Side Effects of High Protein Diet

Side Effects of High Protein Diet

1.Kidney Problems

According to National Kidney Foundation, eating too much protein may stress kidneys and contribute to pre-existing kidney problems, high levels of protein in the urine, and kidney stones. Getting plenty of exercise and drinking water can help the kidneys flush wastes out of your system more effectively. Make sure you talk to your doctor before beginning a high protein diet if you have ever experienced kidney problems.

2.You're gaining weight

If you've bulked up on the protein in your diet without cutting calories in other areas, you may find yourself gaining weight. In a 2012 study, researchers found that people assigned a high-protein diet gained the same amount of fat as people assigned to a low-protein, high-fat diet, when both groups overate. The high-protein eaters gained more lean body mass, like muscle, as well, TIME reported.

3.Poor Skin (and Internal Health)

As superficial as it might seem and as unimportant as it might be in the grand scheme, your skin’s health is just as important as any other aspect of your health. Why? Because it shows how healthy the inside of your body is. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and whatever the internal body can’t get rid of, the skin will try to do so itself. This is especially true when it comes to the liver and digestive system having a hard time with internal wastes that can’t be properly removed. When you consume too much (or for some people, even a little) dairy, the skin usually takes a major hit. You’ll see this through acne, redness, splotchy, or just lackluster skin. Many people notice huge improvements to their skin the first few days without dairy. This is because the inside of the body is better able to clean itself out and the skin isn’t left to do all the work itself.

4.Nutrient Deficiencies

Focusing too heavily on one type of nutrient, such as protein, can mean you’re not getting enough other nutrients in your diet. A long-term high-protein diet may put you at increased risk of nutrient deficiencies. When you eat mainly protein-rich foods that come from animal products, you’ll be missing out on dietary fiber from plant proteins, and you may notice symptoms such as digestive problems, constipation or diverticulitis.

5.Low Calcium

Another issue regarding getting too much protein is leeching of calcium from the bones. The acids released by the body as it digests protein are absorbed with the help of calcium. If you aren't getting enough calcium, your body will take calcium from your bones. A Nurses Healthy Study even showed that women who ate more than 95 grams of protein were more likely to have broken their wrist than were women who ate less protein.

6.High protein kidney stones

Kidney problems are some of the most common dangers that have been associated with extended high protein diets. High protein kidney problems include the body’s inability to eliminate all the waste products in the right way. This could further lead to kidney stones. 
Some people adopt such high protein diets just by looking at a friend or acquaintance that shed a lot of pounds in spite of eating foods that are otherwise considered fattening. However, everybody’s body requirements and tolerance levels are different. Therefore, before altering your lifestyle to include a high protein diet, it is important to check with a fitness expert, as well as a doctor, especially for people who are already suffering from existing medical conditions. 

7.Cancer Risks
What’s even worse than digestive disorders is the way dairy contributes to cancer. It’s been found to be a leading cause and contributor to prostate, breast, testicular, and colon cancer. Dairy is not a health food and one can’t be certain how much is too much and how much is okay. Why risk it, we ask? Don’t ignore your health and pretend the little signs don’t matter. They could be the one thing your body is using to tell you that you’re dealing with a more serious health issue. A plant-based diet, free from dairy, has been found one of the best to prevent cancer and other forms of disease