Are You Consuming Too Much Protein? Here's What You Should Know

On one hand, you hear the power of protein touted by everyone from your favorite fitness blogger to your personal trainer. On the other, you hear warnings about potential risks of consuming too much protein. Since most women aren't even sure if they get enough protein on a daily basis, it can feel almost impossible to know whether you're getting too little, just enough, or way too much.

Is Too Much Protein Dangerous?

The common concerns about high-protein diets and protein supplements are related to bone and kidney health.

The truth of the matter is that a high protein diet is not linked to weaker bone. In fact, a high-protein diet can help to prevent osteoporosis. Protein plays an invaluable role in building and supporting bone health. Protein supplements can also help to increase muscle strength and mass when paired with weight training, which is in turn associated with increased bone density.

What about your kidneys? While research has shown that the kidneys of test subjects who already had chronic kidney disease or decreased function worked harder during times of high protein intake, this is not the case for healthy people with healthy kidneys. They will simply adapt to metabolize greater amounts of protein, as evidenced by research showing no increase in kidney disease for athletes and bodybuilders who routinely consume high amounts of protein.

What Happens When You Get Too Much Protein

Unlike some other nutrients, your body does not store excess protein. This means you should strive to get an adequate amount each day, because there are no reserves. On the other hand, it also means that consuming excessive amounts of protein doesn't really have any health benefits.

Your body only absorbs and uses so much protein at each meal, with excess then going to power non-protein bodily functions. If you consume more than your body needs for protein and caloric functions, the excess is then stored as fat.

This means that while protein supplements can help you to lose weight, it's still a good idea to strive for an intake goal. Too much, and you're just wasting protein powder while potentially storing excess as the very fat you're trying to shed. Pinup Girl Protein is a high-quality, low-calorie and low-carb whey protein isolate perfect for helping you hit those goals while getting all nine of the essential amino acids your body can’t produce on its own.