Dangers of Protein

[hailtotheking]

This is from pg. 59, The Biochemical Basis of Sports Performance by
Maughan and Gleeson, Oxford University Press. It reads:


"One potential problem with the habitual consumption of a high protein
diet is that the enzymes invovled in protein breakdown may become
upregulated. This in effect means that the athlete becomes dependent on
a high protein diet to maintain muscle mass as any reduction in intake
means that breakdown continues at a high ratewhile the rate of protein
synthesis will be reduced because the reduced availability of amino
acids from the diet. The weightlifter or bodybuilder who suddenly
reduces protein intake to the levels recommended by scientists (1.4 -
1.7 g /kg bodyweight/day) will therefore experience a loss of muscle."

[Duplex]

Quote

This is from pg. 59, The Biochemical Basis of Sports Performance by
Maughan and Gleeson, Oxford University Press. It reads:


"One potential problem with the habitual consumption of a high protein
diet is that the enzymes invovled in protein breakdown may become
upregulated. This in effect means that the athlete becomes dependent on
a high protein diet to maintain muscle mass as any reduction in intake
means that breakdown continues at a high ratewhile the rate of protein
synthesis will be reduced because the reduced availability of amino
acids from the diet. The weightlifter or bodybuilder who suddenly
reduces protein intake to the levels recommended by scientists (1.4 -
1.7 g /kg bodyweight/day) will therefore experience a loss of muscle."

I thought everything above 1.5gr/kgr was considered excessive anyway.

[MartinM]

Quote

This is from pg. 59, The Biochemical Basis of Sports Performance by
Maughan and Gleeson, Oxford University Press. It reads:


"One potential problem with the habitual consumption of a high protein
diet is that the enzymes invovled in protein breakdown may become
upregulated. This in effect means that the athlete becomes dependent on
a high protein diet to maintain muscle mass as any reduction in intake
means that breakdown continues at a high ratewhile the rate of protein
synthesis will be reduced because the reduced availability of amino
acids from the diet. The weightlifter or bodybuilder who suddenly
reduces protein intake to the levels recommended by scientists (1.4 -
1.7 g /kg bodyweight/day) will therefore experience a loss of muscle."

Good post mate.

This is where the idea of protein cycling comes from. It does sound like a really good idea..........did think of doing it myself.

To be honest though, unless your eating an excessively high protein diet in the region of 4-5g/kg you shouldnt be at too much of a risk at all. You could eat 40g of protein for a few days and not see much difference as you have a reserve or pool of amino acids that would keep you going........

[MartinM]

Quote

I thought everything above 1.5gr/kgr was considered excessive anyway.

Depends who you talk too..........

[hailtotheking]

There are some studies that indicate that protein synthesis and positive nitrogen balance are still occuring in strength athletes at intakes much higher than 'recommended' levels. For example, on pg. 72 - 73 of 'Foods, Nutrition, and Sports Performance' by Williams and Devlin, there is are studies cited that show:

- v. high protein intakes (about 300% recommendations) can maintain positive nitrogen balance for at least 50 days when there is heavy anabolic stimulus (e.g heavy resistance training);

- there were greater nitrogen retention and LBM gains over 40 days of training on protein intakes of 2.8 vs 1.4 g / kg / day

- Romanian weight-lifters showed gains in strength (5%) and LBM (6%) with several months of training going from 2.2 to 3.5 (!) g / kg/ day.

This last study is interesting, because the subjects were already consuming higher than recommended amounts, and when they increased protein intake even more their gains went up even further! Maybe this suggests that increasing protein intake should be done in stages, rather going from 'recommended levels' straight to massive protein intake.

However, there are also many studies indicating that 'excessive' protein is a waste of time and potentially harmful.

[Resurrected]

I just remembered I posted something to do with this quite a while ago,

check this link http://www.myprotein.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=943