Protein is among the important constructing blocks of the human physique, essential for constructing and repairing muscle. In the event you’re enthusiastic about gaining muscle and/or shedding fats, you seemingly understand how necessary it’s to boost your daily intake of this macronutrient. However is there an higher restrict to how much you should consume? How a lot protein is taken into account an excessive amount of?
There are goalposts, however it’s exhausting to go overboard. Right here’s what the specialists say.
Are Excessive-Protein Diets Secure?
Initially, it’s very tough to eat a lot protein that it negatively impacts your well being. Based on a research revealed within the American Journal of Scientific Diet, the common American consumes less than half of what’s broadly thought-about the “higher sure” of protein consumption: 35 p.c of every day energy.
Nevertheless, research counsel that lively folks exceeding that higher sure nonetheless might not see any antagonistic results. In a 2016 study revealed within the Journal of Diet and Metabolism, 14 wholesome, resistance-trained males alternated between months of consuming their regular weight loss plan and a “high-protein weight loss plan” (greater than 3 grams per kilogram of body weight every day). To place that into context, a 154-pound particular person must eat greater than 210 grams of protein per day on this weight loss plan, which is equal to nearly two kilos of hen.
After a 12 months of monitoring the themes, researchers discovered “no dangerous results on measures of blood lipids in addition to liver and kidney operate,” which is the place most antagonistic responses to protein would seem.
Moreover, there may be research suggesting that current suggestions could also be too low for sure populations, together with adults over the age of 65, pregnant and lactating ladies, and wholesome youngsters older than 3 years. So whereas the scientific discourse round how a lot protein is an excessive amount of continues, it’s necessary to acknowledge the rising literature that validates the security and efficacy of high-protein diets for individuals who require extra of it.
3 Results Related With Excessive-Protein Diets
Whereas research have explored potential dangers of an excessive amount of protein, the Dietary Reference Intakes by the Institute of Drugs asserts that there’s “insufficient data” to offer causal relationships between protein and well being problems, thus highlighting the necessity for managed scientific research.
1. Abdomen upset/discomfort
Some folks might expertise gastrointestinal points ensuing from protein supplementation. This can be attributable to the lactose content material in sure protein shakes, corresponding to these containing whey protein concentrate. In these circumstances, utilizing whey protein isolate or plant-based protein is much less more likely to result in these issues, as they comprise much less lactose than whey protein focus or none in any respect.
Potential GI points can come from entire meals as effectively. “In the event you’re consuming an excessive amount of animal-based protein and never sufficient complex carbohydrates, which comprise fiber, you could expertise gentle constipation,” explains Quyen Vu, MS, RDN.
2. Kidney points
Some studies have reported an affiliation between high-protein diets and kidney operate. Nevertheless, it’s “extraordinarily uncommon” for exercisers to develop kidney points or different metabolic issues due to excessive protein consumption, says Glenn Gaesser, PhD, FACSM, professor of train physiology at Arizona State College.
3. Coronary heart points
Some research suggests that consuming extreme protein might have an effect on the cardiovascular system.
“A number of population-based cohort research point out the next untimely mortality threat related to diets which can be excessive in protein, such because the basic low-carb diet, which has far more protein than the standard American weight loss plan,” says Gaesser.
Nevertheless, he continues, “The upper protein consumption, per se, will not be the issue, however quite the opposite traits of the weight loss plan, corresponding to excessive quantities of animal fats and low quantities of fiber-rich foods.”
Can Consuming Too A lot Protein Have an effect on Weight Loss?
In a phrase, sure. Protein is a supply of energy. In case your objective is to drop extra pounds, it’s necessary to create a calorie deficit, a state during which you’re burning extra energy than you’re taking in. In the event you’re consuming a lot protein that it narrows (or erases) your calorie deficit, that may undermine weight reduction.
“Protein not used for the physique’s regular progress and upkeep capabilities could also be used for vitality, if there’s a lack from different sources, and might be transformed to fats,” says Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, CDN, FAND, a registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant dean at New York Institute of Know-how’s College of Well being Professions. “If overconsuming protein leads you to eat extra energy than you want, you’ll achieve weight.”
Nevertheless, protein continues to be an integral a part of most weight reduction efforts. A meta-analysis of 24 research discovered that calorie-restricted, high-protein diets produced extra optimistic modifications to total physique composition than a standard-protein weight loss plan. That is seemingly as a result of protein promotes fullness and may also help protect muscle.
How Do You Know if You’re Consuming Too A lot Protein?
Your first clue will in all probability be a stomachache or another minor gastrointestinal drama. Even in case you have guts of metal, know that it’s attainable to eat extra protein than you may effectively course of.
“Your physique can solely make the most of a specific amount of protein at one sitting — roughly 30 grams,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of New York Diet Group. “That is equal to about 4 ounces of cooked hen breast or cooked fish, one cup of Greek yogurt, or two cups of black beans.”
It’s additionally necessary to house protein consumption all through the day as a result of our bodies don’t retailer extra protein.
“I see rather a lot in my observe that athletes attempt to pack of their protein consumption in a single or a few meals,” says Maddi Osburn, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Wichita, Kansas. “If an athlete overconsumes protein in a single or two meals, they received’t be getting essentially the most optimum muscle progress response, and will probably be both excreted or saved as fats. As well as, consuming an excessive amount of protein may displace different necessary vitamins — like carbohydrates, fat, and fiber — which can be simply as necessary for optimum restoration and efficiency.”
