Protein is without doubt one of the important constructing blocks of the human physique, essential for constructing and repairing muscle. In case you’re enthusiastic about gaining muscle and/or shedding fats, you possible understand how necessary it’s to increase your every day consumption of this macronutrient. However is there an higher restrict to how a lot you must devour? How a lot protein is taken into account an excessive amount of?

There are goalposts, however it’s arduous to go overboard. Right here’s what the consultants say.

Are Excessive-Protein Diets Secure?

Initially, it’s very tough to eat a lot protein that it negatively impacts your well being. In response to a examine printed within the American Journal of Scientific Diet, the common American consumes lower than half of what’s extensively thought-about the “higher certain” of protein consumption: 35 p.c of every day energy.

Nonetheless, research recommend that energetic individuals exceeding that higher certain nonetheless might not see any hostile results. In a 2016 examine printed within the Journal of Diet and Metabolism, 14 wholesome, resistance-trained males alternated between months of consuming their regular eating regimen and a “high-protein eating regimen” (greater than 3 grams per kilogram of body weight every day). To place that into context, a 154-pound particular person must eat greater than 210 grams of protein per day on this eating regimen, which is equal to virtually two kilos of hen.

After a yr of monitoring the topics, researchers discovered “no dangerous results on measures of blood lipids in addition to liver and kidney operate,” which is the place most hostile responses to protein would seem.

Moreover, there may be analysis suggesting that present suggestions could also be too low for sure populations, together with adults over the age of 65, pregnant and lactating ladies, and wholesome youngsters older than 3 years. So whereas the scientific discourse round how a lot protein is an excessive amount of continues, it’s necessary to acknowledge the rising literature that validates the security and efficacy of high-protein diets for many who require extra of it.

3 Results Related With Excessive-Protein Diets

Whereas research have explored potential dangers of an excessive amount of protein, the Dietary Reference Intakes by the Institute of Medication asserts that there’s “inadequate information” to offer causal relationships between protein and well being issues, thus highlighting the necessity for managed medical research.

1. Abdomen upset/discomfort

Some individuals might expertise gastrointestinal points ensuing from protein supplementation. This can be attributable to the lactose content material in sure protein shakes, corresponding to these containing whey protein focus. In these circumstances, utilizing whey protein isolate or plant-based protein is much less prone to result in these issues, as they comprise much less lactose than whey protein focus or none in any respect.

Potential GI points can come from entire meals as properly. “In case you’re consuming an excessive amount of animal-based protein and never sufficient complicated carbohydrates, which comprise fiber, you could expertise delicate constipation,” explains Quyen Vu, MS, RDN.

2. Kidney points

Some research have reported an affiliation between high-protein diets and kidney operate. Nonetheless, it’s “extraordinarily uncommon” for exercisers to develop kidney points or different metabolic problems due to excessive protein consumption, says Glenn Gaesser, PhD, FACSM, professor of train physiology at Arizona State College.

3. Coronary heart points

Some analysis suggests that consuming extreme protein might have an effect on the cardiovascular system.

“A number of population-based cohort research point out the next untimely mortality threat related to diets which are excessive in protein, such because the traditional low-carb eating regimen, which has rather more protein than the everyday American eating regimen,” says Gaesser.

Nonetheless, he continues, “The upper protein consumption, per se, is probably not the issue, however fairly the opposite traits of the eating regimen, corresponding to excessive quantities of animal fats and low quantities of fiber-rich meals.”

Can Consuming Too A lot Protein Have an effect on Weight Loss?

In a phrase, sure. Protein is a supply of energy. In case your purpose is to shed weight, it’s necessary to create a calorie deficit, a state by which you’re burning extra energy than you’re taking in. In case you’re consuming a lot protein that it narrows (or erases) your calorie deficit, that may undermine weight reduction.

“Protein not used for the physique’s regular development and upkeep features could also be used for power, if there’s a lack from different sources, and could be transformed to fats,” says Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, CDN, FAND, a registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant dean at New York Institute of Know-how’s College of Well being Professions. “If overconsuming protein leads you to devour extra energy than you want, you’ll acquire weight.”

Nonetheless, protein remains to be an integral a part of most weight reduction efforts. A meta-analysis of 24 research discovered that calorie-restricted, high-protein diets produced extra optimistic modifications to general physique composition than a standard-protein eating regimen. That is possible as a result of protein promotes fullness and will help protect muscle.

How Do You Know if You’re Consuming Too A lot Protein?

Your first clue will in all probability be a stomachache or another minor gastrointestinal drama. Even when you’ve got guts of metal, know that it’s attainable to eat extra protein than you possibly can effectively course of.

“Your physique can solely make the most of a certain quantity of protein at one sitting — roughly 30 grams,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CEO of New York Diet Group. “That is equal to about 4 ounces of cooked hen breast or cooked fish, one cup of Greek yogurt, or two cups of black beans.”

It’s additionally necessary to area protein consumption all through the day as a result of our bodies don’t retailer extra protein.

“I see loads in my observe that athletes attempt to pack of their protein consumption in a single or a few meals,” says Maddi Osburn, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Wichita, Kansas. “If an athlete overconsumes protein in a single or two meals, they received’t be getting essentially the most optimum muscle development response, and it is going to be both excreted or saved as fats. As well as, consuming an excessive amount of protein may displace different necessary vitamins — like carbohydrates, fats, and fiber — which are simply as necessary for optimum restoration and efficiency.”