Is it dangerous to eat a lot of protein

Protein consumption is skyrocketing. This is necessary for our body, and it is thanks to it that muscles, bones, skin and other tissues are built and maintained. They also play an important protagonist in the functioning of certain hormones and enzymes. They also keep us satisfied longer, preventing us from eating more and gaining weight. This last point is one of the arguments that have led to a sharp increase in its consumption in the form of powder, shakes, dairy products or fortified bars in recent years. But how safe is it to eat protein ?

Some doctors worry that they are not aware of the long-term consequences of a high protein intake. “No one can say about the long-term effects and this worries me as a doctor. No one can say what the results will be in the body in 10 to 15 years, ”said Dr. John E. Schwarzberg of the University of California at Berkeley in the New York Times .

Other experts argue that the body does not metabolize as much protein as many believe. "People think that if you use protein it will be a magic wand to lose weight or get fit and build muscle, but this has not been proven," said Jim White of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. New York Times. "You cannister eat 300 grams of protein a daytime, but that doesn't mean you gain more muscle than someone who eats 120 grams a day," White said. Meanwhile, "you are depriving yourself of other macronutrients that your body needs, such as whole grains, fats, fruits and vegetables ."

On the other hand, there are potential dangers to consuming excessive doses of protein as you age. "One of the benefits and concerns of high protein intake, especially animal protein, is that it promotes faster cell proliferation," Dr. Walter Willett of the School of Health told The New York Times. Public TH Chan of Harvard. “It is good when you are young after you are growing up as a child. But in adulthood, this is one of the fundamental processes that increase the risk of cancer . 

The protein intake recommendations to avoid losing muscle mass are that they represent 15% of the total daily intake of macronutrients, that is, approximately 0.8-1 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Many experts prioritize protein intake from real foods over supplements .

Groups that may be deficient in protein include adolescent girls who may not eat well and older adults who are at jeopardy of losing muscle mass and whose appetite tends to decrease with age. In fact, many of the first protein supplements to appear in the United States were developed for the elderly and malnourished. Additionally, professional athletes who train for several hours a day need to significantly increase their protein intake to the level of pregnant or lactating women. The general population does not need to increase the amount of protein consumed.