Have you recently started eating (more) protein and do you notice that you don't feel completely great? That could be because you're eating too much protein! There are a number of signals your body sends out to let you know that you're taking in too much protein, so we've outlined them to help you avoid getting it.
Even if you drink exactly the same amount of water, you may feel dehydrated if you eat a diet rich in meat, protein, Greek yogurt and other protein-rich foods. This is probably because these foods contain a lot of nitrogen, a substance that your body excretes. When you eat a lot of protein, your body will work harder to get rid of this substance and you will have to urinate more. That in turn can lead to dehydration.
Headaches and general fatigue are two potential side effects of dehydration due to excess protein. They can also arise when your body is in ketosis, which happens when you mainly eat protein. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body uses fat as an energy fuel instead of carbohydrates. You may feel weak because you have little sugar in your body and be tired because you have used up your sugar stores.
Many people who follow a high-protein diet complain of bad breath. In fact, your breath will smell like rotten fruit. That's because your body can produce acetone when it's in ketosis. Yes, the same ingredient as in nail polish remover. There are also two amino acids in proteins that could cause bad breath. These amino acids, cysteine and methionine, contain sulfur, which can also contribute to bad breath.
If you eat a lot of protein, there is a good chance that you eat something else less often, such as carbohydrates. But if you eat fewer carbohydrates, chances are you'll get less fiber, which can lead to constipation. As a woman, you should get 21 to 25 grams of fiber per day. You can get that fiber from foods like multigrain products and legumes. Those fibers help to soften and relax your bowel movements, which can help you prevent constipation.
If you already have kidney problems, eating too much protein can have a significant impact. Eating a lot of protein for a long period of time can lead to kidney damage. That can have a number of causes. When you eat a lot of animal protein (such as in meat, eggs and seafood) you can store more uric acid in your body, which can lead to kidney stones. A high-protein diet also reduces urinary citrate in your body, a chemical that prevents you from getting kidney stones.
Image:Livestrong.com
