thefonz said:
Generally speaking, a high protein diet has been linked to congestive heart failure, kidney damage, and stones.
That's a common misconception. Kidney damage from protein happens to people who already have existing kidney problems. If you have healthy kidneys dietary protein won't pose a problem.
Kidney stones are mineral salts (usually calcium based) that precipitate out of the urine, and accumulate over time in the kidneys, snowballing in size.
A different class of proteins causes all the problems you listed. Things like signal proteins, antibodies, enzymes... these are all proteins. But the are
not the same! These are produced inside the body for various internal functions. If they are not produced in the right amount, it can lead to lots of problems, like heart faliure, alzheimers, infections because of a weak immune system, etc.
These are not the same as the proteins you get from your diet. They are made from proteins you get from your diet.
You really don't need that much protein, even if your trying to build muscle...if you're trying to look like jay culter, perhaps you need 1.5 grams of protein per pound of lean body weight. But why you would want to look like that is beyond my comprehension. 10-15% protein intake is enough. Jack claims he got all his protein from egg whites, fish and nuts. He's a semi-vegetarian.
Not only that, but Jay Cutler has an abnormally high protein metabolism because of the steroids he is taking. He can use all 1.5g/lb of body of protein he's taking. An athlete who is not on drugs, can use only something like ~0.8g/lb of protein. If you eat more, the body takes what it needs, ~0.8g/lb, and the rest is burned as fuel, like carbs are.