How much protein can you absorb at once?

[Chimpy1993]

Like the title says, how much protein can you really absorb at once? I've heard numerous things and so far and I have come to believe that your body can only absorb and utilize 40g of protein at a time. Is this true? If not, then how much can you absorb?

[Bramble]

all depends on your size. you cant sit there and tell me a 90lbs school girl can absorb as much protein per hour as a 220lbs muscle monster

[Chimpy1993]

bump

[Bramble]

bump

why are you bumping i just gave you the answer. would you be happier with someone telling you an exact number like "no you can only digest 37.43 grams per hour"?

[Chimpy1993]

why are you bumping i just gave you the answer. would you be happier with someone telling you an exact number like "no you can only digest 37.43 grams per hour"?

I'm not going to base my answer off only one response. I want to see what several people think so I can get a well rounded answer.

[IEatPowerRacks]

Define "absorb." Your question is too vague - do you mean digest (which would be a LOT) or used for protein synthesis or how much of the calories are used? What is the time period of "at once?"

[cruzin87]

It definately depends on your size. Also your body is much more efficient at absorbing smaller amounts of protien more frequently throughout a day, such as 40g, rather one or two 100g amounts a day.

[Chimpy1993]

absorb means to use. I've heard that your body has a limit on the amount of protein it can absorb for usage at one sitting (one meal at a time)

[asto_86]

absorb means to use. I've heard that your body has a limit on the amount of protein it can absorb for usage at one sitting (one meal at a time)

ur a kid barely over 100lbs... You won't be able to eat enough protein in one sitting to worry about it. I've eaten over 250g in 10 minutes from pure chicken breast and it was all utilized as a point of reference for you.. When you sht out a piece of whole food I'll be the first to say you found the limit.. Till then, eat up and shut up

[kusok]

This issue has NOT been investigated or studied in depth.

So, we can only speculate. here is what we know:

Solid food proteins (Steak etc) and slow digesting proteins (milk etc) give your body more chance to use more of it. So you can eat a 20+ oz steak (150g protein or so) and it'll take MANY hours to fully digest and get out of your tommy.

So right there, the answer to your question is: More than 150g


It is generally believed by some authorities thou that average people don't need more than 20g per meal, because the rest will simply be shuffled and changed into something else, but it'll keep you fuller longer, and THAT is why it works for dieters. While people who work out can benefit from 40g, but no more is needed.

Biggest strongest people like Met-Rx World's Strongest Man competitors usually try to get at least 30 and at most 70g per meal.

So, I guess the answer is all over the place.

[Manikuba]

You will never find a set answer, and its something you shouldn't even worry about. If you want to eat 100g of protein in one sitting it wont hurt you.

[zaidxela]

ur a kid barely over 100lbs... You won't be able to eat enough protein in one sitting to worry about it. I've eaten over 250g in 10 minutes from pure chicken breast and it was all utilized as a point of reference for you.. When you sht out a piece of whole food I'll be the first to say you found the limit.. Till then, eat up and shut up

lol, but how do you really feel about the situation haha, jk man, but yea, i could care less on how much i eat per meal too , as long as the minimum requirements are met.. (protein that is)

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm not going to base my answer off only one response. I want to see what several people think so I can get a well rounded answer.

Ok, I second this:

all depends on your size. you cant sit there and tell me a 90lbs school girl can absorb as much protein per hour as a 220lbs muscle monster

[Colossal Spoons]

ur a kid barely over 100lbs... You won't be able to eat enough protein in one sitting to worry about it. I've eaten over 250g in 10 minutes from pure chicken breast and it was all utilized as a point of reference for you.. When you sht out a piece of whole food I'll be the first to say you found the limit.. Till then, eat up and shut up

Do want haha

[AznBadBOI]

like 50g bro

[IEatPowerRacks]

It definately depends on your size. Also your body is much more efficient at absorbing smaller amounts of protien more frequently throughout a day, such as 40g, rather one or two 100g amounts a day.

Don't listen to this kid - there is zero scientific basis in his statements.

absorb means to use. I've heard that your body has a limit on the amount of protein it can absorb for usage at one sitting (one meal at a time)

Use.... still ridiculously vague. Use for what? You mean digest? It'll digest all of it - the calories don't go anywhere, your body will "use" all of it, or at least almost all.

[cruzin87]

w w w . bodybuilding.com/fun/berardi77.htm

[herestolife1000]

sidenote- if you take a 30g protien shake and eat a chicken breast at the same time, they won't go into your system the same, the chicken takes time to digest, so my theory would be eat as much as you can with good protein, and your body will naturally slowly absorb it

[Ghosting]

ur a kid barely over 100lbs... You won't be able to eat enough protein in one sitting to worry about it. I've eaten over 250g in 10 minutes from pure chicken breast and it was all utilized as a point of reference for you.. When you sht out a piece of whole food I'll be the first to say you found the limit.. Till then, eat up and shut up

Just an FYI, just because you dont pass out whole foods doesnt mean it was not absorbed. Now being utilized is a different story.

[vivalavelo]

Like the title says, how much protein can you really absorb at once? I've heard numerous things and so far and I have come to believe that your body can only absorb and utilize 40g of protein at a time. Is this true? If not, then how much can you absorb?

I am unable to post the URL as I only have 12 of the 30 forum posts to do so, but I found this on the NPR website:

Big Protein Portions Don't Mean More Muscle
By Deborah Franklin.

"They found that there seems to be a cap in the amount of protein that the typical body can use in a single sitting to make muscle. Only the first 30 grams of pure protein in a meal...Elite athletes and body builders can likely absorb a bit more protein per meal..."

[snorkelman]

I am unable to post the URL as I only have 12 of the 30 forum posts to do so, but I found this on the NPR website:

Big Protein Portions Don't Mean More Muscle
By Deborah Franklin.

"They found that there seems to be a cap in the amount of protein that the typical body can use in a single sitting to make muscle. Only the first 30 grams of pure protein in a meal...Elite athletes and body builders can likely absorb a bit more protein per meal..."

This was referencing the following paper, A moderate serving of high-quality protein maximally stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis in young and elderly subjects. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Sep;109(9):1582-6. Symons TB, et.al

Here's the abstract for you.
http://www.adajournal.org/article/S0...769-X/abstract