Eating too much protein is associated with some serious risks. I’m sure we are all familiar with various high-protein diets which have become extremely popular in recent years. A few like the Zone diet and Atkins diet spring to mind. It is fair to say that these high-protein diets will help with muscle development, weight loss and fat loss however an excess of protein in the diet does have ramifications.
Protein is an essential part of the diet. We need protein to help us build and repair muscle, tissues, organs and bones. However, all nutritionists would say take care when exceeding the recommended amount of protein in the diet. Proteins are made of amino acids and when it is digested these components are released into the body where they are used for a variety of purposes including protein building and energy generation.
We know that most people can consume 2 g of protein for each kg of weight on a daily basis and over the long terms without any ill effects whatsoever. If your are a high performing athlete than eating 3.5 kg per kg of body is not an issue. On this basis, the recommended daily amount of protein is 56 grams for the average man and 46 grams for the average woman. If you eat more than 2 g of protein and are not exceptionally fit then over a long period of time, this begins to have an impact on general health.
Symptoms of an Excess of Protein In the Diet
The main symptoms are these:-
- dehydration
- nausea
- headaches
- diarrhea
- intestinal problems especially indigestion
What Are The Effects Of Too Much Protein In the Diet
Weight Gain
When excess calories are consumed by eating too much protein, then we store this energy in the body as fat. Our fat is stored in adipose tissue and too much leads to us being overweight with all the associated medical conditions we are prone to. These include cardiovascular disease (CHD) and diabetes.
Kidney Disease
Too much protein risks raises the risk of kidney disease and affects those quite badly if they already have it. The reasons is due to excess nitrogen from amino acids following the hydrolysis of proteins. When the nitrogen load is high, the kidney must work harder to clear this load along with all the waste products that come from amino acid metabolism.
Cancer
Our risks of bowel cancer are raised by consuming too much protein. It would seem that this is related more to eating certain types of protein such as red meat which is associated with both breast, bowel (colon) and prostate cancers. It is also known that the risk of cancer is reduced if you adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet for the very reasons cited above but also because particular fats, carcinogens and hormones are absent.
Atherosclerosis And Cardiovascular Disease
Too much protein very often comes with too much saturated fats if you have a high meat and dairy diet. Over consumption produces fatty deposits forming in blood vessels that leads to atherosclerosis.
Osteoporosis And Osteopenia
It may seem odd to think that osteoporosis is a consequence of too much protein in the diet. However, bones demineralise under such conditions.
Why Would We Have A High Protein Diet ?
High protein diets are extremely popular with those looking to lose weight and reduce our body fat levels. They work by increasing our sensation of fullness or satiety. It helps us to control and reduce our appetite and food cravings. It also helps us regulate our psychology in relation to food and our behaviour towards food.
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