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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are there any negative side effects to taking protein supplements?

    Related Topics
    Fitness and Sports Medicine Nutrition
    • 2 answers
    • Elizabeth Newsham-West
    • Arlene Normand
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    Elizabeth Newsham-West

    Dietitian

    To answer the question the reason for protein supplementation is important to know.

    If you are malnourished or have a disease pathology which is causing you to be low in protein or lose protein then protein supplementation may be required if you are unable to achieve this with your diet. This will be monitored by a Dietitian, GP or your Specialist as they will know your medical information. They will recommend the appropriate supplement to meet your medical needs, monitor your blood test and other measures and it will be beneficial for you.

    There are a number of clinical reasons where it is important not to have an excessive amounts of protein especially if you have renal disease or risk of renal disease. Adding protein supplements to a diet that is already adequate may have negative effects for you. Many people with chronic lifestyle disease can have impaired renal function so it is important to see you Healthcare professional if you are wanting to supplement with protein powders in addition to an adequate diet. We do not restrict protein in these clinical situations but we do not want excessive amounts either which can easily happen if protein powders are being used on a regular basis.

    If you are choosing to take protein supplements often recommended by the fitness industry then I would read the Australian Institute or Sports comment on protein.
    http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/factsheets/basics/protein_-_how_much

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    Arlene Normand

    Dietitian

    Arlene is a registered practising dietitian, with a private practice in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, and has built a strong business over the last … View Profile

    Taking protein supplements are used in different scenarios. Some people use them for body building in the hope of building muscle more rapidly, others use them when they are undernourished and trying to build up their strength and nutritional status. Protein shakes are often abused by the sporting community as they use them in the hope of building muscle, and often overdo the quantity they consume not realising that the kidney is not constructed to process so much protein.
    Protein powder is just a ‘supplement’ to your normal whole food diet.  If you are lactose intolerant you must be careful which protein powder you select. Isolate contains approximately 1% lactose which is the sugar that causes lactose intolerant individuals to get sick. However, most lactose intolerant individuals usually tolerate such a small amount pretty well. Standard whey protein also has 5-6 % lactose and some lactose intolerant people cannot tolerate this.
    Your kidneys will have a very hard digesting too much of any protein. Too much protein can put a stress o the kidneys. Kidneys are not created to tolerate and process high doses of protein, particularly in cases where there is a presence of Kidney disease.
    Another thing excess protein can do unless you have a certain amount of carbohydrate in the diet, is to put your body into a state known as ketosis. It doesn’t matter what you have heard in the past, prolonged ketosis is bad on your kidneys. Your body will begin to burn fat for energy, which is good; but this is the result of a complete lack of carbohydrates, which is bad.
    Most medical resources regard ketosis as a physiological state associated with chronic starvation. Glucose is regarded as the preferred energy source for all cells in the body, particularly the brain. Ketosis being regarded as a crisis reaction of the body to a lack of carbohydrates in the diet. Ketosis would thus be a dangerous state which unnecessarily stresses the liver and causes destruction of muscle tissues. This is still the view of the majority in the medical and nutritional science communities, although in recent years it has been challenged by a number of promoters and adherents of low-carbohydrate diets, who dispute both the body’s preference for glucose and the dangers associated with ketosis.
    With the ‘protein diet’ Some people drink straight protein shakes all day long. This wrecks havoc on your body.. A good principal for protein supplementation, is that that your diet should be consistent by consuming protein, fats, and carbs in moderation.
    Protein shakes should be part of a balanced diet.
    If an individual is undernourished and not consuming enough protein, then protein shakes are an advantageous addition to a balanced diet. These people will be taking these shakes under the supervision of a doctor or dietitian.



     

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