High Energy Intake due to Protein

Foods with high fat content usually also have increased amounts of protein, which is especially found in animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy products. A healthy adult human needs no more than 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, but unbalanced diets cause people to consume significantly higher amounts of protein. Since protein, unlike fat, cannot be stored in the body, excess protein is excreted. With increased excretion, valuable minerals are also lost. Furthermore, proteins contain nitrogen, from which toxic nitrogen waste is produced when proteins (egg whites) are broken down into amino acids. Increased protein intake causes these toxic breakdown products to accumulate in our body and must be broken down by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. The liver as well as the kidneys are thus put under great strain. In order to flush out the toxic waste, additional water is needed, which means that the body is deprived of a lot of fluid. If the nitrogen waste is excreted in the urine, there is a considerable loss of minerals such as potassium, chloride, sodium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Calcium deficiency can be accompanied by increased irritability, nervousness and nervous excitability, and magnesium deficiency by dizziness, lack of concentration and depression [2.2]. Bone health is particularly at risk in women, who are at high risk for osteoporosis. The enormous burden of excess protein on the kidney can lead to dysfunction over time and cause vitamin D3 deficiency in the body, as the kidney is the site for vitamin D3 synthesis. Diseases such as osteoporosis, allergies, and immune disorders can result from an unbalanced, high-protein diet.

Consumption of high amounts of energy by protein – vital substance deficiency (micronutrients).