Can excess protein be harmful?
A varied diet is a diet that is individually tailored to the needs of a particular person. This type of diet is characterized by a well-regulated distribution of macronutrients - in order to cover daily needs and provide an adequate source of energy for daily functioning. Can excess protein harm the body? What can excess protein in the diet cause?
Extra dietary protein: weight gain
This "side effect" is somewhat harmful for people trying to lose their current weight. Although muscle mass is the issue here, people looking to lose weight should stay away from excess protein and provide enough to meet their daily needs.
Excess dietary protein: risk of dehydration
Consuming a large amount of protein intensifies the process of water loss, which can lead to a risk of dehydration. The reason for this is the excess nitrogen contained in proteins - this is what increases the excretion of water from the body. At this point, it should also be noted
that dehydration increases the risk of a deficiency in some elements, for example calcium, which is an essential part of the diet for maintaining healthy bones and proper muscle functioning.
Excess dietary protein: kidney problems
Speaking of nitrogen, it must be added that an excess of it causes a rather unpleasant burden to the kidneys. In turn, the aforementioned excretion of calcium leads to the deposition of this element in the walls of the kidneys - this leads to a very common condition called nephrolithiasis. Excessive consumption of protein can not only cause kidney pain, but also impair the proper functioning of the kidneys and lead to poor optimal functioning of the whole organism.
Excess dietary protein: acidification of the body
Acidification of the body caused by an excess of protein is closely related to the high saturation of the system with uric acid - this compound causes a weakening of the condition and functioning of the kidneys and liver, which are responsible for the purification
mechanisms. Eating large amounts of protein can cause the level of protein metabolites to rise in the blood and then build up in soft tissues or joints, for example. This increases the risk of developing gout, a rheumatic disease accompanied by severe joint pain.
Excess dietary protein: unpleasant odor
Ammonia, one of the metabolites of proteins, has a characteristic and strong odor. An increase in its level due to an excess of protein in the diet can lead to bad odor of sweat and urine, bad breath (called halitosis) and strong gas. It should also be noted that the excess protein accumulated in the intestine undergoes a slow process of putrefaction. This in turn leads to the formation of the ammonia mentioned above which increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancer.