Our diets are built around the concept of getting enough protein to ensure our bodies are healthy. But is there such a thing as too much protein?
Protein helps your body in many ways, including supporting bone health and hormone production. Protein also increases your metabolism a little bit when you eat it. That’s given way to many high-protein fad diets that claim weight loss success.
But too much of a good thing can be bad. There are many health risks associated with having too much protein over long periods of time. High protein diets that are rich in red meats have higher levels of uric acid, which increases gout, a painful joint inflammation. It’s also been linked to higher rates of colon cancer and kidney disease.
A body needs at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. If you’re active, that can increase to as much as 1.8 grams per kilogram. If you get more, the risks could increase.
Are you getting too much protein? There are a few side effects that say maybe so.
Feeling thirsty
With more protein, your kidneys have to work twice as hard to flush out your system. That can make you feel like you are extra thirsty as your body tries to take in more for the process.
Constipation or Diarrhea
High protein, low-carb diets can wipe out health gut bacteria because of a lack of probiotics. If your gut flora is out of whack, it can lead to bowel problems.
Moodiness
If your gut bacteria isn’t at proper levels, it could impact your mental health, leading to things like anxiety or depression. Carb-rich foods increase levels of serotonin in your brain, which impacts happiness. Reducing protein and adding in sweet potato, a pear or apple, or a half a cup of brown rice can make a person feel better.
Weight Gain
Many people increase protein thinking it’s a great way to lose weight. Research shows that throwing off the healthy balance of gut bacteria can instead lead to weight gain. And if you lower carbs as a part of the process, it can also make you hold onto that weight longer.
Changes In Your Cycle
Women need a certain amount of fat for proper hormone levels. And when your body isn’t receiving a full array of healthy foods, it can cause your cycles to become irregular. Too much protein can burn through too many fat stores, which ultimately changes your metabolism and impacts your hormone levels. This can also cause havoc with your fertility.
None of this is meant to shy you away from eating protein. But if you’re looking at exploring a high protein diet, realize it can have a negative impact on your overall health. As always, check with a doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle.