High-protein diets are all the rage in the fitness community, and they’ve slowly found their way into the lives of those who don’t necessarily train as well. But how much protein should you aim for to keep your cells, tissues and organs functioning properly?
According to Harvard Health, this question is difficult to answer. There are measurements based on weight, numbers based on activity level, and concerns about where your protein comes from. For a person weighing 140 pounds, the upper limit might be 125 grams per day, Harvard Health suggests, but that number could change based on new research.
However, there is such a thing as eat too much protein. Interestingly, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has also been linked to excessive protein consumption. “Hepatic steatosis is a manifestation of excessive accumulation of triglycerides in the liver… If you eat too many carbohydrates and proteins, they can be converted to triglycerides. These are stored in fat cells, and can be deposit in the liver,” explained gastroenterologist Deepa Shah (via Honor health). Perhaps it’s a reminder that too much of a good thing can also become bad for your body.
