High-protein diets are well-liked for helping with weight loss and muscle gain.
But, new studies show these diets might harm our heart health, increasing the risk of artery disease and heart problems. This finding comes from research that looks closely at how protein affects our hearts.
What the Research Shows
A University of Pittsburgh study published in Nature Metabolism found that eating too much protein, especially from animal sources like meat, eggs, and milk, can cause serious heart issues.
It turns out that diets with more than 22% protein can make certain immune cells too active. This overactivity can lead to artery damage because of a buildup of harmful substances in the blood vessels.
Researchers did several tests, including studies on humans, to see how protein affects our bodies. They found that eating meals with at least 25 grams of protein can raise the levels of a specific amino acid in our blood, leading to artery damage.
Finding the Right Balance
The study's co-author, Professor Babak Razani, warns against eating too much protein.
He suggests that while protein is good for muscles and feeling full, there's a limit to how much we should have. Eating too much can hurt our arteries, so more research is needed to find the right amount of protein that's healthy for our hearts.
The Big Picture
Past studies have linked a lot of animal protein to heart disease, diabetes, and kidney problems.
With heart disease being a leading cause of death, it's important to understand how what we eat affects our health.
