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Protein is one of three types of macro nutrients that are useful for optimal body functions. However, if excess protein, especially without intake of fat or carbohydrates, can actually harm the body. Too much protein can turn into toxins in the body, especially for people on a high protein diet who need special supervision. Then what is the danger? Learn more about protein poisoning below.

What is protein poisoning?

Protein poisoning is a condition in which the body has excess protein, but not enough fat and carbohydrates for a long period of time. This condition is also known as "rabbit starvation" or mall de caribou.

The term originated when American explorers had to survive on lean meat such as rabbit meat. Even though you get enough calories from protein, the body still suffers from nutritional deficiencies, especially fats and carbohydrates. As a result, nutritional needs are not balanced.

Protein consists of amino acids which will be metabolized by the liver and kidneys. The process of protein metabolism is the process of breaking down proteins that are used to replace proteins in the body. When protein is excessive, the body will experience increased levels of ammonia, urea, and amino acids which then become toxic in the blood. Although relatively rare, poisoning this protein can be fatal.

Causes excess protein

Signs and symptoms of your body having excess protein include the following:

Nausea
Headache
Mood swings
Fatigue
Low blood pressure
Hunger and cravings variety of food
Diarrhea
Heart rate slows down
Dehydration

These symptoms will subside when you reduce the protein content in the diet and replace it with fat or carbohydrate intake. However, if left untreated for weeks, protein poisoning can be life threatening.

In order to function optimally, the body needs macro and micro nutrient intake. Macro nutrients are nutrients that produce calories in the body, namely protein, carbohydrates and fats. Meanwhile, micronutrients are nutrients needed by the body but will not supply calories, namely vitamins and minerals.

If these two components are too little or too much, then the body's functions will be impaired. Even though the body gets sufficient calorie intake from just one type of macro nutrient, the body still needs other nutrients so that the body functions in a balanced manner.

Excess protein is defined as protein intake that is more than 35 percent of total calories or equal to 175 grams of protein for every 2,000 calories. This figure is included in the acceptable distribution of macro nutrients (AMDR), which is a reference to the body's nutritional needs used to reduce the risk of developing chronic disease.

Protein intake that exceeds that number (more than 35 percent of calories) will not provide the same benefits to the body, instead causing protein poisoning. However, this also depends on a person's height and weight, level of physical activity, and health condition.

What is the recommended daily amount of protein intake?

The need for protein per day for each person is certainly different. This is adjusted to your weight and height, age, health condition, and your physical activity every day. However, simply the daily protein requirement is in the range 0.8-1 gram per kilogram (kg) of body weight. So, if you weigh 60 kg, then your daily protein requirement is around 48-60 grams.

According to the Ministry of Health's recommended Nutritional Adequacy Rate, adult women with normal nutritional status need 56-59 grams of protein per day. Meanwhile, adult men with normal nutritional status need 62-66 grams of protein a day.

To find out exactly how much protein you need in a day, consult directly with a doctor or nutritionist. Meanwhile, to ensure the protein needs of children, discuss with your pediatrician or child's nutritionist.

How to treat protein poisoning?

In principle, protein poisoning occurs because the body has excess protein and at the same time lacks fat and carbohydrates. Therefore, reduce your protein intake by no more than 2 grams per kilogram of body weight and increase your intake of fat and carbohydrates from your diet. Thus, you can treat protein poisoning in the body while increasing the need for fiber.

For those of you who are on a high protein diet, you don't really need to worry. Most high-protein diets such as the Atkins, ketogenic, and paleo diets both encourage high fat intake and some carbohydrate intake. This does not allow protein poisoning because there is already intake of fat and carbohydrates. However, because of the many diets that offer high protein, this is still something to watch out for.

So, you are strongly discouraged from eliminating fats and carbohydrates in your diet in order to promote protein. For this reason, find a diet that suits your body condition by consulting your doctor or nutritionist first.