3 Protein Myths, Busted!

By Frank Romeo, M.A. 

Let me preface this article by saying that I love food. All food. Protein consumption is a hobby of mine. This article is written from one protein connoisseur to another, with sincerity and some layman's terms. I only share the truth because I care. Also, because I love evidence-based information, and you deserve to know it.

Protein Myth 1: Consume high amounts of protein for each meal
Many believe that the more protein you consume, the more you will reap its benefits. In the scientific community, this is understood as the dose-response relationship, where the dose (amount of protein) changes the response (benefit of protein). Seen as a picture, this would appear as a rising straight line, indicating more and more protein=more and more benefit. But, the dose-response/benefit curve for protein actually looks like this:
 As you can see, the amount of benefit levels off past the 20 gram dose level. Why take in more calories than you need, and waste your protein in the process?

However, research shows that consuming higher amounts of protein for each meal may not be necessary, but is there any harm in doing it? Actually, there can be.

Consuming protein at a rate that surpasses the body's ability to store it in muscle tissue causes protein to degrade. When protein degrades, nitrogen is produced. The body can convert and remove nitrogen through the urine. However, a review from the International Journal of Sports Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism found that the body is limited in how much nitrogen it can remove from high amounts of protein consumption. The remaining nitrogen can lead to serious health implications and reduce the efficiency of rebuilding muscle tissue, actually working against you.

Recommendation: Ideally, do not exceed 1.3 grams of protein per pound of body weight in one day, and 25 grams of protein per meal. Know that these are maximum values. Optimal protein consumption varies by individual. Follow these basic protein consumption recommendations from Institutional Society of Sports Nutrition, based on your training and size:
·         Strength/Power training: 0.7 – 0.9 g/lb of body weight
·         Endurance training: 0.5 – 0.7 g/lb of body weight
Here are some examples:
·         Person A: 210-pound male weightlifter x 0.8 g protein = 168 g of protein per day
·         Person B: 160-pound female strength & mixed fitness training=128 g of protein per day
·         Person C: 115-pound female swimmer x 0.5 g protein = 57.5 g of protein per day
If it's the end of the day and you haven't consumed your recommended amount of protein, don't sweat it. Make up the difference over the next few days. Including protein in snacks between meals can also help balance protein consumption.

Protein Myth 2: Supplement protein before and during sleep.
"Make sure you wake up at 4 a.m. and take your leucine," says Joe. Joe's a muscular guy. Why not listen to Joe? Because supplementing leucine at 4 a.m. did not make Joe a muscular guy.

Absorption of protein is relatively slow, at a rate of 5-8 grams per hour. Even the absorption rate of "fast-acting" whey protein is about 8-10 grams per hour. To put this in perspective, a juicy steak the size of a deck of cards has about 28 grams of protein and could take 3-5 hours to absorb.

Protein is made up of amino acids, commonly known as the "building blocks." The body naturally keeps a "storage pool" of amino acids inside the muscles. Our bodies take from and add to this pool constantly to preserve muscle and function. A study by the Renal Clinic in Sweden found that the average male has over 100 grams of amino acids in the pool at any given time. Knowing this and the already slow absorption rate of protein, supplementing even more before and during sleep likely provides no additional benefit. This includes the leucine that Joe mentioned, which is the only one of 20 amino acids that can rebuild muscle tissue on its own. Research has yet to provide adequate evidence that supplementing before or during sleep increases muscle growth or decreases muscle breakdown.

Recommendation: Include protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not only will this help ensure adequate protein consumption, but it will also contribute to satiety, reducing the feeling of hunger. Don't disturb your beauty sleep, which plays an important and often overlooked role in muscle building and recovery.

Protein Myth 3: Protein is the priority nutrient.
The benefits of protein change if you don't consume enough carbohydrates and fat in your diet. These nutrients need each other to function properly. A University of Texas study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that protein and carbohydrates consumed together after strength training activate an enzyme known as mTOR, which enhances the rebuilding of muscle tissue. Also, calories from carbohydrates are used in place of protein to replenish energy, and they lower the "stress" hormone cortisol, which would otherwise degrade protein.

Won't carbohydrates slow me down? Quite the opposite, actually. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for exercise, including strength training. A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that you need about 150 grams of carbohydrates per day just for your brain to function properly. Only 3-5% of total daily energy is fueled directly by protein.

As for fat, the "black sheep" of the nutrient family, it provides more calories per gram than both protein and carbohydrates. This fosters an environment for muscle growth. It's also essential in regulating hormones and absorbing certain antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and hence improve recovery.

Recommendation: Prioritize calories from carbohydrates first, then protein, then fat. Recommended carbohydrate intake can vary depending on activities and medical conditions such as diabetes. Try complementing protein-rich foods with carbohydrates such as chicken with a controlled portion of pasta, or steak with potatoes and broccoli. Fat consumption should be between 20 and 30 percent of total calories consumed. Remember, they provide more calories per gram, so this is easier to achieve than you might think. Focus on oils and snacks like nuts or guacamole (you're welcome).