Protein toxicity

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Protein toxicity is the effect of the buildup of protein metabolic waste compounds, like urea, uric acid, ammonia, and creatinine. Protein toxicity has many causes, including urea cycle disorders, genetic mutations, excessive protein intake, and insufficient kidney function, such as chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. Symptoms of protein toxicity include unexplained vomiting and loss of appetite. Untreated protein toxicity can lead to serious complications such as seizures, encephalopathy, further kidney damage, and even death. One form of protein toxicity, called "protein poisoning" or "rabbit starvation", was described by arctic explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson as occurring when a person survives on lean animals such as rabbit, without consuming sufficient fats or carbohydrates over an endured period. This form of acute malnutrition results from a very high proportion of dietary protein rather than a lack of calories, despite adequate food intake.

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