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Related:6 Signs You Could Be Eating Too Much Protein
What the Study Found
Lead researcherBabak Razani, MD, PhD, a professor of cardiology at Pitt, highlighted how crucial these findings are for understanding the possible dangers ofovereating protein. “Our study shows that dialing up your protein intake in pursuit of better metabolic health is not a panacea. You could be doing real damage to your arteries,” said Razani in a statement.
The study’s findings are particularly relevant in the context of the typical American diet, which tends to be high in protein and mostly from animal sources. The researchers noted that nearly a quarter of the U.S. consumes more than 22% of their daily calories from protein alone.
Building on their previous research, which found that excess protein intake increases atherosclerosis risk in mice, Razani’s team collaborated with metabolism expertBettina Mittendorfer, Ph.D., of the University of Missouri, Columbia, to further investigate protein’s underlying mechanisms and how they relate to humans.
“We have shown in our mechanistic studies that amino acids, which are really the building blocks of the protein, can trigger disease through specific signaling mechanisms and then also alter the metabolism of these cells,” said Mittendorfer.
The research also found that leucine—a type of amino acid found in foods like beef, eggs and milk—may play a significant role in causing atherosclerosis. This means that leucine could be a primary reason why overconsuming protein is linked to an elevatedheart disease risk. Additionally, plant-based proteins are generally significantly lower in leucine than animal proteins, so it may benefit your heart health to add more high-protein plant-based foods into your eating pattern.
Razani emphasized that while protein is essential for health, moderation is key. “It’s important to look at the diet as a whole and suggest balanced meals that won’t inadvertently exacerbate cardiovascular conditions, especially in people at risk of heart disease and vessel disorders,” he explained.
While these findings reveal the potential risks of consuming too much protein, it’s essential to remember that this is just one study. More research is needed to confirm whether a protein intake exceeding 22% of daily calories is safe, especially considering that the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americansrecommends getting 10 to 35% of daily calories from protein. Try to opt for nutrient-dense protein options, such as fish, legumes, poultry and beans whenever possible.
Related:How Much Protein Do You Need to Eat Every Day?
The Bottom Line
Read Next:Lack of Sleep and Exercise Strongly Correlated with Heart Disease, Says New Study
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.What is atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH. (2022, March 24). NHLBI, NIH.https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosisZhang, X., Kapoor, D., Jeong, S., Fappi, A., Stitham, J., Shabrish, V., Sergin, I., Yousif, E., Rodriguez-Velez, A., Yeh, Y., Park, A., Yurdagul, A., Rom, O., Epelman, S., Schilling, J. D., Sardiello, M., Diwan, A., Cho, J., Stitziel, N. O., . . . Razani, B. (2024). Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signaling and cardiovascular risk.Nature.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-00984-2Eating too much protein is bad for your arteries, and this amino acid is to blame. (2024, February 24). ScienceDaily.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240219130901.htmBerrazaga, I., Micard, V., Gueugneau, M., & Walrand, S. (2019). The Role of the Anabolic Properties of Plant- versus Animal-Based Protein Sources in Supporting Muscle Mass Maintenance: A Critical Review.Nutrients,11(8), 1825.https://doi.org/10.3390/nu110818252020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.USDA.https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdf
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.What is atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH. (2022, March 24). NHLBI, NIH.https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosisZhang, X., Kapoor, D., Jeong, S., Fappi, A., Stitham, J., Shabrish, V., Sergin, I., Yousif, E., Rodriguez-Velez, A., Yeh, Y., Park, A., Yurdagul, A., Rom, O., Epelman, S., Schilling, J. D., Sardiello, M., Diwan, A., Cho, J., Stitziel, N. O., . . . Razani, B. (2024). Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signaling and cardiovascular risk.Nature.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-00984-2Eating too much protein is bad for your arteries, and this amino acid is to blame. (2024, February 24). ScienceDaily.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240219130901.htmBerrazaga, I., Micard, V., Gueugneau, M., & Walrand, S. (2019). The Role of the Anabolic Properties of Plant- versus Animal-Based Protein Sources in Supporting Muscle Mass Maintenance: A Critical Review.Nutrients,11(8), 1825.https://doi.org/10.3390/nu110818252020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.USDA.https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdf
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
What is atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH. (2022, March 24). NHLBI, NIH.https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosisZhang, X., Kapoor, D., Jeong, S., Fappi, A., Stitham, J., Shabrish, V., Sergin, I., Yousif, E., Rodriguez-Velez, A., Yeh, Y., Park, A., Yurdagul, A., Rom, O., Epelman, S., Schilling, J. D., Sardiello, M., Diwan, A., Cho, J., Stitziel, N. O., . . . Razani, B. (2024). Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signaling and cardiovascular risk.Nature.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-00984-2Eating too much protein is bad for your arteries, and this amino acid is to blame. (2024, February 24). ScienceDaily.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240219130901.htmBerrazaga, I., Micard, V., Gueugneau, M., & Walrand, S. (2019). The Role of the Anabolic Properties of Plant- versus Animal-Based Protein Sources in Supporting Muscle Mass Maintenance: A Critical Review.Nutrients,11(8), 1825.https://doi.org/10.3390/nu110818252020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.USDA.https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdf
What is atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH. (2022, March 24). NHLBI, NIH.https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis
Zhang, X., Kapoor, D., Jeong, S., Fappi, A., Stitham, J., Shabrish, V., Sergin, I., Yousif, E., Rodriguez-Velez, A., Yeh, Y., Park, A., Yurdagul, A., Rom, O., Epelman, S., Schilling, J. D., Sardiello, M., Diwan, A., Cho, J., Stitziel, N. O., . . . Razani, B. (2024). Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signaling and cardiovascular risk.Nature.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-00984-2
Eating too much protein is bad for your arteries, and this amino acid is to blame. (2024, February 24). ScienceDaily.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240219130901.htm
Berrazaga, I., Micard, V., Gueugneau, M., & Walrand, S. (2019). The Role of the Anabolic Properties of Plant- versus Animal-Based Protein Sources in Supporting Muscle Mass Maintenance: A Critical Review.Nutrients,11(8), 1825.https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081825
2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.USDA.https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdf
