Actually, multiple studies have concluded that healthy individuals will not develop kidney disease or impaired kidney function from increased protein intake (1)(2)(3). Yes, kidneys play a crucial role in metabolizing and excreting the nitrogen byproducts from protein digestion. However, this doesn't mean that consuming extra protein is harmful to kidney function, as healthy kidneys have the ability to adapt to an increase in protein intake by metabolizing protein more efficiently.
That said, high-protein intake can be harmful to individuals who already have chronic kidney disease and damaged kidney function. Therefore, if you've been prescribed a low-protein diet due to impaired renal function, exercise caution, consult a healthcare professional, and be sure to include any hydrolyzed collagen consumption in calculating your overall protein intake.
References:
Juraschek, S, Appel, L, et al. (2012). Effect of a high-protein diet on kidney function in healthy adults: results from the OmniHeart trial.
Landau, D, Rabkin, R (2013). Effect of nutritional status and changes in protein intake on renal function.
Levey, A, Adler, S (1996). Effects of dietary protein restriction on the progression of advanced renal disease in the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study.