Hi,

I just wanted to know is there a such thing as too much protein? I read somewhere that if u take in too much protein it will produce too much glucose! Is this true? Could somebody pls clear this up for me? THANX IN ADVANCE

In the absence of consumed carbohydrates, the liver will convert a small portion of protein to glucose, to meet the body's requirement. However, even the 20 gram carb level of Atkins' Induction should provide sufficient minimal carbs to meet this need. Protein is NOT automatically converted to glucose. It's broken down into the individual amino acid components, and used for tissue, enzyme, hormone and cell building, nourishment and repair. The waste products are nitrogen-based (urea) and are excreted via the kidneys.

Can you eat too much protein? I suppose if you ate huge 16 oz. portions of meat, half a dozen eggs and 3 or 4 high-protein sports drinks every single day ... that could prove to be quite taxing on one's system, and wallet too ..

In Protein Power, the Drs. Eades recommend that you consume 0.6 gm protein for every lb. of your lean body mass ... and an absolute minimum of 60 grams per day. The need for protein goes up if you're athletic, very large, or young & growing still. I highly recommend that you borrow a copy of either Protein Power (1996) or Protein Power Lifeplan (2000) and read the chapters on protein requirement. You should be able to find these books at your library. For a WebMD interview with the Eades, where they discuss protein requirement, click here.

Hope this helps. By the way, welcome aboard .. .. What lowcarb plan are you following?

Doreen

thanks Doreen,

CurrentlyIm on the Atkins plan. But my goal is not to lose a lot of bodyweight. But rather b/f% currenly I am at 8%, I would like to get down to 5 %. Because I am a competitve bodybuilder. This diet works well for me because it acts as a natural diuretic and also allows me to maintain muscle mass!! THANX FOR UR RESPONSE!! PEACE!!

Flex, do a bit of searching for Lyle McDonald, author of The Ketogenic Diet (I think that's the title).

He's THE MAN when it comes to mass-building and low carb knowledge.

Enjoy.