Why Consuming Too Much Protein May Be Bad for Your Health

At the moment, protein is everywhere.

high-protein snacks. grains high in protein. Water with protein. We are informed that it is the key to longevity and vigor, but we are also cautioned that it may subtly harm our kidneys and decrease our lifespan.

Which is it, then?

Will increasing your protein intake make you feel more robust and energized, or is it simply a clever marketing gimmick to promote expensive, highly processed junk food?

Knowing whom to trust is difficult. Protein smoothies and bars are being promoted by influencers as if they were wonder medications. Food manufacturers are labeling everything from yogurt to candies as high-protein.

The reality is that trends influence health and wellbeing just as much as they do the fashion industry, and protein is now quite popular.

The truth? The idea that "more is better" is not accurate. It might be more detrimental to you to follow the high-protein fad.

Let's get to the truth and cut through the clutter.

Why is protein getting so much attention?

Everyone wants a piece of the new health gold rush that is protein.

It's likely that you have heard some variation of these claims:

builds muscle quickly — If you consume five protein bars daily, you will quickly resemble Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Protein increases fat burning and makes you a calorie-burning powerhouse.

Prevents muscle loss: You will always be strong if you continue to consume protein shakes.

Enhances athletic performance – Overnight, you'll cut minutes off your 10K time.

Prevents weakness in old life — Do you want to maintain your independence and mobility? The solution is protein.

Enhances hair and nails—of course, protein results in stronger, glossier hair and nails.

Reduces cravings and hunger: Protein keeps you full, which will help you quit snacking.

Does it sound familiar? Each of them has some truth to it, but there is also a lot of hype. The situation becomes complex at that point.

This is what irritates me: the proponents of the high-protein fad say they have your best interests in mind, yet doing what they say might backfire.

The following explains why protein is so popular:

Putting "high-protein" on the label is a savvy technique to rebrand junk food as health food since ultra-processed meals have a negative image. Big Food needs a new trend. Protein cookies, protein chips, and protein ice cream are all loaded with protein, but they also include sugar, fillers, and fake additives.

Content is necessary for influencers. Fitness gurus and wellness bloggers cannot afford to ignore the newest health trend. They all add to this, producing "me-too" stuff about protein because it encourages interaction and clicks. (Never mind that supplement companies support the majority of them.)

Furthermore, the more "eat more protein" messages you see, the more persuasive it seems, don't you think? It's purposeful; it's not a coincidence.

The dilemma is whether eating extra protein will benefit you personally or whether it will just benefit someone else's finances.

Let's disentangle reality from fantasy and examine the true findings of science.

Why is protein necessary for us?

Protein is known to create muscle, but that's just the beginning.

It turns out that almost everything your body does to survive and operate properly involves protein. It's far more than simply gym gains and large biceps. Here's a brief summary:

Blocks of construction: Protein makes up the whole body, including your muscles, bones, skin, hair, internal organs, and more.

Repairing tissue: Have you been cut? Did you push yourself too hard at the gym? Protein is on cleaning duty, assisting in your recovery and reconstruction.

Hormones: Insulin is one of the several hormones that are proteins. They regulate your energy levels, emotions, and metabolism.

You can use enzymes for more than just your laundry powder! These are the little biochemical powerhouses that enable processes like cell regeneration and food digestion.

Antibodies: What are the hidden weapons of your immune system? proteins. They keep you healthy and help you fight off illnesses.

Storage and transportation: The protein that transports oxygen in your blood is called hemoglobin. The molecules that transport and store nutrients throughout your body are also in this category.

Balance of fluids and pH: Proteins maintain the proper balance of fluids and acidity in your body, which is necessary for living.

Energy source: Your body may use protein as an energy source when you're short on fat or carbohydrates. Better than operating on empty, but not ideal.

Is it any wonder that protein accomplishes all of that? What caught you off guard the most?

Protein may be compared to Lego.

Your body does not just absorb the protein in chicken breasts, tofu, or eggs. Like taking apart a Lego set, it breaks it down into small building components called amino acids. It then utilizes those components to create whatever your body need at that moment, whether it hormones, enzymes, muscle, or anything else.

Your body may use 20 distinct types of amino acids. Some of these, known as essential amino acids, must be obtained from diet, while others may be produced by the body itself. Your body may be lacking important components if you're not consuming the proper combination of proteins.

Additionally, there is a middle ground: Peptides are brief sequences of amino acids that are too short to be considered whole proteins. Most likely, you've seen them marketed as high-end skin care and anti-aging products.

Here's the thing: because tiny peptides are essentially broken-down proteins, it seems reasonable that your stomach can absorb them. However, the notion that you can apply them to your face and have them miraculously permeate your skin, causing the formation of collagen? More marketing jargon than biological truth.

Yes, protein is necessary. Why, however, are we being instructed to consume so much of it that it's virtually escaping our ears?