I'm into bodybuilding and am on a high protein diet. I would like to know if a high protein diet can be detrimental to internal organs such as the liver or kidneys. Thanks in advance.
REPLY:
It is true that a high protein diet is harmful to individuals with chronic and advanced liver and kidney disease. In a healthy person, however, there is probably less potential for such dietary damage. It is tough to generalize from your question since the definitions for "high" or even "protein" (animal, vegetable, amino acid formulas, etc.) leave so much room for controversy.
When in doubt one could always look elsewhere on the Internet for an answer and I think I may have found one for you so "Let's ask Alice":
Alice--Are there any specific foods or drink products that can build muscle mass faster without adding fat weight? Signed, Slim Fast
Dear Slim Fast,
In one word--no. Muscle powders have been around for years and the ads are no longer in just muscle mags. The ads can now be seen during sports shows, especially televised body building competitions. They are so convincing that it's hard to believe they don't help build muscle any faster -but they don't. Although extra calories are needed whenever you markedly increase your exercise routine, the increase does not need to come from only protein, which is what a lot of the labels on the muscle powders imply. The actual need for protein only goes up about 10-15 grams per day (and that is for a serious 5-6 day split routine!). The calories should actually come from complex carbohydrates such as beans, potatoes, and whole grains. Remember, the calories that you don't use will be converted and stored as fat.
For more information on the subject of body building and nutrition, I recommend the book "Built on Balance". It was written by a female champion body builder who only competes in steroid free competitions.
Alice
Okay, you say, so who is this know-it-all Alice?
About Go Ask Alice!
Go Ask Alice! is an interactive question and answer line from the Healthwise office, Health Education division of Columbia University Health Services. Alice will answer 10-12 questions each week about health, either yours or that of your friends. This includes questions about relationships, nutrition and diet, drugs, sex, alcohol, and stress.
Questions will be answered anonymously and publicly in Alice's Questions & Answers. Alice operates in this manner because usually if one person has a question, so do many others! It may take up to one month for Alice to answer your question, and in some cases she may not get to it at all. Please search the questions that have already been answered to see if you can find the information you need.
If you have an imminent medical problem, do not wait for an answer from Alice, instead GO TO HEALTH SERVICES IN JOHN JAY HALL AND SEE A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!!!
Alice lives on the Internet (lynx or www) at:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/healthwise/about.html
Answered by Dr. Bruce R. Sckolnick
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NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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