Protein High

It’s one of the building blocks of a healthy diet, but it turns out most of us are taking in way more than recommended. Is that a good thing – or is it possible to consume too much? WH gets the low-down.

- Amy Gorin and Michelle October

What do energy bars, desserts and even milkshakes have in common? They’re all being spiked with protein. It’s clearly this decade’s nutrient superstar, credited with spurring weight loss and building muscle mass. Yet recent research has linked excessive levels of protein to some pretty scary health problems, including vitamin deficiencies and even cancer. Yikes! And there’s more. For instance, when and how you’re getting your quota of the nutrient may be as important as the overall amount you’re racking up. Before you dive into your next steak dinner or whey-powder smoothie, digest this food for thought.

Vague and Confused

There are a few things you’ll count for sure: how many kilometres you can clock before you need to fill up the tank, how many minutes before lunch hour is over, how many kilojoules are in that sandwich. But the exact number, in grams, of protein you’re meant to eat? Bottom of the list. And it’s a little scary if you don’t know that number. For one, there are tons of ways your body uses protein. You need it to build and maintain not only muscle, but also organs, hair, nails, skin, bones and even the neurotransmitters that make your brain function. And not eating enough of the strong stuff means you’ll end up losing muscle over time, says Dr Dwight Matthews, a professor of chemistry and medicine.

If you actually want to increase muscle – which is good for your metabolism and long-term weight maintenance, among many other things – you need to take stock of those digits. But here’s the problem: getting to know how much protein you actually need is a mission.