Effects of Too Much Protein in Your Diet

To understand how too much of protein in a diet is harmful, we have to first understand how it plays a key role in helping our systems function. Protein helps in building muscle, and aiding the immune system while regulating blood circulation. If the body doesn't get its sufficient dose of good fats and carbohydrates, it leans on protein to fulfill the role instead, of supplying fuel. Therefore striking a balance between various nutrients is crucial.

Even hair and nails are made up of protein, where it sustains the bones, skin and cartilage as well. There's only a limited amount of protein that the body requires. It does need a lot of this nutrient for certain functions, but going overboard by eating a lot of protein-rich foods, can have a negative impact on the body. That is why it is important to eat it in moderation.

There are three kinds of this problem that occur; transient (temporary case), persistent (a recurring ailment), and orthostatic (happens when one sits / stands / lies down). The first kind, transient and the last, orthostatic - doesn't require treatment in most cases, with possibly no long-term side effects. Those who have persistent proteinuria on the other hand, may eventually suffer from kidney ailments that will need immediate treatment.. Here we discuss the effects of excess protein in a diet, and how to balance portion intake.

Effects of Excess Protein in One's Diet

When there is too much protein in a person's diet, side effects subsequently occur, altering your overall bodily system. When there is a presence of protein in the body that is way too much for it to handle, it shows up on tests after one has a checkup done, or is experienced through its effect on the body.

Once the damage starts due to excess protein, symptoms arise that one will notice over a period of time. Our bodies send us certain signals that we mustn't ignore, especially if they are persistent. Medical experts say that the symptoms do not occur immediately in a person suffering from proteinuria, where if left unattended and overlooked, it can eventually be experienced. Thus going for regular checkups to keep an eye on one's health, is wise.

• If one has liver / kidney disease, high protein traces are likely to pose as a problem. The rise of acids in the urine's pH level, is caused by the kidney's inability to regulate acid-base levels.
• Can increase the risk of colon cancer.
• Increases one's chances of having a cardiovascular disease.
• Too much protein in the system eats away at calcium from the bones, since this mineral is required for digestion. So if you haven't had enough calcium intake, the body takes it from the bones as a substitute. This in turn makes bones brittle.
• Acts as an irritant towards allergies, making them worse.
• Formation of kidney stones
• Increases the risk of getting diabetes (high levels of ketones).
• Can lead to gout.
• Excessive perspiration takes place. This is because the more protein one eats, the more likely it is for he / she to lose a lot of water from the body. Due to this, it is advisable to drink a lot of water to make up for what the body has lost through urine and sweat.
• Cataracts
• Arteriosclerosis
• Excessive urea in the kidneys will tend to cause a lot of lower back pain. This is because protein has amino acids in them, and when the body breaks it down, it converts it from ammonia to urea, causing one's lower back to hurt.
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Feelings of malaise
• Hypertension
• Nausea, since the body uses the excess protein for energy, due to a lack of either carbohydrates / fats.
• Acid amounts in blood increase.
• Extreme discomfort
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Protein Rich Foods to Eat in Moderation

Balancing food portions is something one should always keep in mind about, like a constant mantra, while eating protein rich meals. Ask a dietician to chalk out a diet plan with the right amount of protein, that is safe for your body to consume:

• Ham
• Fish
• Legumes
• Turkey
• Soya milk
• Chicken
• Pork
• Tofu
• Lamb
• Beans
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Beef
• Dairy products (low or full)
• Protein shakes
• Veal
Nuts and Seeds (watermelon, almonds, peanuts, squash, and pumpkin) Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains

How Much Protein to Take

The ideal amount of protein that the body needs to absorb in a day is, 10 gm/day for babies, 52 gm/day for teen boys, 46 gm/day for teen girls, 56 gm/day for grown men, and 46 gm/day for grown women. Lactating women need to have 71 gm of protein a day, because of deficiency and baby-development requirements.

Accordingly spread out your protein intake over the course of a number of days, as opposed to eating it all at once within a single day. Too much of protein can prove to be quite harmful as you now know. A monitored diet combined with light to moderate exercise, will help you keep off the extra protein. Have a healthy tomorrow.

Throwing Up Blood After Drinking

One of the scariest things that can happen to a person is finding blood in his phlegm or vomit after a night of heavy drinking. The best thing is not to waste time but approach a doctor. For someone who has a habit of regular drinking, this is a clear indicator that you have consumed too much alcohol, and that you need to curb this habit. There are various reasons for regurgitating blood after drinking.

Causes

Rupture in the Gastrointestinal Tract: The upper gastrointestinal tract consists of the mouth, the pharynx, the esophagus, the small intestine and the stomach. This condition stems from a rupture at some point in the gastrointestinal tract. Any one of the organs there can be damaged and be causing the bleeding as a result. Throwing up blood due to an upper gastrointestinal rupture is a condition known as hematemesis. This condition could also indicate that there is a stomach ulcer and this needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately.

Drugs and Medications: There are also some drugs and medications which act as irritants to the pancreas and the stomach, and as a result, a person ends up throwing up blood. It is well-known in medical circles that medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are some of the compounds that can cause irritation in the stomach.

Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is the common liver disease that results in a person throwing up blood. Another possible cause is a potential liver disease. This disease can also stem from excessive consumption, and vomiting blood is a symptom that the condition has reached an advanced stage. People with the habit of consuming alcohol are quite prone to this liver disease.

Ulcer: An ulcer is a breakdown of tissues, that hinders the activities of that portion of the body to perform its functions. If the lining of the stomach stops working correctly or the lining breaks down, it results in an ulcer. Drinking too much alcohol results in the breakdown of the stomach lining and can make you vomit blood.

Gastritis: It has been found in various researches that gastritis can also be a potential reason for discharge of blood in vomit. Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

Excessive Drinking: Vomiting of blood usually occurs when someone has consumed excessive alcohol.The acids contained in these alcohols are corrosive in nature and can cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. The bleeding can occur either due to excessive coughing or throwing up.

Symptoms

If you find spots of blood in vomit or after coughing, you should take it seriously. Here are some symptoms associated with puking out blood:

• Heartburn
• Pain while passing stool
• Unusual bowel movements
• Intense stomach pain
• Terrible bouts of acidity
• Nausea and abdominal cramps

In this scenario, the individual can make a comparatively faster recovery by staying off alcohol abuse for a while and by consuming a clean liquid diet for the next few days. It is advisable to abstain from tea, coffee and aerated drinks. Chewing the food properly is also important.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Rush to a doctor and tell him all the details about the occurrence. Ignoring this can cause many severe complications in the future, and the risk of the condition should be enough to convince the person to take curative measures with immediate effect. Delaying the diagnosis and treatment is not recommended under any circumstances.

The first thing the doctor would do is, stop the bleeding and then try and ascertain the exact cause for it. The doctor would ask you some questions like;

• Have you ever vomited blood before?
• Are you under any other medical condition?
• Do you take other medicines?
• What was the color of the blood?
• How much blood did you puke?
• How often do you drink and smoke?

The doctor will then administer suitable medicines and proceed to treat the condition as he may see fit. If there are any medications that are causing this condition, he may immediately stop their dosage. At the same time, he will also administer a special diet that will suit the seriousness of the condition. You may also go through medical tests, such as blood or urine test, to ascertain the real cause of puking out blood.

To make a full recovery, one must follow all the instructions of the doctor and stay away from the booze at all costs. If this is a problem that is occurring repeatedly and regularly, maybe the individual needs more than just a doctor's diagnosis and treatment. Spreading awareness about the seriousness of this side effect of drinking should be a prime concern. Alcoholism is a very dangerous social evil and there is no escaping from its harmful effects. Vomiting blood after consuming alcohol is a clear sign from your body to control the amount of alcohol that is allowed to enter your system.