Alright, so you’ve probably heard about some of the health trends making waves this year, right? From the Oura ring to Pilates classes to weight-loss drugs, there’s a lot to keep up with. But one trend that’s causing a bit of a stir among health professionals is the idea of eating too much protein. I mean, it’s everywhere you look these days – protein popcorn, ice cream with extra protein, not to mention the good old protein bar.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – protein is essential for muscle growth, hair growth, digestion, and hormone regulation, so how can it be bad? Well, it turns out that like most things in life, there can be too much of a good thing. According to Melanie Murphy Richter, a registered dietitian, some adults are consuming up to three times the amount of protein their bodies actually need. And that excess, especially from animal sources, could be doing more harm than good in the long run.
But wait, it gets even more interesting. Turns out, too much protein, especially from animal sources like eggs, beef, and chicken, can actually speed up the aging process. Who knew, right? Dr. Joseph Antoun, a longevity expert, explains that too much protein can activate a growth pathway in the body that, although helpful when we’re growing, can actually accelerate aging in adulthood. So, if you’re chowing down on more protein than your body needs, you might want to rethink your diet. Maybe it’s time to find that balance between too little and too much.
