Protein- How much is to much?

[Mateo74]

So I have been working out for some time now and watch my diet pretty close. I keep my protein intake at 1.25-1.5 times my body weight per day. I take 2 protein shakes a day sometimes 3. Each containing one scoop at 21 grams per scoop and the remaining protein I get from food sources. I have heard that the body can only process so much protein at one time. I keep hearing about 35-40 grams, but I cannot find any information on the internet verifying this. So I was at the supplement store today getting my usual whey protein and the guy in there keep trying to up sale me on this protein that provided 60 gram of protein per serving. This got me thinking about how much the body can absorb at one time. If it can absorb as much as it is giving then why hasn't someone came out with 100 grams of protein per scoop or 200 grams. After all protein is the building block of muscle. So my question is this, does any one have any proof that I should be taking in more grams in my shake like the guy at the store was trying to sell me on? I know he was trying to upsale for his commision but is there any truth behind the 35-40 grams processed at one time?

Thanks for your answers..

[JohnTheBlaze]

Good question...I am looking for some clarification on this myself.

[GTmauf]

There might be some truth behind it, but it would be subjective to the individual. Everyone's body is different and can handle different amounts of nutrients overtime/at a time. If you don't feel any GI issues with 60g of protein I don't see why there would be cause to try to consume less.

You can add some fats with your protein to allow for a slower absorption rate if it makes you feel more comfortable.

[IGF-WON]

theres is no real answer for everyone. well actually there is.... it depends. It depends on a lot of things like training experience, size and more

[belairdfence99]

is there any truth behind the 35-40 grams processed at one time?

The 100% honest truth to this answer is that scientists do not know yet, that is one reason why people trying to gain muscle eat more than 3 meals a day, to be on the safe side. The body is very efficient and I highly doubt that it will refuse protein if you're body needs it. That being said, your body doesn't need more than 1-1.5g per pound of BW.

[Canz]

everyone is different

it also depends on your goals

if i am cutting i will have around 250-300max

if i am bulking from 200-250max

[jdogg772000]

I have done some poking around about this too, because common sense tells me there HAS to be a "TOO MUCH" when it comes to protein.

What I found was somewhat inconclusive, but the short story I found was:

1. "Only 30 grams in a sitting" shouldn't be taken seriously, sort of a myth or old medicine.
2. The body cannot store amino acids.
3. Eating more protein than you can use can strain the liver (not really proven, from what I saw).
4. Extra protein gets turned into aminos, and if unused for muscle, ends up in the digestive tract (and makes you "gassy").

Pretty all over the place, but every fitness guru and diet seems to agree that adding protein is good for you. I guess the question of how much is relative.

[hooked4life]

For me it's a moot issue, instead I ask how much I need. I'm having great luck with 1 gram per lean pound while cutting. Haven't lost real strength or size and I'm losing 1 pound a week.

Leaves more room for tasty carbs. I don't see why anyone would think they need much more than that.

[GTmauf]

I have done some poking around about this too, because common sense tells me there HAS to be a "TOO MUCH" when it comes to protein.

What I found was somewhat inconclusive, but the short story I found was:

1. "Only 30 grams in a sitting" shouldn't be taken seriously, sort of a myth or old medicine.
2. The body cannot store amino acids.
3. Eating more protein than you can use can strain the liver (not really proven, from what I saw).
4. Extra protein gets turned into aminos, and if unused for muscle, ends up in the digestive tract (and makes you "gassy").

Pretty all over the place, but every fitness guru and diet seems to agree that adding protein is good for you. I guess the question of how much is relative.

I believe the strain COULD be potentiated to the kidneys, not the liver. This has only been shown to be the case in individuals who have poorly functioning kidneys in the first place.

[Mateo74]

I believe the strain COULD be potentiated to the kidneys, not the liver. This has only been shown to be the case in individuals who have poorly functioning kidneys in the first place.

Good stuff Guys,

So if the body is suggestive, then why has a company come out with a protein that will give you 100 grams of protein. Like a said after all protein is the main ingredient in building muscle and most protein out there are typically 20 grams per serving. You know a company can make that as potent as they want. I guess they just haven't came out with any scientific proof yet. It seem like if you can only digest so much at a time you would be waisting any above that amount.

[GTmauf]

Good stuff Guys,

So if the body is suggestive, then why has a company come out with a protein that will give you 100 grams of protein. Like a said after all protein is the main ingredient in building muscle and most protein out there are typically 20 grams per serving. You know a company can make that as potent as they want. I guess they just haven't came out with any scientific proof yet. It seem like if you can only digest so much at a time you would be waisting any above that amount.

Correct, 100 grams per serving would be excessive considering first off most individuals consume somewhere between 200-300g per day.

I think most people would then end up using like 1/2 servings 1/4 servings of the product. Plus then this wouldn't allow much room to add some CHO to the serving either if each was 100g of protein.

[IGF-WON]

Good stuff Guys,

So if the body is suggestive, then why has a company come out with a protein that will give you 100 grams of protein. Like a said after all protein is the main ingredient in building muscle and most protein out there are typically 20 grams per serving. You know a company can make that as potent as they want. I guess they just haven't came out with any scientific proof yet. It seem like if you can only digest so much at a time you would be waisting any above that amount.

like someone said, it wouldnt matter. it would just be a bigger scoop. you could just use 5 scoops of the 20g one and it would be the exact same

[jdogg772000]

I believe the strain COULD be potentiated to the kidneys, not the liver. This has only been shown to be the case in individuals who have poorly functioning kidneys in the first place.

Thanks for the correction.

Good stuff Guys,

So if the body is suggestive, then why has a company come out with a protein that will give you 100 grams of protein. Like a said after all protein is the main ingredient in building muscle and most protein out there are typically 20 grams per serving. You know a company can make that as potent as they want. I guess they just haven't came out with any scientific proof yet. It seem like if you can only digest so much at a time you would be waisting any above that amount.

Taking into account supplements are not regimented by the FDA, a company could just make such a product because they knew people would buy it. To prohibit them from doing so, you would have to prove excess protein is harmful to the average person, I suppose(?).

[Flex500]

So I have been working out for some time now and watch my diet pretty close. I keep my protein intake at 1.25-1.5 times my body weight per day. I take 2 protein shakes a day sometimes 3. Each containing one scoop at 21 grams per scoop and the remaining protein I get from food sources. I have heard that the body can only process so much protein at one time. I keep hearing about 35-40 grams, but I cannot find any information on the internet verifying this. So I was at the supplement store today getting my usual whey protein and the guy in there keep trying to up sale me on this protein that provided 60 gram of protein per serving. This got me thinking about how much the body can absorb at one time. If it can absorb as much as it is giving then why hasn't someone came out with 100 grams of protein per scoop or 200 grams. After all protein is the building block of muscle. So my question is this, does any one have any proof that I should be taking in more grams in my shake like the guy at the store was trying to sell me on? I know he was trying to upsale for his commision but is there any truth behind the 35-40 grams processed at one time?

Thanks for your answers..

you have to remember something not all protein goes to building muscle. Everyone else answered most of your questions but honestly you probably don't need more than 1 times your bodyweight.

Just remember the amount of muscle you build is not solely based on protein intake. So if you ate 800 grams of protein a day your not going to build more than if you ate 200.

Now of course if you get insufficient protein that is a problem but it won't happen if you are getting 1 gram times your weight and honestly that is probably even more than you really need.

But again to many people around here think it is a lenear equation, more muscle more protein, more muscle, more protein, more muscle more protein. It just doesn't work like that.

[determined4000]

this may help
http://www.humankinetics.com/eJourna.../pdfs/5642.pdf

[Mateo74]

Determined4000


Thanks for the info it actually answered my queston. To bad it could not have been written so that a fifth grader can understand it but it worked anyway. Thanks man