Eating too much protein can raise your risk of getting cancer
Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet. It helps build and repair muscles, promotes weight loss, increases satiety and reduces fat. However, the high protein diets that exceed the recommended daily amount have been associated with several health risks including cancer.
Studies have shown that diets that are high in protein, particularly in red meat-based protein are linked with increased risk of cancer. Eating protein from other sources has been associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Researchers believe that this can be due to the carcinogenic compounds and fat in the meat.
According to the studies, extra protein in your diet can up your risk of dying from cancer by 4 per cent. Not just this, meat lovers are more likely to die of diabetes.
Even if you consume a moderate amount of protein, you may still be three times more likely to die of cancer than those who get less than ten per cent of their calories from protein.
The study included 6,138 participants over the age of fifty and was published in Cell Metabolism and authored by Valter Longo.
How much protein is too much?
On an average, one should eat about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, says several studies and health agencies. For example, if your weight is 50 kilos, you should eat no more than 40 grams of protein daily.
The protein diet
High protein diet: When you get 20 per cent of your calories or more from protein, including both plant-based and animal-based.
Moderate protein diet: When you get 10 to 15 per cent of your calories from protein.
Low protein diet: When you get 10 per cent or less of your calories from protein.
According to the study, the amount of carbs and fat a person ate, did not seem to play a role in the rates of cancer.
What you can do?
The answer is simple and obvious, cut back your protein intake, especially that come from meat, dairy and cheese. But do not go extreme as that can make you malnourished very quickly.
The good news is having a low level of protein reduces the likelihood of early death by 21 per cent.
But once you turn 65, you can make your protein intake moderate as protein protects against frailty and muscle loss, which is common as you age.
Studies have shown that diets that are high in protein, particularly in red meat-based protein are linked with increased risk of cancer. Eating protein from other sources has been associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Researchers believe that this can be due to the carcinogenic compounds and fat in the meat.
According to the studies, extra protein in your diet can up your risk of dying from cancer by 4 per cent. Not just this, meat lovers are more likely to die of diabetes.
Even if you consume a moderate amount of protein, you may still be three times more likely to die of cancer than those who get less than ten per cent of their calories from protein.
The study included 6,138 participants over the age of fifty and was published in Cell Metabolism and authored by Valter Longo.
How much protein is too much?
On an average, one should eat about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, says several studies and health agencies. For example, if your weight is 50 kilos, you should eat no more than 40 grams of protein daily.
The protein diet
High protein diet: When you get 20 per cent of your calories or more from protein, including both plant-based and animal-based.
Moderate protein diet: When you get 10 to 15 per cent of your calories from protein.
Low protein diet: When you get 10 per cent or less of your calories from protein.
According to the study, the amount of carbs and fat a person ate, did not seem to play a role in the rates of cancer.
What you can do?
The answer is simple and obvious, cut back your protein intake, especially that come from meat, dairy and cheese. But do not go extreme as that can make you malnourished very quickly.
The good news is having a low level of protein reduces the likelihood of early death by 21 per cent.
But once you turn 65, you can make your protein intake moderate as protein protects against frailty and muscle loss, which is common as you age.