Yes, there is such thing as too much protein. It’s true that we’re constantly encouraged to eat more of this macronutrient to lose weight. It’s also true that we’re encouraged to eat more of it for lean muscle preservation or growth. However, the expression “too much of a good thing” is a common one for a reason. It applies here, too.
Protein is essential for your body, especially if you are exercising. It helps build muscle and reduce fat. Though it may come as a surprise, protein is, however, harmful if consumed in high quantities. Excesses of this macronutrient can cause all types of ailments in your body. This is why you should avoid too much protein.
How Do You Consume Too Much Protein?
A common misconception is that only athletes and bodybuilders suffer from having more of this macronutrient in their diets than they need. This is because they typically consume it in shakes and protein-rich foods. They’re the ones who are regularly making an active effort to eat more of it. They need it for their results, so they really go for it.
However, the truth is that athletes seldom suffer from too much when it comes to this macro’s intake. The large amounts of that they consume are used up when they exercise. In fact, they need a high intake to keep them going through their daily routine. They consume more of it because their bodies really do need it. But what about the rest of us?
Why Dieters Suffer When Athletes Don’t
The problem of too much protein is mostly found in overweight individuals. This is because such individuals do not consume a balanced diet. The meticulous focus on macronutrient balance that is common among athletes and bodybuilders doesn’t always cross over to the weight loss dieting crowd.
They tend to eat all sorts of delicious foods. Even if this is kept within certain caloric restraints, the macro ratio can be virtually anything. Since the diet of these individuals is not balanced, they may end up consuming more protein and insufficient quantities of other essential nutrients.
Moreover, overweight individuals may or may not exercise to the degree required to justify very high protein consumption. Lack of exercise causes excess protein to remain in the body instead of being used up. This is what leads to complications. If the extra protein were to be balanced with exercise as is the case with athletes, dieters wouldn’t face these challenges.
Symptoms of Excessive Protein Intake
If you have excess protein in your body, then you will need to reduce your consumption of this macronutrient. Fortunately, the body displays certain signs that there is something wrong. These signs can often point to excessive protein as the root cause. Let’s look at some of the areas where you can spot overconsumption in the body.
- Urination: When you consume too much protein, the body breaks it up. The by-product of it is urea, which is secreted through urine. If you have to urinate too much, this may indicate high levels of protein in your body.
- Sweating: Sweating is also a result of excessively high levels in your body. This is because urea is also secreted through sweat.
- Reduced Appetite: Dieters consuming heaping amounts of protein are also those who are trying to cut down on carbs. A significant reduction in carbohydrates contributes to a loss in appetite and to nausea. This imbalance is not a helpful form of appetite control and can be harmful to weight management in the long run.
If you are facing any of the abovementioned symptoms, then you should speak to a nutrition expert, such as your doctor, about your current eating habits. This will help you to know if you’re eating too much protein.