Is excess consumption of protein shake & amino acids detrimental to health? How important is it to vary protein sources for a good health?
Regards,
Answering the above question, if of course it has detrimental effects of ingesting excessive protein shakes. As you well know, "everything in excess is bad". But why an excess of proteins is bad if we have always been told that the protein is good for the body, health and development? Let's find out.
While we know that proteins are essential in a person so that this can have an optimal development, among this:
• Growth, training and repair of organs.
• Formation of muscles, tendons, skin and nails.
• They present diverse functions: immune, transport of oxygen, fuel of the organism, among others.
When we begin to have a diet high in proteins and amino acids (what is known as hyperproteic diet), several health problems develop, especially if this diet is for a prolonged period.
Consequences of Excess Proteins in the body
• Obesity and Cardiovascular Problems
Proteins of animal origin are often accompanied or added to saturated fats, which will increase cholesterol if they come at high levels. In addition to an overload generated in the kidney that would produce arteriosclerosis (hardening, thickness and loss of stability in the arteries).
• Overload of some organs
Mainly the kidneys and the liver are the most affected. The organism does not present a protein storage mechanism; This simply uses them and excretes the waste (ammonia, urea and uric acid) which are processed by these organs and then expelled in the urine.
• Descaling
An excess in the intake of proteins and amino acids can be accompanied by high consumption of phosphorus, an element that competes with calcium and decreases its absorption in the bones. This results in a large loss of calcium, which does not recover, although you consume calcified products.
• Kidney stones
The calcium that is released from the bones and is not absorbed is eliminated through the urine, so it accumulates in the kidneys; In excess, calcium crystals, known as calculi, can form.
• Acidification
An unbalanced diet in favor of proteins will produce a change of pH in the organism, causing it to acidify; This is due to the waste product of proteins (NH4 + or ammonium) which is found in the blood plasma and makes it acid. This favors the demineralization since the body will try to counteract this with alkaline reserves (calcium, magnesium and potassium).
Joint problem
Another problem with proteins of animal origin are the high levels of purines it produces. When purines are metabolized inside the cells, they become uric acid, a waste product that can crystallize in the joints, causing the problem known as "gout".
Varying protein sources is very important, because if only one source is used there may be health mishaps over time.
The proteins of animal origin with considered the complete proteins, since these contain all the necessary amino acids for the organism.
The proteins of vegetable origin unlike the animal are considered incomplete, since it does not possess all the essential amino acids. Even if you want to have a better contribution of all proteins from plant origin, you should make combinations of legumes with cereals. The advantage of vegetable protein is that it is not associated with saturated fats that can harm health.
conclusion
Take only the necessary protein per day, ie 0.8 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of weight per day.
Vary or combine protein sources in the diet.