Whatever method of nutrition a person chooses for himself, he will be called the sonorous and well-known by the whole word “diet”. Scientists have long proved that not only the health of the whole organism, but also the good condition of individual organs, as well as psychological health , largely depend on the quality of products and diet . Therefore, nutrition should be well balanced and contain a sufficient amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals.
At the same time, an excess of one or another element can harm health no less than its lack. And if a lot has already been written about the dangers of excessive consumption of fats and carbohydrates, there is still debate about whether the protein is harmful.
What is protein for?
When we talk about a balanced diet, it is not only about the quality of the consumed products, but also about observing their correct ratio. For example, for the three main elements - proteins, fats and carbohydrates, it is 1: 1: 4, respectively.
As can be seen from this small scheme, the proteins in the daily diet make up one sixth of the total amount of food. This is true for an ordinary person and allows him to consume all the necessary elements with food. But to find out how harmful proteins are, you need to understand the mechanism of their action.
If a person is engaged in a sport that requires a significant increase in muscle mass - fitness, powerlifting or bodybuilding - then the amount of protein in his diet increases dramatically and reaches 30-35% of the total amount of food. This is because protein is the basis for muscle building.
Such an unnatural imbalance can not only increase athletic performance, but at the same time shake health. Therefore, you should examine in more detail whether the protein is actually harmful.
How protein works
Protein is essential for building muscle - any novice bodybuilder can tell you this. But few of them know that the consumed protein itself does not work as a building material. Because in the human body it first breaks down into "bricks" - amino acids, and only after that protein compounds are formed on their basis, which will participate in the creation of strong muscles.
The muscles themselves are built on the basis of "patching cracks." That is, the athlete during the peak tension creates muscle stress, as a result of which microcracks appear in the tissues of the muscles, which, during rest, patch protein compounds, while increasing their mass and volume. It is for this that proteins are needed by the bodybuilder.
In addition, before talking about whether the protein is harmful, you need to know that the eggs, milk, meat or fish that are used to get it during normal nutrition are not 100% absorbed by the body. At the same time, special protein supplements are absorbed almost completely.
Who is harmful to protein
To understand whether a protein has contraindications for a particular person, it is necessary to pay attention to the peculiarities of his health. Because each of us may have an individual intolerance to certain types of protein. This is often expressed in allergic reactions to the skin and intestinal upset.
In addition, excessive protein intake to increase athletic performance or reduce weight by replacing fats with protein foods is contraindicated in people with kidney failure and some other types of kidney disease.
Particular attention should be paid to men on soy protein, which is a protein of plant origin and does not contain all the enzymes necessary for the life of the body. But most importantly, it may include phytoestrogens. These substances are similar to estrogens - female sex hormones, and can harm a man.
Whether the protein is harmful in other cases is unknown. So far, he has not shown any harmful side effects with prolonged use. Although in any case, before you start using new nutritional supplements, it is better to consult with an appropriate specialist first.