Eating Too Much Protein

Protein is an important factor of our body and cell system and it is used to build, repair and maintain tissues and cells. Body system also uses proteins which is absorbed through the intake of food, to make essential hormones, enzymes and many body chemicals. As a matter of fact, protein is also an important building block of muscles, bones, cartilage, blood and skin. No wonder eating too much protein is the latest mantra of today's health conscious world.

If a person is not getting enough amount of carbohydrates then it derives the required energy from proteins. Lack of protein also leads to several severe conditions like weakened immune system, loss of muscle mass and growth rate and impairment of important body systems like circulatory system and respiratory system. But, protein is only beneficial to the body when it is consumed in a limited quantity and combined with quality exercise and physical activities.

Required Amount of Protein

There are a lot of contradictions when it comes to deciding the correct amount of protein in the body, or the daily protein intake. Due to a strong myth there are people who indulge pounds of it, in order to build muscle mass, which is again a myth. Protein is useless unless one create means through which the body can absorb it. Excess protein intake with no exercise will not increase strength but it will definitely increase stress levels.

According to the USDHHS or the United States Department of Health and Human Services, teenage boys and young adults require 7oz of protein, on a daily basis. While active women, teenage girls and men require 6oz of it, children aging from 2 to 7 and older people require daily 5 oz of protein intake. Anything more than that is too much.

Side Effects of Eating too Much Protein

Sudden change in diet and jump towards a high protein diet can cause a few problems, which quite graspable. High protein diets are consumed in order to reduce weight which is impossible with only eating too much protein. Excess protein, especially with less carbohydrates, can create a condition called ketosis. It is a condition is which body uses its own fat to produce energy. This process leaves behind carbon particles called ketone, which cause loss of appetite, loss of water weight, etc.

This also results into excretion of too much calcium and ammonia in the urine. It also causes several kidney diseases and dysfunctions related with kidneys. Kidneys get exhausted by working extra to digest protein and as a result there are chances of kidney stones to appear as increasing age. Hence, having rigorous exercise is the best way to maintain kidney functions. Also, people that are already suffering with some kind of kidney disease, to consult the nephrologist before extra intake of protein.

As the kidneys absorb the calcium, the body falls short of calcium and it can also happen that eating too much protein can cause absorption of calcium from the bones. Loss of calcium makes the bones all more porous and fragile. If further alleviated, this condition can also lead to osteoporosis, which is disease of bone tissues. It is also said that this (non-vegetable sources) can give rise to various cardiovascular diseases, while vegetable sources of protein are said to protect heart health.

Along with the above mentioned side effects, there are a few more health related issues that can be evoked by high protein consumption. They are dehydration, fatigue, headache, muscle cramps and muscle spasm, confusion, constipation, loss of concentration and difficulty in breathing. Eating too much protein also arouses issues regarding the health of the liver. Eating only high protein foods cause serious lack of some essential vitamins and minerals in body, leading to other health conditions and loss of physical endurance.

It is a fact that protein is very important for a healthy body but, anything more than the limitations, always leads to some short term benefits and long term side effects. Hence, to avoid all this, make sure you consume only the required amount of protein and that too after consulting your health care provider! Take care and stay fit!