Protein - How much is too much?

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

Question about Protein -

Is there any benefit eating beyong 80g of protein a day? I noticed that some of you are eating 100g or more and wondered if there was a benefit to that. Thanks

[GreenTealael 25,352]

I have often wondered the same

[Matt Z 4,139]

There is such thing as too much, however that number is crazy high. 1 gram per pound is "max" "safe" suggested, so, if you are 300 lbs, then the max Protein you should ingest is 300 grams. So you can see that getting 100 grams is no where near the recommended max and certainly no where near any danger zones. For muscle growth, that 1 gram per lb is going to be optimal. More available protein is going to maximize muscle growth and efficiency. We want a high number because we don't want our body to break down our own muscle to support the creation of enzymes and hormones and amino acids required to support our functions while we are drastically reducing our caloric intakes. Plus, excess protein typically doesn't get stored as fat (Unless you have a very high caloric intake, in which your body will convert to fat)

[allwet 868]

Depends - i know its a lousy answer

Your body uses the Protein to repair and replace the cells that are broken down every minute of every day.

A large portion of which occurs during sleep - so dont skimp on the sleep

If at any time you consume more protein than you can use at that moment it is converted to glucose by the liver and you use it up. This is only a problem if you have to much glucose to begin with.

now we all know none of us have that problem cause we are watching our sugar and carbs

so if your sugar and simple carbs are low then the extra protein just burns up in your cells and muscles if you exceed what your body needs at any given time.

Edited June 5, 2018 by allwet

[TakingABreak 2,733]

1 hour ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

Question about Protein -

Is there any benefit eating beyong 80g of Protein a day? I noticed that some of you are eating 100g or more and wondered if there was a benefit to that. Thanks

I usually exceed 100grams a day without effort. I do have a smoothie to start each day that has 45grams. But all my Snacks and meals are usually protein rich options. I also eat on average, 1000 calories per day.

[Chrisb428 626]

I am still pre op and havent had a 1 on 1 with the surgeon yet. However, at our seminar, he told us not to go too crazy with the Protein. He said the products with 20-30 grams were more than enough because of the absorption rate in our bodies. He stated that more than that (in a single product or single sitting) would be overkill, unnecessary, and have no adittional benefit. I know that isnt the same as what you asked, but have any of you been told this?

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

2 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

I usually exceed 100grams a day without effort. I do have a smoothie to start each day that has 45grams. But all my Snacks and meals are usually Protein rich options. I also eat on average, 1000 calories per day.

I haven't hit 1000 yet, but I'm getting close. I still average 600-800. I'm doing better since I gave up on solids. It was really holding me back to eat an ounce of chicken and then be miserable for a couple of hours. I'm feeling so much better now.

5 minutes ago, Chrisb428 said:

I am still pre op and havent had a 1 on 1 with the surgeon yet. However, at our seminar, he told us not to go too crazy with the Protein. He said the products with 20-30 grams were more than enough because of the absorption rate in our bodies. He stated that more than that (in a single product or single sitting) would be overkill, unnecessary, and have no adittional benefit. I know that isnt the same as what you asked, but have any of you been told this?

Yes, I was told that your body couldn't process more than 30g of protein at once. Unfortunately, they didn't specify how much per hour or anything specific like that.

[Chrisb428 626]

Yes, he told us in the context of not worrying about finding the priciest or highest Protein content in powders that just the grocery store premier and similar would be sufficient. He also never specified a timeframe as to how often our bodies would be ready/able to absorb more.

[Matt Z 4,139]

30 minutes ago, Chrisb428 said:

I am still pre op and havent had a 1 on 1 with the surgeon yet. However, at our seminar, he told us not to go too crazy with the Protein. He said the products with 20-30 grams were more than enough because of the absorption rate in our bodies. He stated that more than that (in a single product or single sitting) would be overkill, unnecessary, and have no adittional benefit. I know that isnt the same as what you asked, but have any of you been told this?

This has been proven to be myth. There is no "max absorption rate". I'm surprised that a Surgeon told you this, but it just goes to show you, just because someone is a doctor, doesn't mean they know what they are talking about, esp in reference to things outside of their specialty.
https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hst3.htm

@Orchids&Dragons check out this link as well, the 30grams per sitting thing is a myth and is 100% wrong.

Edited June 5, 2018 by Matt Z

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

1 minute ago, Matt Z said:

This has been proven to be myth. There is no "max absorption rate". I'm surprised that a Surgeon told you this, but it just goes to show you, just because someone is a doctor, doesn't mean they know what they are talking about, esp in reference to things outside of their specialty.
https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hst3.htm

Thanks, good to know.

[Matt Z 4,139]

4 minutes ago, Chrisb428 said:

Yes, he told us in the context of not worrying about finding the priciest or highest Protein content in powders that just the grocery store premier and similar would be sufficient. He also never specified a timeframe as to how often our bodies would be ready/able to absorb more.

Ok, this surgeon needs to stop taking about nutrition and leave that to the nutritionists (granted I know I'm not one, but I've done enough research into these things to know that what I'm talking about is true, plus I've talked to my Nutritionist about this stuff as well) Surgeons are great at surgery, but would you discuss the chemical make-up of the gasoline you are using in your car, with your mechanic? No, you'd want to talk to someone that specialized in fuels. Surgeons are Mechanics, Nutritionists are fuel specialists.

Sure you don't need *THE* most expensive Protein, but not all Proteins are created equal, and using store brand... you are more than likely not getting all the Amino Acids and BCAA's that you should (or could) be. Plus, store brand stuff tends to have lower quality, less refined proteins which can lead to tolerance issues.

Clearly to each their own, but paying a little more for a high quality protein *IS* going to be beneficial.
Hell, not even every protein metabolizes the same. This is why I'm taking Casein at night and whey in the morning. Casein is a much slower uptake protein and helps with muscle recovery specifically overnight while you are sleeping. Whey is a faster update protein and is used during the day for muscle and energy support. Having the proper AA's and BCAA's is pretty important.

[Chrisb428 626]

5 minutes ago, Matt Z said:

This has been proven to be myth. There is no "max absorption rate". I'm surprised that a Surgeon told you this, but it just goes to show you, just because someone is a doctor, doesn't mean they know what they are talking about, esp in reference to things outside of their specialty.
https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hst3.htm

@Orchids&Dragons check out this link as well, the 30grams per sitting thing is a myth and is 100% wrong.

MattZ, I am not in any way defending his info. I am wondering though if maybe he meant it as it would pertain to the malabsorption feature in some of these procedures? It will be a good question for me to ask in July if nothing else. Thanks for the article link!

[Matt Z 4,139]

Just now, Chrisb428 said:

MattZ, I am not in any way defending his info. I am wondering though if maybe he meant it as it would pertain to the malabsorption feature in some of these procedures? It will be a good question for me to ask in July if nothing else. Thanks for the article link!

Doesn't sound as such, Proteins are not absorbed by only one section of our digestive tract, they are absorbed by the whole length of the small intestines, so sure since bypass patients have a slightly shorter tract that there would be some, overall, reduction in absorption simply due to the fact that we've had our small intestines shortened, but the severity of that reduction is minimal.
I understand you aren't defending your surgeon, Just providing the inputs and information as I'm seeing it. No preconceptions or assumptions outside of what's written.

But end of the day, you **WILL** benefit from a higher quality supplement over a generic one.

[Chrisb428 626]

5 minutes ago, Matt Z said:

Ok, this surgeon needs to stop taking about nutrition and leave that to the nutritionists (granted I know I'm not one, but I've done enough research into these things to know that what I'm talking about is true, plus I've talked to my Nutritionist about this stuff as well) Surgeons are great at surgery, but would you discuss the chemical make-up of the gasoline you are using in your car, with your mechanic? No, you'd want to talk to someone that specialized in fuels. Surgeons are Mechanics, Nutritionists are fuel specialists.

Sure you don't need *THE* most expensive Protein, but not all Proteins are created equal, and using store brand... you are more than likely not getting all the Amino Acids and BCAA's that you should (or could) be. Plus, store brand stuff tends to have lower quality, less refined Proteins which can lead to tolerance issues.

Clearly to each their own, but paying a little more for a high quality Protein *IS* going to be beneficial.
Hell, not even every protein metabolizes the same. This is why I'm taking Casein at night and whey in the morning. Casein is a much slower uptake protein and helps with muscle recovery specifically overnight while you are sleeping. Whey is a faster update protein and is used during the day for muscle and energy support. Having the proper AA's and BCAA's is pretty important.

Yes, that was his point that you dont *need* beyond them, nithing more. He never ssid they were equal or metabolized the same. Just that even the average non bodybuilder mom could get the necessary protein to meet basic needs from a regular trip tp the grocery store.

[GreenTealael 25,352]

How do you all feel about plant Protein since we are on the subject? Not trying to start a fight but I would like to rotate veganism in my lifestyle , I realize I would have to use shakes sometimes and I could live with that but I just FEEL better plant based so I'm looking for realistic ways to get it done and if that means flex fueling that's what I will do...