Posted by boomer on March 22, 1997 at 10:16:26:
In Reply to: Too much protein... with or w/o AS.... destined for renal failure??? posted by Great White on March 21, 1997 at 13:21:01:
: I talked to a nephrologist today about the consumption of protein in excess of 150 grams of
: protein with and with AS use and his reply was:
: There was a study of men who took excess protein (I think >than 150 grams) and divided into groups who used AS
: and those who did not and those who ate smaller amount of protein with out AS. These
: men were then followed for 30 years after the study...
: The results showed that the men who took excess protein developed renal sclerosis more so than those who did not
: and as a consequence ended up in renal dialysis. Those who took AS had even greater
: destruction. I guess I'm heading for the renal lab when I'm fifty or so... but I'll
: be the best looking one there.
Completely untrue. Bodybuilders and many other athletes have been using high protein diets for many decades. Don't you think that
kidney and/or liver failure would be an epidemic by now if this were true?
In a previous course in college, I used to get in major debates with teachers who thought that above RDA levels of protein would
harm the body. They all were unable to give any real proof for this. The only studies that show anything even remotely like this,
have nothing to do with bodybuilders. The studies showed that people with a serious medical condition that reduces the function
of the kidneys and liver, did better on a lower protein diet. Were talkin people who have 1 kidney, use a dialysis machine, have
hepatitis, or possibly cirrhosis from alcohol, or cancer. This has no application for the healthy athlete. Remember, the medical
industry does not care to "waste" the time on a study for bodybuilders. There are no degrees in bodybuilding or weightlifting
nutrition. None. You must be a self made expert and take everything the medical industry says with a grain of salt.
Now, there are some concerns when doing a high protein diet. Large amounts of animal protein will leach calcium from the body,
and it can create an appreciable amount of waste products. As long as you are consuming adequate liquids, a higher protein level
will never hurt you.
From what I have seen, even the average person will benefit from a higher and better quality protein intake. I have seen a great
improvement in immune system, body composition, skin, hair, mood, connective tissue strength, and energy in my patients when they
follow a higher protein (25 to 35% of kcal) diet. Most dramatic is the difference in recovery ability in my bodybuilders, and fat
loss increases in those who were too low previously. Anyone out there who is taking in only 1 to 1.5 grams per kilo of body weight
is seriously slowing down the muscle building potential of your body. Don't believe me? Try increasing your protein intake to 1 to
1.5 grams per pound of bodyweight and see and feel the improvements in your body within 10 days. Also, try increasing your fat and
protein levels when trying to get ripped and see the improvements. I see them in my patients on a daily basis. I have even seen it
with myself. I consume 50 grams of protein at 6 or 7 meals per day. I am steadily getting larger and leaner. I never felt this
good or was this strong until I bumped up my protein intake.
In conclusion, I think the people who believe that high protein will harm are very mis-informed and have never seen any damage on
a first hand basis. They shouldn't be saying that there is no benefit, if they haven't ever given it a try. Have you ever seen a
large and lean bodybuilder who didn't use a high protein diet? Have you ever seen one of your friends at the gym collapse because
his kidneys crashed because of the steak he ate? I didn't think so. So, make sure you are eating lean protein and drinking your
whey and soy protein powder. (soy is a great bodybuilding protein, by the way). And, yes you should be increasing you protein if
you are on a cycle.
Boomer