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Protein Powder Health Risks

Most people want to lead active, healthy lives, and sometimes, a supplement seems like a great way to help build muscle and burn fat. Protein powders are very popular among bodybuilders and other athletes because they see results from their exercising efforts more quickly than without the protein powders. However, protein powders are not without their risks.

  1. Kidney Issues

    • Every human being needs to intake some protein to stay healthy. However, your body is made to use a set amount of protein. According to Your Doctor.com, too much protein can stress the kidneys and the liver if ingested for a long period of time. In fact, too much protein over a number of years can reduce kidney function and may cause kidney failure in some people. High protein intake can create a toxic environment because your body cannot excrete the additional acids.

    Casein and Cancer Link

    • According to Natural News, Casein, the type of protein found in milk and many protein powders, may cause cancer. The Natural News suggests that there are some early indicators that animal-based proteins promote a variety of cancer types and that casein helped cancer grow in every stage of development. These links are still being researched and are not conclusively proven, according to the Natural News, but until more is known, the risk cannot be ruled out.

    Bone Damage

    • According to Women's Health Information, because of the increase in nitrogen in your system, a diet high in protein may pose long-term health problems to your skeletal system. The body loses calcium in the urine when you ingest excess protein. As calcium and other bone-builders are removed from your bones, they travel through urine to the kidneys. Once there, they can become kidney stones. Kidney stones can be extremely painful both because of their size and because they may block the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder. They may even require surgical removal. Over the long term, with the protracted loss of calcium, some people may also develop osteoporosis.

      As is always the case, consult your physician before starting any new diet program. He or she will help you determine the proper amount of protein intake for your body type, level of fitness and exercise regimen.

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