Is to much protein a bad thing?

megganwinland

I always find myself eating to much protein almost everyday. Is this going to reduce the amount of weight loss?

gp79

How much protein are you consuming and what do you consider too much.

What's your height / weight and body fat?

frugal2

I've never heard anything bad about too much protein alone. If you're only eating protein and it's causing you to not get enough other nutrient like fiber...maybe. I've heard some say that protein is harder for your liver to process, but i've never read anything concrete on it.

tonykozak

no....not a bad thing depending on total calorie intake. if it is a significantly large amount,,,,it is a waste, because a body can normally only process about 80 grams per sitting......but is better to do that than go over on the total fat intake for the day. hope this helps

spiritcrusher

Absolutely fine, don't even worry about it.

megganwinland

I weigh 170lbs and I am 5'8 I'm taking in anywhere between 15-20g to much everyday.

mkennedym

actually too much protein can cause kidney problems and a study by Nurses Health shows that too much protein in women can actually leech calcium from your bones if you do not get enough calcium in your diet.

sources

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/protein/

YeaILift

no....not a bad thing depending on total calorie intake. if it is a significantly large amount,,,,it is a waste, because a body can normally only process about 80 grams per sitting......but is better to do that than go over on the total fat intake for the day. hope this helps

So if I eat all my protein in <30min for the day (230g) I am going to lose all my muscles since I only absorb 80g of it ????

mkennedym

20 grams probably isn't a huge deal but i'd read some health studies on protein intake if you keep up eating too much protein and find out what the long term effects could possibly be and what the threshold (how much over) is for protein intake before it becomes unhealthy.

megganwinland

well i will just watch my protein intake a little more... and try to stay as close to the recommended daily intake as possible.

YeaILift

20 grams probably isn't a huge deal but i'd read some health studies on protein intake if you keep up eating too much protein and find out what the long term effects could possibly be and what the threshold (how much over) is for protein intake before it becomes unhealthy.

I would love a link to the research.

bamagirl2020

I was wondering the same exact thing earlier. I've tried searching on the internet but it seems every website I go to has a different opinion. I go over on protein EVERY day. Today I went over by 50 but I still stayed under my calorie, carb, and fat limits.

KarenLouise1981

Too much protein can put additional stress on your liver and kidneys while they try to expel the waste produsts but unless you were eating way too much or have a kidney/liver condition I wouldn't worry too much about an extra 20g or so. Rule of thumb is about 1g per lb of body weight (i think that is right? Somebody please correct me if im not - I still have run head on!). Just make sure you have plenty of water to help flush you out. I love protein after my workouts and god knows my poor muscles need it and the calcium and carbs from the milk with it! Happy training!

RiiNaCHiiCK09

protein helps u build muscle!!! dnt worry bout it. if u were eating like 100s over ur recommend protein intake, that might be bad. Oh nd if u work out a lot, its sooo fine to eat lots of protein. they dnt make protein shakes for nothing!

megganwinland

well I tend to workout 2-3 hours 5 nights a week so I guess ima be fine thanks everyone for all this great information!

spiritcrusher

Some of the responses in this thread are flat out wrong. This thread comes up daily.

1) Protein is the only macronutrient that is near impossible to turn into fat without pathways provided by excessive carbohydrates.

2) MFP has a very low default % for protein

3) Excessive amounts of protein is no where near 15-20g or even 60g.

There is no legitimate study that shows that high protein intake causes kidney damage. In fact, a quick webmd / google search will show multiple case studies with group studies on protein intake. No one had impaired kidney function.

Ida13

I struggle to get my daily recommended protein allowance in! Normally not even halfway! I changed my nutritional goals to those percentages for a high oxidizer (which I am, and apparently most women are).

Maybe you're not having too much. Find out which type of oxidizer you are (google it ) and then go to http://www.freedieting.com/tools/nutrient_calculator.htm to work out exact amounts of grams based on percentages and your calorie goal.

I know my result really pushed up my protein allowance, and now I'm struggling, while my carbs are ALWAYS over! There are carbs in damn everything!

triannataylor

I'm in healthcare and I can tell you all the evidence points to NOT going over your recommended protein. You can actually go into renal failure and die from too many protein shakes (okay, this is a little melodramatic but seriously it can happen!!).

RiiNaCHiiCK09

I'm in healthcare and I can tell you all the evidence points to NOT going over your recommended protein. You can actually go into renal failure and die from too many protein shakes (okay, this is a little melodramatic but seriously it can happen!!).

it can happen buuuuut MFP lowers protein intake by a lot. And if ur in healthcare, i think u cud kno we need protein to help rebuild muscle after working it out. Goibg over by just a few isn't going to hurt. Maybe if you eat chicken for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that might be bad but not just going over by 100 or less...

spiritcrusher

I'm in healthcare and I can tell you all the evidence points to NOT going over your recommended protein. You can actually go into renal failure and die from too many protein shakes (okay, this is a little melodramatic but seriously it can happen!!).

No offense but being in healthcare doesn't mean anything and your post is pure nonsense. Even a nutritionist will tell you that.

Unless a person already has kidney problems or is prone to them, going over your protein will NEVER cause renal failure.

There are case studies all over the web, some that prove that even 3g per lb of protein did not cause any changes in kidney function compared to those who took .7g per lb.

I do 200g~ daily, and up to 350g when I bulk and I get my bloodwork done every 6 months. I've never had any changes in kidney function.

I've also been drinking 2-3 protein shakes a day for the last 2 years.

There's even more info that the Daily Reference Values that the FDA provides for protein is the bare minimum.

mkennedym

Some of the responses in this thread are flat out wrong. This thread comes up daily.

1) Protein is the only macronutrient that is near impossible to turn into fat without pathways provided by excessive carbohydrates.

2) MFP has a very low default % for protein

3) Excessive amounts of protein is no where near 15-20g or even 60g.

There is no legitimate study that shows that high protein intake causes kidney damage. In fact, a quick webmd / google search will show multiple case studies with group studies on protein intake. No one had impaired kidney function.

you shouldn't rely too heavily on google or webmd.

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

or you can use lexis nexis and search health databases for actual abstracts from medical journals. too much protein can weaken your liver and kidneys.

mkennedym

and here is more from WebMD

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

cabbie461

Consult a dietician. excessive protein in an unbalanced diet can cause health problems but you need to talk to the experts. Then leave that expert and go talk to another. balance up the advice and do what you think is best for you.

YeaILift

Some of the responses in this thread are flat out wrong. This thread comes up daily.

1) Protein is the only macronutrient that is near impossible to turn into fat without pathways provided by excessive carbohydrates.

2) MFP has a very low default % for protein

3) Excessive amounts of protein is no where near 15-20g or even 60g.

There is no legitimate study that shows that high protein intake causes kidney damage. In fact, a quick webmd / google search will show multiple case studies with group studies on protein intake. No one had impaired kidney function.

you shouldn't rely too heavily on google or webmd.

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

or you can use lexis nexis and search health databases for actual abstracts from medical journals. too much protein can weaken your liver and kidneys.

References for that article:
1.Kushner RF, et al. Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets revisited. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. 2008;24:198.
2.Brehm BJ, et al. Benefits of high-protein weight loss diets: Enough evidence for practice? Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity. 2008;15:416.
3.Last AR, et al. Low-carbohydrate diets. American Family Physician. 2006;73:1942.
4.Nelson JK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 29, 2010
5.Astrup A, et al. Atkins and other low-carbohydrate diets: Hoax or an effective tool for weight loss? The Lancet. 2004;364:897.
6.Walker C, et al. Diets for cardiovascular disease prevention: What is the evidence? American Family Physician. 2009;79:571.
7.Westerterp-Planteng MS, et al. Dietary protein, weight loss, and weight maintenance. Annual Review of Nutrition. 2009;29:21.
8.Anderson CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 19, 2010.

Which source is a study on high-protein causing damage to the kidneys? (if you pick 4 or 8, you're wrong and they're wrong)

YeaILift

and here is more from WebMD

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

This article references a ketogenic diet as a high protein diet which simply isn't true. Ketogenic is a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet. Also, the only adverse effects on the kidneys mentioned are the cause of dehydration, not from too much protein.

thkelly

I'm in healthcare and I can tell you all the evidence points to NOT going over your recommended protein. You can actually go into renal failure and die from too many protein shakes (okay, this is a little melodramatic but seriously it can happen!!).

wow it's a bro-science convention in this thread

1FITmamaofTWINS

GOD you people are idiots (sorry!!!) yes, extended amounts of protein over a long period of time has been shown to cause kidney problems...

can you consume to much protein by accident? HELL NO! NOT EVEN CLOSE!

you should get at LEAST one gram per lb of ideal body weight. (ex: if you want to weigh 120lbs you MUST consume at least 120 grams of protein per day)

to make it simple-- EAT LOTS OF PROTEIN!!!! IT WILL AID IN MUSCLE GROWTH AND HELP PREVENT MUSCLE LOSS WHICH IS EASY TO DO WHEN YOU ARE CUTTING CALORIES...

EATTTTTT PROTEINNNNNNNNNNN LOTS OF IT

YeaILift

GOD you people are idiots (sorry!!!) yes, extended amounts of protein over a long period of time has been shown to cause kidney problems...

can you consume to much protein by accident? HELL NO! NOT EVEN CLOSE!

you should get at LEAST one gram per lb of ideal body weight. (ex: if you want to weigh 120lbs you MUST consume at least 120 grams of protein per day)

to make it simple-- EAT LOTS OF PROTEIN!!!! IT WILL AID IN MUSCLE GROWTH AND HELP PREVENT MUSCLE LOSS WHICH IS EASY TO DO WHEN YOU ARE CUTTING CALORIES...

EATTTTTT PROTEINNNNNNNNNNN LOTS OF IT

I suggest you provide some evidence instead of just resorting to name calling.

mkennedym

since you won't take "expert opinions"

Eisenstein, Julie, Roberts, Dallal, Saltzman. "High-protein Weight-loss Diets: Are They Safe and Do They Work? A Review of the Experimental and Epidemiologic Data." Nutrition Reviews, Jul 2002, Vol 60 Issue 7, 189-200.

author's abstract
From the available data, however, it is evident that the consumption of protein greater than two to three times the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance contributes to urinary calcium loss and may, in the long term, predispose to bone loss. Caution with these diets is recommended in those individuals who may be predisposed to nephrolithiasis or kidney disease, and particularly in those with diabetes mellitus.

"High Protein Diets Risky for Bones and Kidneys." Good Medicine, Winter 2003, Vol 12 Issue 1.

Presents an overview of the result of a study on the effect of low-carbohydrate high-protein diets on acid-base balance, stone-forming property and calcium metabolism of bones and kidneys conducted by S. T. Reddy et. al., which was published in the 'American Journal of Kidney Diseases' in 2002.

"Yet Another Health Organization Criticizes High-Protein Diets." Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter. Dec 2001 Vol 19 Issue 10.

Evaluates the effects of high-protein diets in the U.S. Influence in the progression of kidney diseases; Ability to clog up arteries; Loss of calcium in the urine.

"TOO MUCH PROTEIN MAY CAUSE REDUCED KIDNEY FUNCTION." New Vegetarian & Natural Health. Winter 2003, p11.

Reports on the findings of a research regarding a link between high-protein diets and kidney function decline. Risk factor on the source and type of protein; Inquiry on the long-term health outcomes.

Now, when people in this thread said something to the effect of "you can eat as much protein as you want, don't worry about it" that isn't technically correct. My point for the OP wasn't that 20 grams extra a day is going to cause kidney problems or any other problems, as 20 grams isn't that much, but to the people who told her that she could eat as much protein as she wants and not have to worry about it, that's just not sound advice.

thkelly

holy crap. it's not like she's going to eat 500 grams of protein a day. she could easily double her protein intake and she would be fine. it's not like they're telling her to eat as much protein as she wants based on a 5000 calorie diet.

mkennedym

actually, if the daily recommended amount of protein is 40-70 grams a day, 2-3 times that is only 80-140 or 120-210 grams a day.

http://exercise.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&amp;zTi=1&amp;sdn=exercise&amp;cdn=health&amp;tm=85&amp;f=20&amp;su=p284.9.336.ip_p674.8.336.ip_&amp;tt=2&amp;bt=0&amp;bts=0&amp;zu=http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/protein-requirement.php