[XTrainer]

From http://www.jimmysmithtraining.com/Newsletter47.htm

"I know it goes against bodybuilding dogma but it might not be the best thing for us. There is research evidence that does suggest that by keeping amino acids consistently elevated like what happens when we eat protein very often, our body will become use to them."

Now before you jump all over me about this, remember, I'm just taking it at face value and want to find out where he's coming from. Pretty sure most of you know me well-enough to know I won't easily believe something so patently un-Berardi .

[Monger]

I'm just guessing at what the author is referring to but I think he may be basing his opinion on the theory of "Protein Cycling". This theory started floating around years ago. I had questions on this theory a while back so I remembered when Terumo wrote the kick ass post below.

Originally Posted by Terumo

There is truth to that. However, the language is a bit misleading. Yes, consuming a diet that is very high in protein (e.g. 1.5g per pound) does lead to a less effecient method of protein digestion, uptake, and assimilation. Have you head of the concept of "protein cycling?" It is based on this idea, hypothesizing that the body will be more apt to utilize protein if one interupts periods of high protein intake with periods of low protein intake. Thus, one could theoretically "trick" his body into maximum protein uptake efficiency, while staying on a diet, most of the time, that is rather high in protein. This idea didn't work in vivo. The problem was that periods of low protein intake, while maximizing efficiency for a short while, were highly detrimental to net nitrogen retention.

Anyhow, yeah, cutting back on protein will lead to a more efficient digestion and assimilation process; however, overall net nitrogen retention (not as a percentage of protein ingestion) still has a tendency to remain higher with diets that are richer in protein.

For example, suppose you ingest 100g of protein daily, and you assimilate 80% of those aminos into the free amino pool. That is very good retention efficiency. Meanwhile, suppose I ingest 200g of protein daily, and I only assimilate at 60%. While you are much more efficient, I am still assimilating the amino equivalent of 120g of protein versus your 80g. Yes, these are arbitrary examples, but the concept holds the same--efficiency (i.e. utilizing a proteins maximum benefit) does not inherently correlate with net uptake.

~Terumo

what happens if you eat to much protein

[MikeMartial]

Interesting, sounds like it's along the same line of thought as intermittent fasting.

[XTrainer]

Somehow I'm not suprised to find you two replying .

Anyway, I haven't actually dug around looking for the study yet, maybe I'll try later when I have some time.