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MyFitnessPal Community

Is too much protein bad for weight loss?

kimharrison22

I usually drink protein shakes in the morning, and by the end of the day, I find I am usually way over my daily recommended amount of protein. Does anyone know if this will help or hurt my weight loss goals?

Replies

Dilfster

i don't know. i was going to post this exact question...i don't see harm in it as long as calories and fat are down (but thats just gut instinct)

itsuki

No, being over your protein is fine - in fact I believe MFP under-estimates how much protein a healthy person should have in a day. As long as you're not way over for your calories, you're fine.

osc79

i agree with itsuki

yesthistime

No, being over your protein is fine - in fact I believe MFP under-estimates how much protein a healthy person should have in a day. As long as you're not way over for your calories, you're fine.

I agree. My protein % is set too low and my carbohydrate % is too high on MFP.

MrsKosal

I run into the same problem!

soho71

It depends on how much protein you're considering too much. A gram per pound seems quite healthy in maintaining lean muscle, but excess of that can cause health issue. It's not common, but gout has been known to occur with too much protein.

BrianSharpe

Everything I read seems pretty consistent, the RDA is .8 grams protein for every kg of body mass (.36g / lb) and that protein should not exceed 30% of your total calories (slightly higher for body builders) and there are health risks associated with consuming too much protein - most notably kidney damage. What I haven't found is at what threshold one might be incurring a health risk (in my case I'm a little over 200 lbs so at .8g/kg my target would be about 74 g, if I use 30% of 1720 cal (4 cal per g) my maximum would be 516/4 or 129g That's quite a variance, no wonder people are confused)

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

http://www.daveywaveyfitness.com/nutrition/8-side-effects-of-too-much-protein/

http://www.ehow.com/about_4741143_effects-much-protein-diet.html

http://weighttraining.about.com/od/nutritionforweights/qt/protein_howmuch.htm

Saruman_w

Nope. Keep the intake up, it's good for you.

tgzerozone

It depends on how much protein you're considering too much. A gram per pound seems quite healthy in maintaining lean muscle, but excess of that can cause health issue. It's not common, but gout has been known to occur with too much protein.

I have (maybe had) a high Uric acid problem. Gout and heartburn was part of my life. Went to doc and he said I should cut the protein. What I then went and did was up the protein to insane levels and start weight training very hard. I still get the odd heartburn, maybe once a week instead of several times a day before I started weight training.

So yes, it does seem that high protein elevates the acid, but somehow for me, exercising seems to cancel it out. All the protein now gets used I guess! hehe.

karenhs2

For me, I found I do better with protein at every meal and needed a higher goal that MFP defaults. I went in and changed my ratio to 45/25/30 Carb/Protein/Fat. I am not saying this is the best ratio for everyone. It is what works well for me right now. When I get closer to my weight goals, I will likely have to reduce the carbs and up the protein some to something like 40/30/30 which doesn't sound a lot different but takes more effort and focus on my part. You will want to do your own research. But if you want to change the MFP goals, go to Goals, Change Goals, Custom and you can change the ratios.

tgzerozone

I do 40/40/20.

juicemoogan

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/516122-too-much-protien

sweetsierra

Everybody is different, but I have found with a high protein diet, I lose weight like crazy! I don't eat meat except for tuna fish tho. And I eat eggs. I think a diet high in red meat is not very good for you, so try to get more from plant-based sources like beans and quinoa.

tgzerozone

Everyone seems to lose on higher protein though yes, It just depends how much you eat though in the end. I eat 3500 calories on 40/40/20 so no losing there.

cheyniemama

Bodies prefer to use carbs and fats for energy...and will only use protein for energy if it has to.

Excess protein not used is stored as fat, just like all other types of excess calories.

The guy who said .8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight was spot on with what I have been studying in nutrition.

(However this is for HEALTHY weight people...overweight people need less, because more of their body is fat, not muscle)

I read it was not good to go over double the .8 per kilo.

There you have it...do what you will with the info.

I'm no expert, but this is what I have been studying in school this semester

(To get your weight in kilograms, divide your body weight in pounds by 2.2)

raystark

Everything I read seems pretty consistent, the RDA is .8 grams protein for every kg of body mass (.36g / lb) and that protein should not exceed 30% of your total calories (slightly higher for body builders) and there are health risks associated with consuming too much protein - most notably kidney damage. What I haven't found is at what threshold one might be incurring a health risk (in my case I'm a little over 200 lbs so at .8g/kg my target would be about 74 g, if I use 30% of 1720 cal (4 cal per g) my maximum would be 516/4 or 129g That's quite a variance, no wonder people are confused)

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

http://www.daveywaveyfitness.com/nutrition/8-side-effects-of-too-much-protein/

http://www.ehow.com/about_4741143_effects-much-protein-diet.html

http://weighttraining.about.com/od/nutritionforweights/qt/protein_howmuch.htm

I'm thinking that should be .36g*lb and .8g*kg. You want to be multiplying rather than dividing IIRC.

kimharrison22

Thanks everyone for your help! I appreciate the advice!