Protein is without doubt one of the important constructing blocks of the human physique, essential for constructing and repairing muscle. Should you’re fascinated with gaining muscle and/or shedding fats, you doubtless understand how essential it’s to spice up your each day consumption of this macronutrient. However is there an higher restrict to how a lot you need to eat? How a lot protein is taken into account an excessive amount of?
There are goalposts, but it surely’s onerous to go overboard. Right here’s what the specialists say.
Are Excessive-Protein Diets Secure?
To begin with, it’s very tough to eat a lot protein that it negatively impacts your well being. Based on a examine revealed within the American Journal of Scientific Vitamin, the typical American consumes lower than half of what’s broadly thought-about the “higher certain” of protein consumption: 35 % of each day energy.
Nevertheless, research recommend that energetic individuals exceeding that higher certain nonetheless might not see any antagonistic results. In a 2016 examine revealed within the Journal of Vitamin and Metabolism, 14 wholesome, resistance-trained males alternated between months of consuming their regular weight-reduction plan and a “high-protein weight-reduction plan” (greater than 3 grams per kilogram of body weight each day). To place that into context, a 154-pound particular person must eat greater than 210 grams of protein per day on this weight-reduction 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 perform,” which is the place most antagonistic responses to protein would seem.
Moreover, there may be analysis 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 essential to acknowledge the rising literature that validates the security and efficacy of high-protein diets for many 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 Medication asserts that there’s “inadequate knowledge” to supply causal relationships between protein and well being problems, thus highlighting the necessity for managed medical research.
1. Abdomen upset/discomfort
Some individuals might expertise gastrointestinal points ensuing from protein supplementation. This can be attributable to the lactose content material in sure protein shakes, akin to these containing whey protein focus. In these instances, utilizing whey protein isolate or plant-based protein is much less more likely to result in these issues, as they include much less lactose than whey protein focus or none in any respect.
Potential GI points can come from entire meals as properly. “Should you’re consuming an excessive amount of animal-based protein and never sufficient advanced carbohydrates, which include fiber, it’s possible you’ll expertise gentle constipation,” explains Quyen Vu, MS, RDN.
2. Kidney points
Some research have reported an affiliation between high-protein diets and kidney perform. Nevertheless, it’s “extraordinarily uncommon” for exercisers to develop kidney points or different metabolic problems due to excessive protein consumption, says Glenn Gaesser, PhD, FACSM, professor of train physiology at Arizona State College.
3. Coronary heart points
Some analysis suggests that consuming extreme protein might have an effect on the cardiovascular system.
“A number of population-based cohort research point out a better untimely mortality danger related to diets which are excessive in protein, such because the traditional low-carb weight-reduction plan, which has way more protein than the standard American weight-reduction plan,” says Gaesser.
Nevertheless, he continues, “The upper protein consumption, per se, is probably not the issue, however relatively the opposite traits of the weight-reduction plan, akin to excessive quantities of animal fats and low quantities of fiber-rich meals.”
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 purpose is to shed extra pounds, it’s essential to create a calorie deficit, a state wherein you’re burning extra energy than you’re taking in. Should 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 traditional progress and upkeep capabilities could also be used for vitality, if there’s a lack from different sources, and may be transformed to fats,” says Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, CDN, FAND, a registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant dean at New York Institute of Expertise’s Faculty 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 constructive adjustments to total physique composition than a standard-protein weight-reduction plan. That is doubtless as a result of protein promotes fullness and may help protect muscle.
How Do You Know if You’re Consuming Too A lot Protein?
Your first clue will most likely be a stomachache or another minor gastrointestinal drama. Even if in case you have guts of metal, know that it’s doable to eat extra protein than you’ll be able to effectively course of.
“Your physique can solely make the most of a certain quantity of protein at one sitting — roughly 30 grams,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of New York Vitamin 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 essential 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 follow 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 essential vitamins — like carbohydrates, fats, and fiber — which are simply as essential for optimum restoration and efficiency.”