Is there such thing as too much protein?

purplespeckle

Just curious.

Lyadeia

Eating 50% or more of your calories from protein for over a month straight can cause kidney issues, but it is usually when you do it long term...like much more than just a month.

My nutritionist told me to eat about 35% of my daily calories from protein, and I have seen no adverse reactions from it. In fact, both she and my doctor say that I eat a good diet and should continue eating as I eat since it is making me healthy.

NightOwl1

No, there is no such thing as too much protein. The kidney thing is a myth, not backed up by science.

Look at myth #1 http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/15-worst-health-diet-myths

dave4d

It depends on your goals. There can be too much of anything. If you go over on your calories it is too much. If proteins were all you ate it could be too much. Some balance is good. I try for anywhere between 1 gram to 2 grams per pound of lean body mass. Your body does need other nutrients though, so make room for your veggies, healthy fats and carbs. If you are planning on doing marathons, you will want more carbs due to the extra cardio.

MobiusMan

No, there is no such thing as too much protein. The kidney thing is a myth, not backed up by science.

Look at myth #1 http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/15-worst-health-diet-myths

Thank you. I was going there.

TropicalKitty

It's not so much the problem of too much protein, but the exess nitrogen waste that can come about when you combine it with hard workouts that breakdown skeletal muscle.

I have a friend who ended up with stomach issues after having too much protein at once - huge dose right after gym, followed by a large protein-laden dinner.

Anyway, nature has a nifty way of regulating how much protein you eat - that's why it's the most satiating macronutrient. Most people really don't have to worry about it.

Sumo813

No, there is no such thing as too much protein. The kidney thing is a myth, not backed up by science.

Look at myth #1 http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/15-worst-health-diet-myths

First and foremost - Dave Z is the man!

That said, there are in fact downsides to eating too much protein. In a nutrition course which was required as one of my science electives, it talked about over-consumption of protein and how many hunters/trappers who lived primarily on protein were subjected to serious health issues. I forget the name of the disease though. I'll have to dig for the book and follow up.

One thing to always be aware of is putting yourself into an extended period of Ketosis, which can have serious effects on your kidneys if your diet isn't well rounded (the old saying "everything in moderation" plays quite nicely here). Aside from that, your body can only absorb x amount of anything at any given time. The extra is excreted.

Here are some decent links which go into good explanations for both sides of the argument (however, most emphasize a well balanced diet and provide good explanations why).

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-protein-diets/AN00847

http://www.fwhc.org/health/high-protein-diet.htm

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/eating-too-much-protein.html

http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Side_Effects_of_Too_Much_Protein_in_the_Diet

http://www.dietpolicy.com/diets-articles/dangers-high-protein-diet.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002467.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50900

http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2011/01/eating_too_much_protein_is_ris.html

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11234

JDizzIe

Guess it depends on how much protein you're talking about but I would say that yes, you can have too much protein. Like others have said, you should eat a well balanced diet, you wont get all the nutrition you need just from protein. If you have kidney or liver issues, then yes excess protein can be a problem. In the long run, a protein dominate diet is not the best choice because your brain runs on carbs!