Tomorrow's NephJC discussion is on dietary protein and red meat and the risk of CKD. JASN published an editorial that discusses possible mechanisms for this connection:

high dietary acid is associated with increased ESRD risk in adults with CKD.9 Ingested animal-sourced protein yields acid when metabolized, whereas most plant-sourced protein yields base.

The authors point out that the increased red meat consumption that was associated with kidney disease was also associated with decreased intke and fruit vegetable consumption. Could this phenomena be more due the lack of fruits and vegetables than the increased red meat consumption. See Matt Spark's DreamRCT from last year for more details.