Are we eating too much protein?

SanyamKaushik
SanyamKaushik Posts: 215 Member
in Food and Nutrition
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22753620

As the article says, we might be having enough protein in our diet and processing excess intake can put pressure on the kidneys - with kidney stones or even kidney failure possible in some people.

Replies

  • JustPeachy044
    JustPeachy044 Posts: 770 Member
    I get conflicting info. I know when I had an evaluation a year ago to determine my BMR the nutritionist cautioned me against too much protein, she mentioned it can be hard on the kidneys. Interested to see what others have to say about this...
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    It's hard to have too much protein.

    "It has been observed that the human liver cannot safely metabolise much more than 285-365 g of protein per day (for an 80 kg person), and human kidneys are similarly limited in their capability to remove urea (a byproduct of protein catabolism) from the bloodstream. Exceeding that amount results in excess levels of amino acids, ammonia (hyperammonemia), and/or urea in the bloodstream, with potentially fatal consequences,[1] especially if the person switches to a high-protein diet without giving time for the levels of his or her hepatic enzymes to upregulate. Since protein only contains 4 kcal/gram, and a typical adult human requires in excess of 1900 kcal to maintain the energy balance, it is possible to exceed the safe intake of protein if one is subjected to a high-protein diet with little or no fat or carbohydrates. However, given the lack of scientific data on the effects of high-protein diets, and the observed ability of the liver to compensate over a few days for a shift in protein intake, the US Food and Nutrition Board does not set a Tolerable Upper Limit nor upper Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for protein.[2] Furthermore, medical sources such as UpToDate[3] do not include listings on this topic." 

    Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_starvation
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    I ate 129g protein (more than 1g per pound of body weight) yesterday in addition to 10g BCAA's, 5g creatine, four energy drinks, a multivitamin, and a vitamin d supplement and I'm fine. Just drink plenty of water and you're all good. Your body is good at filtering out excess levels of things and other stuff that doesn't belong in your body.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    There is plenty of actual science to support higher protein intake among those losing weight (along with strength training, to maintain LBM) and those who are athletes or weightlifters.

    The average woman may only "need" 45g protein per day, but there is a difference between minimal needs and unsafe maximums.

    So, to answer your subject line of "Are we eating too much protein?" it depends on how you define "we." I, at least, am not.
  • SanyamKaushik
    SanyamKaushik Posts: 215 Member
    I ate 129g protein (more than 1g per pound of body weight) yesterday in addition to 10g BCAA's, 5g creatine, four energy drinks, a multivitamin, and a vitamin d supplement and I'm fine. Just drink plenty of water and you're all good. Your body is good at filtering out excess levels of things and other stuff that doesn't belong in your body.

    Thanks. I wish my body was good at filtering out excess level or fat that i consume. or any level of carcinogenic substances that cause cancer in body. (on a positive note)
  • byustrongman
    byustrongman Posts: 74 Member
    http://examine.com/faq/how-much-protein-do-i-need-every-day.html
    http://examine.com/faq/can-eating-too-much-protein-be-bad-for-you.html

    Great resource.
  • skinnylikekitkat
    skinnylikekitkat Posts: 13
    I just ate 285g of scallops. I am literally crying reading this! I weight 53.5kg and want to lose weight but family keep giving me huge portions!!! :_(
  • SanyamKaushik
    SanyamKaushik Posts: 215 Member
    I just ate 285g of scallops. I am literally crying reading this! I weight 53.5kg and want to lose weight but family keep giving me huge portions!!! :_(

    If i was not vegetarian, I would have been envying you :D
  • jen_zz
    jen_zz Posts: 1,011 Member
    I just ate 285g of scallops. I am literally crying reading this! I weight 53.5kg and want to lose weight but family keep giving me huge portions!!! :_(

    Looooove scallops. Raw on sushi rice, baked with cheese, simply sauteed with some veggies..
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    I just ate 285g of scallops. I am literally crying reading this! I weight 53.5kg and want to lose weight but family keep giving me huge portions!!! :_(

    If i was not vegetarian, I would have been envying you :D
    I feel like most vegetarians are afraid of protein. Btw I'm vegetarian, too and have been for 14 years. I hear a lot of vegetarians say we don't need as much protein as other sources recommend.

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