Can too much protein hurt your body?

Question

I was told by some people that if I take in too much protein on my weight lifting program that I can harm my body and stuff is this true should I limit my protein intake??

Answer 1

This is a myth.

For healthy individuals, with normal kidney function and no presence of kidney disease, there is no research to indicate that large amounts of protein are harmful to the kidneys. I'm defining "large amounts" as between 1.5-2 grams consumed per pound of body weight, which is the typical range that body-builders will aim for.

In fact, there was some recent research (LaBounty, P., et al. (2005) Blood markers of kidney function and dietary protein intake of resistance trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2:5.) that actually suggests the opposite.

That study featured 77 weight-training men (average age 26) who were eating an average of 1.67g/kg of protein daily. Blood-test measurements of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid were all within the normal range.

The confusion around elevated protein consumption and kidney damage arises because the research that most people cite to demonstrate the connection between excess dietary protein and kidney damage is research conducted on individuals who already have kidney disease, NOT on healthy individuals with normal kindey function.

Kidney function does decrease with age, so if you are an older, you should have your blood checked to make sure high protein consumption is okay. Otherwise, you if are a healthy individual, you should be fine at 1.5-2.0 grams per pound of body weight.

Finally, if you are on a higher protein diet, make sure you are drinking plenty of water, which will help flush protein bi-products from your system.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

What it would harm is your kidneys. Your body uses as much pro as it needs then excretes the byproducts of the unused protein in the urine. The backbone of protein is stored and the nitrogen is cleaved off and sent to the urine. This really can stress out your kidneys, esp if they arent so healthy.
Everything in moderation

Answer 4

Too much of anything will harm your body. Everything in moderation.

Answer 5

Yes too much can hurt your kidneys.

Answer 6

Yes, too much and you can destroy your liver.