What happens to your body when you consume too many proteins?
Proteins are the components that build and repair the human body. Their main function is to repair damaged muscles and tissues. There is protein in our enzymes and their function is to fasten the chemical reactions in the human body. There are traces of proteins found in hormones like insulin, which help regulate cell activities and other organs.
The blood in our arteries contains hemoglobin. It is composed partially of proteins.
Proteins are constructed of a thousand and more small units known as amino acids. They are attached to each other in the form of long chain-like structures.
How Much Protein Should Be Consumed
The National Institute Of Medicine Food And Nutrition Board says that an adult must ingest 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. In simple words, an average adult should consume 8 grams of protein per 20 pounds of their body weight. Around 10 to 35 percent calories ingested per day should be in the form of proteins.
Anything done in excess is dangerous to health. Here’s what happens when you consume too much protein.
The Breath Smells Funky
Cutting your carb intake to the bare minimum will put your body in a condition called ketosis. In this condition, the body begins to burn the existing fat in the body instead of the usual carbohydrates. It might sound like a good thing, to help you lose weight. But there are drawbacks and dangers that you should know about. It leaves a disgusting stench in your mouth. This phenomenon occurs when the body is burning fat. It releases a chemical called ketone. There are times when you feel like your mouth tastes of nail polish remover. Another downer, brushing or flossing doesn’t make it go away. That’s because the smell isn’t coming from your mouth, but from your internal systems.
Weight Gain
In terms of short term goals, eating a protein rich diet will help you shed weight quickly. But being on a diet with egg whites and whey proteins for a prolonged duration, without cutting down on other items, you’re more likely to gain weight. Studies show that, on a long-term basis, more than 5,000 adults found that those who consumed mostly proteins, were more prone to becoming overweight.
Kidneys Function Erratically
From a recent study conducted by the American Journal of Kidney Disease, consuming a high protein diet on a regular basis leads to kidney disease. The body burns fats, producing ketones. Although they do help in weight loss, ketones are harmful to the kidneys.
One feels dehydrated
Since the body begins burning fats instead of carbs, ketone formation occurs. These ketones are toxic in nature and harmful to our kidneys. The excretion of ketones becomes difficult. Due to this, there’s a lot of water that’s used to help the kidneys process all of this. Because of this, you tend to become dehydrated easily.
