Is it possible to consume too much protein

A: Like other food sources, too much of a good thing is not good at all. High protein intake also means ingesting excess calories and placing strain on your kidneys. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Take a look at our list of foods with more protein than an egg to get a better idea.

And now read on to discover the scary side effects that can happen to your body when you eat too much protein! You know all of the extra nitrogen we just told you about? Not only can it wreak havoc on your kidneys, but it can leave you feeling parched, too.

The reason: "High amounts of nitrogen are toxic. So, to stay safe, the body uses fluids and water to flush it out, which can leave you feeling thirsty," explains registered dietitian Cassie Bjork , RD, LD of Healthy Simple Life. Increasing your water intake can counteract the effects. Many people who scarf a lot of protein do so because they're cutting back on carbs. And when you're on a low-carb diet, the body turns to stored fat for energy.

Although this may be a good thing for your abs at first, at least , it's not so great for your breath. It does so by a process called ketosis. Cutting back on your daily dose of protein and upping your carbs can remedy the issue, as can doubling your water intake. We need to consume enough protein for these processes to occur.

However, if we eat more than we need, the excess protein will be broken down and used for energy. Even though a relatively high protein intake is healthy and safe, eating massive amounts of protein is unnatural and may cause harm.

Traditional populations got most of their calories from fat or carbs, not protein. One study in healthy, strength-training men showed that eating around 1. Even eating 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight 4. But keep in mind that physically active people, especially strength athletes or bodybuilders, need more protein than less active individuals. Extremely high protein intake is unhealthy. It is unclear at what intake level protein becomes harmful.

It likely depends on the individual. At the end of the day, there is no evidence that eating protein in reasonably high amounts causes harm in healthy people. On the contrary, plenty of evidence suggests benefits. But for the majority of people, there is no reason to be concerned about the exact number of grams of protein in your diet. If you follow a balanced diet that contains plenty of meat, fish, dairy or high-protein plant foods , your protein intake should be in a safe and healthy range.

The importance of eating enough protein can not be overstated. Here are 20 high protein foods that can help you lose weight, feel great, and gain…. While some sources of protein are expensive, there are also many affordable high protein foods. Here is a list of 17 healthy protein sources that….

Getting enough protein is important for weight loss, muscle mass, and optimal health. Here are 14 easy ways to increase the amount of protein in your…. This is a detailed review of the weight loss effects of protein. A high protein diet can boost metabolism and reduce appetite, helping you lose weight. Protein can help reduce hunger and prevent overeating. A study recommends eating:. A study concluded that older adults should eat more protein than is currently recommended to promote healthy aging.

The researchers recommended that adults should ideally consume protein in the range of 1. The study also concluded that these amounts would also improve appetite control, satiety, and weight management. People can typically consume 2 g of protein per kg of their body weight daily, long-term, without any significant side effects. Some people, such as elite athletes, may be able to eat as much as 3.

Most research indicates that eating more than 2 g per kg of body weight daily of protein for a long time can cause health problems. The IOM recommend people get between 10 and 35 percent of their daily energy intake from protein. Most people can safely eat between 2 and 3.

Researchers are still unsure whether very high protein diets are safe, especially when someone is also cutting back on their carbohydrate intake. It seems higher protein diets may assist with weight loss. It is likely that high-protein diets promote weight loss because high protein foods tend to promote a feeling of fullness, helping reduce hunger cravings and overeating.

One small study in adolescent overweight or obese girls found evidence that eating breakfast, especially one high in protein, may help control neural signals that regulate food cravings and reward-driven food behaviors.