As we all know, protein is one of the most important nutrients in the human body. Without protein a human body would not be able to function at all. People who don’t consume enough protein usually have a lot of health problems.
Athletes and bodybuilders believe that a high-protein diet is most important for their training and physical performance. But, what will happen if we eat too much protein? Is it good to eat large amounts of protein? How to determine how much protein is too much?
In this article you will find out more about protein and its influence on your health. We will tell you how much protein is enough to eat and what can happen if you eat too much of this important nutrient.
More about Protein
As we have already said, proteins are essential nutrients for our bodies. Proteins are large molecules that are made up of smaller molecules called amino acids. Studies have shown that there are about 20 amino acids that our bodies are using to make protein. When we eat protein our bodies break apart the amino acids and send them to different parts of our bodies.
You should always have in mind that your body needs protein. Protein can serve as a fuel source in the body, but it also helps in building body tissues. Amino acids are most important for building your muscles and bones. Protein is especially beneficial for aging males, because it helps preserve lean muscle that is usually lost with age. The most important animal protein sources are meats, eggs, fish and diary products. When it comes to plant-based proteins, the most important sources are legumes, grains and nuts.
Is It Good To Eat Too Much Protein?
This question is quite controversial. It is not easy to say if high protein diet is unsafe, but most studies have shown that moderation is the key of a good health. Although protein is a very important nutrient, too much protein is not good for your health. It may have some adverse effects.
When you eat more protein than your body needs, this protein will be stored as a fat.
Have in mind that protein has 4 calories per gram, so eating too much protein can lead to obesity. Weight gain is a primary concern for nutritionists when it comes to excessive protein intake. But, have in mind that the more muscles you have, the more proteins your body will use and the more calories you will burn.
High protein diets are usually based on protein that comes from animal sources. This protein is rich in saturated fats and it can lead to a heart disease.
Also, when you take in too much protein, your kidneys will go into overdrive in order to get rid of the extra nitrogen. This won’t be so harmful in the short run, but if you are on a high-protein diet for a longer period of time, then your kidneys may be damaged. It is known that when you eat too much protein your body has to remove more nitrogen products from your blood because too much nitrogen may be toxic and stress your kidneys. Because of that, your body will lose water and other fluids to flush the nitrogen out. This way, you will be thirsty and dehydrated.
Too much protein can also lead to indigestion and nausea. Your digestive system will not be able to digest all the proteins you take in. Because of that, you may have different problems in your gastrointestinal tract.
A research has also shown that people whose diet is rich in animal protein are more likely to develop cancer. It is especially dangerous for mails, because there is a relationship between prostate cancer and high protein intake. If not treated on time, the consequences may be fatal. Although protein is generally safe, too much protein can increase the risk of death. Some studies conducted in Japan have also shown that high protein diet is related to diabetes.
Although athletes and bodybuilders consider that large amounts of protein are completely safe for them, it is not true. Too much protein is not beneficial for our health and it could be harmful, as we have already seen above.
What Is the Recommended Daily Dose of Protein?
There are many ways to determine how much protein is too much. According to some researches, the recommended daily dose of protein is 0,8 g per one kilogram of body weight.
An average person should consume 40 to 70 grams of protein per day. But, this rule doesn’t apply to bodybuilders who have different lifestyles than other people. People who exercise aggressively as well as pregnant women should take in more protein. It is recommended to consume more water during periods when your intake of protein is increased. Many studies have shown that people generally consume more protein than they need for optimal health. The worst thing is that protein usually comes from poor quality meats.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, too much protein can be very bad for your health. It can lead to weight gain, kidney damage and dehydration of your body. Because of that, you should limit the amount of protein food that you eat.
As long as you eat protein in moderation, your muscles and bones will be strong and your overall health will be good.
