Protein - lots and lots of it

milliondays · September 2014

I usually have very high protein numbers. I read that too much protein can blow up your liver - or something similar. Are there MFP members who have lots and lots of protein every day and are feeling fine?

I'm 52, weigh around 130, 5'5'', and eat more than 100 grams per day. I'm not on low carb, I just love protein.

AmandaLou4319 · September 2014

My protein goal is one gram of protein for each pound of body weight. So that is 150 grams for me. I have been been doing this for the last 5 months.

I feel satisfied and energized. I tend to be lower on the carbs, but not on purpose.

I enjoy it!

KarenJanine · September 2014

Been eating around 120 - 150g per day for around two years. Liver hasn't blown up yet.

Unknown · September 2014

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giggitygoo · September 2014

I'm 5'1, 110# and get 140-130 on most days.

No liver failure via explosion yet.

djpro1337 · September 2014

I've never heard that, and I've been around a while. I eat about 200-230g of protein a day. I'm perfectly healthy.

Cait_Sidhe · September 2014

People who are already in kidney or liver failure do have to limit their protein intake.

If you have healthy kidneys and liver you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Eating 100+g of protein per day will help you maintain any lean muscle mass you already have.

sympha01 · September 2014

Technically it's your kidneys, not your liver. And the danger is more a matter of /IF YOUR KIDNEYS ARE ALREADY COMPROMISED/ excess protein can "stress" them, which would not be good.

The question of how much is "too much" though is not well understood. There's a wide range of ideas, from 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of bodyweight (this being the most common recommendation) as a MINIMUM, and generally for sedentary individuals, though often misunderstood as a maximum or optimum; to 1.5 grams of protein per POUND of LEAN MASS.

So on the low end, if you are sedentary, 47.2 grams would be an absolute minimum for you. Up to >150ish maybe if you are very active and also eating at a caloric deficit, depending on your bodyfat %.

100 grams of protein a day is absolutely fine assuming you do not already have known kidney problems.

bajoyba · September 2014

Protein can be hard on your kidneys if you have certain medical conditions or if you eat super ridiculous amounts of protein. But 100-ish grams of protein isn't really THAT much protein. I'm a vegetarian and I aim for 80 grams as a minimum.

newdaydawning79 · September 2014

I looked around a bit before responding because I wanted to have an idea of what was safe. I found an article that said this:

"The 2006 review published in the “International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism” suggests limiting protein intake to 2.5 grams per kilogram of body weight, or about 1.14 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily, to avoid protein toxicity. This amount is equivalent to 171 grams of protein per day for a 150-pound adult."

I found that here, for reference: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/safe-upper-intake-level-protein-8638.html

According to your stats that you put here and the 100g/day you mentioned, you're good to go!

MityMax96 · September 2014

I usually have very high protein numbers. I read that too much protein can blow up your liver - or something similar. Are there MFP members who have lots and lots of protein every day and are feeling fine?

I'm 52, weigh around 130, 5'5'', and eat more than 100 grams per day. I'm not on low carb, I just love protein.

I take in over 200 gr / day....
Sometimes 300.....

I have not seen any studies where high protein caused and medical conditions of liver or kidneys

RHachicho · September 2014

As a general rule of thumb the following applies to anything edible.

1. Someone somewhere will tell you it is terrible for you,. Will cause cancer,obesity and/or diabetes. Or will wreck one of your precious organs.

2. Someone somewhere will tell you it's awesome for you. Is the cure for cancer. Will make weight fall off you. Has magical chemicals which will make unicorns shoot out of your butt-hole or something.

The truth is excessive protein only really has one bad side effect ... smelly farts. With protein it is far better to go a bit over than to go under.

cajuntank · September 2014

Also, as you get older, your body becomes less protein sensitive, so thus the need for slightly more. So the younger you are, the less you need... the older you are, the more you need.

Google Eric Helms on the topic of protein. He is one of the foremost nutrition authorities on the matter for more detail if interested.

independant2406 · September 2014

Unless you have kidney disease - protein is great for you.

Go to scholar.google.com and search for "high protein diet" and you'll find lots of scientific studies from respected universities and health organizations that support high protein intake.

bfergusonii · September 2014

As a general rule of thumb the following applies to anything edible.

1. Someone somewhere will tell you it is terrible for you,. Will cause cancer,obesity and/or diabetes. Or will wreck one of your precious organs.

2. Someone somewhere will tell you it's awesome for you. Is the cure for cancer. Will make weight fall off you. Has magical chemicals which will make unicorns shoot out of your butt-hole or something.

The truth is excessive protein only really has one bad side effect ... smelly farts. With protein it is far better to go a bit over than to go under.

^^This. Exactly this.

AJ_G · September 2014

http://www.biolayne.com/uncategorized/myths-surrounding-high-protein-diet-safety/

formerfatboy1 · September 2014

My protein intake is pretty high and has been for the past 1,000 days. I feel fine. I Keep my intake high and carbs low with high fat as well. No problems here!

SabrinaLily · September 2014

I try to eat 100 grams a day and love it when I can surpass that number. Only eating 1,200 calories a day (though I always go over that) can make it kind of tough to pack in numbers much higher than 100.

alijoanxo · September 2014

Back when I first started my weight loss journey I had a phase where I ate way too much protein. It wasn't a goal to consume so much, it's just what happened. I felt fine, but I had protein and ketones in my urine. I backed off on protein a little after that discovery. I couldn't tell you exactly how much protein I was taking in back then, but I'm 5'6" and weighed about 170 lb then.

Also a friend of mine was over-using protein powder and was admitted to the hospital due to kidney problems.
I'd say protein, like anything else, needs to be consumed in moderation. Too much, or too little of anything is never very good.

UsedToBeHusky · September 2014

Protein doesn't cause liver problems so long as its balanced with carbs. You actually need extra energy to process protein.

Kalikel · September 2014

Just as a word of advice - you can have a liver problem and feel fine.

Liver problems are always serious because they're difficult, if not impossible, to treat.

I have no comment on your diet, but liver problems...they're no joke. And feeling well makes no difference. You can feel well and be dead two weeks later.

mccindy72 · September 2014

protein needs and intake also depend on your activity level. I intake higher levels of protein on the days when I lift. but of all the things to worry about eating.... and really, all things in moderation. Everything is different for each person. Determine the macro levels that are right for you. Take the time, do the work, and you'll know you're safe.

RHachicho · September 2014

Just as a word of advice - you can have a liver problem and feel fine.

Liver problems are always serious because they're difficult, if not impossible, to treat.

I have no comment on your diet, but liver problems...they're no joke. And feeling well makes no difference. You can feel well and be dead two weeks later.

Everything you just said is true. However please acknowledge the caveat that there is absolutely no scientific evidence whatsoever that protein consumption. At any level damages the liver. And many, many studies and tests have been done. The fact that high protein is harmless to your body is in fact one of the things most people are quite sure of.

Kalikel · September 2014

Just as a word of advice - you can have a liver problem and feel fine.

Liver problems are always serious because they're difficult, if not impossible, to treat.

I have no comment on your diet, but liver problems...they're no joke. And feeling well makes no difference. You can feel well and be dead two weeks later.

Everything you just said is true. However please acknowledge the caveat that there is absolutely no scientific evidence whatsoever that protein consumption. At any level damages the liver. And many, many studies and tests have been done. The fact that high protein is harmless to your body is in fact one of the things most people are quite sure of.

That's not really a caveat, even if it's true.

I'm not an expert nor have I ever seriously studied nutrition/protein intake, so have no advice or opinion on eating excessive amounts of protein.

I was addressing the "feeling fine" comment as it relates to the liver. Feeling fine is not always the same as being disease free, especially where the liver is concerned. But it goes for so many things. People have no idea how often someone gets sick and is dead two weeks later. A lot of it could've been prevented (or at least treated!) if they'd had their yearly physical.

Feeling well is NEVER proof of being disease-free.

Chieflrg · September 2014

I have just about always eaten 200+ grams of protein daily for probably more years you've been alive. I believe sources say around 300g and you would be stressing your liver.

* Edit as you've been alive for 52, I've been eating that for at least 30 years.

** If you're not making a huge jump, I wouldn't be concerned. I also recommend eating plenty of fiber along with plenty of water if you do.

milliondays · September 2014

I don't think I ever went above 200. Some people eat a lot less protein to lose weight. When I was on low carb, I tried and was miserable. No carb, no protein, I was left with butter only. Very sad.

So I'm hoping that my kidneys, liver & the rest of my organs continue to cooperate.

milliondays · September 2014

Onelast question - if this thread is still somewhat alive.

What would be "too much protein" for someone like me? Female, 52, 5'5'', about 130 (don't weigh myself very often anymore), active?

rosebette · September 2014

I have trouble meeting my protein macros on the calories I'm allowed every day, so congratulations on meeting your goal!

cajuntank · September 2014

Onelast question - if this thread is still somewhat alive.

What would be "too much protein" for someone like me? Female, 52, 5'5'', about 130 (don't weigh myself very often anymore), active?

I think it comes into the context of how much protein (and assuming you are not eating so lean a protein all the time that you aren't getting enough fat (Google rabbit starvation)) are you willing to eat within your allotment of daily calories that would have negative effect due to lack of other nutrients and fiber derived from vegetable and fruit?

You are bound to your daily caloric allotment based on your goal of either weight gain, weight loss, or weight maintenance. So to be simplistic, if your goal is weight loss and your daily allotment is 1500 calories and you eat 1600 calories worth of protein (and thus also some assumed fat), then you ate too much protein for your goals.

If you want a general recommendation by someone with a Ph.D. in the matter of protein intake, then Google Eric Helms or Layne Norton.

Good series by Eric on YouTube dealing with calories and macronutrient intake (this is part 2, but I would recommend watching the entire series)