Protein has secured a spot in the health and wellness field as a powerhouse for health and vitality.  Diets have been popularized and books have been written because of its benefits.  It is the prized nutrient of those looking to build muscle, whether they are fitness fanatics or emaciated by severe conditions.

But, when it comes to improving your biological terrain, too much protein could be adding to your chronic illness. 

Whether you are struggling with autoimmune disease or Lyme disease, chronic fatigue or chronic inflammation, leaky gut or leaky brain, protein metabolism and your terrain must be addressed.

 Through the lens of biological medicine, the two most important factors are the acid-alkaline balance and the level of interstitial protein (i.e. in between our cells or the biological terrain).

How much protein we get from our diet will heavily determine the balance of our pH and the condition of the protein in the biological terrain.

The Importance of Protein

The term “protein” was coined in the mid-nineteenth century from the Greek root “proto” or “proteios”, meaning “first” or “the first quality”.  Researchers at the time considered proteins to be the theoretical substance, essential for life.  Further research found this to be untrue, but the name stuck.

Proteins are a building block to our body.  They are a part of every hormonal action and drive every metabolic reaction that allows us to function.  The maintenance of our cells and the formation of new cells depend upon proteins.

Each cell, being different (i.e. colon cells, brain cells, etc.), requires a unique configuration of amino acids to allow the cell to perform its unique function.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.  For proper protein turnover and cellular health, our dietary focus should be on what delivers the highest quality amino acids our body can tolerate and process.

The Protein Problem

Many of us, especially in the Western world, are “overproteinized.”  Before World War II, Americans ate approximately 40 grams of protein per day.  Now we are eating upwards of 140+ grams per day!

Eating too much animal protein and not enough plant protein is to blame.  Considering that a 6oz chicken breast contains 45 grams of protein, we can see how our daily total can quickly escalate.

Protein in and of itself isn’t necessarily the issue.  Most foods contain some amount of protein.  Therefore, it is more the type and amount of amino acids making up the protein that have the most significant impact on the biological terrain.

Namely, this occurs through unbalancing our pH.  When our pH is out of balance, our body experiences a decrease in the ability to regulate itself. 

Metabolizing protein creates acid.  Our digestive tract breaks proteins down into amino acids, which are easier to absorb through the gut wall. 

These amino acids will go straight to our liver where it will assemble new proteins per our body’s needs.  Our liver also breaks down old proteins and assembles new ones.

Amino acids are just that, acids.  Therefore, increased breakdown of proteins creates more of an acid burden for our body.  Remember, our body needs a slightly alkaline environment for best performance.

Within optimal ranges, our body has intricate mechanisms to buffer acid so it does not damage tissues or impede regulation.  Any toxic byproduct from protein metabolism is then excreted via sweat, urine, stool, or breath.

However, when we are under persistent stress, inflammation, or infections, these mechanisms cannot keep up.  Add too much protein, from the diet, into the mix and now the conditions are right for serious problems.

Our body must then use other systems to overcompensate for increased protein intake. 

Too many acids in our gut negatively impact the flora of the small and large intestine.  Without the proper pH range, it becomes difficult to maintain the healthy number of microbes necessary for helping our immunity, detoxification, and digestion.

Now more acids are absorbed through the gut wall and into our liver.  This is especially the case when we are low in dietary fiber.  The higher demand on the liver makes it harder to eliminate other toxins and may increase levels of the neurotoxin, ammonia.

Kidneys, being our prime organ for pH balancing, must eliminate more acid through the urine.  This can irritate our bladder and urinary tract and lead to infections (bacterial and fungal) or cystitis.

Dehydration can also plague the kidneys, as it takes 3 cups of water to process every 50 grams of protein.  If not adequately replenished, this water loss may lead to kidney stones.

Protein and the Biological Terrain

The biological terrain takes the biggest hit from too much animal protein.  When our protein intake exceeds the limits of what can be fully processed, the excess becomes stored in the terrain.

Fluids begin to thicken.  Blood and lymph do not flow as well.

Negatively charged amino acids and small molecule proteins bond with the positively charged minerals of the terrain.  This creates inert complexes that clog the terrain, make crucial minerals like magnesium less accessible, and tissue less reactive to healing.

The log jammed terrain is also less conducive to relaying information between cells.  Homeopathic and herbal remedies have a diminished impact.

Toxins flood back into cells making it difficult for mitochondria to produce energy.

The damage to the biological terrain from too much protein has different consequences leading to different conditions, or complications of conditions.

For those taking on Lyme disease, this could mean further stress to neurological, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal issues.  Stubborn lymph drainage or ammonia problems also relate back to protein excess.

Those who find themselves with chronic fatigue, and immune deficient conditions, can find traction when addressing their protein gut. Even those suffering with degenerative conditions of joints, cardiovascular system, and nervous system can halt the destructive processes and initiate the restorative processes.

Could too much animal protein in your diet be holding you back?  Was protein excess one of the straws that broke the camel’s back for your health?

Maybe.

But thinking forward, addressing this problem could give your chronic condition the boost it needs for you to see progress.

Interested in finding out how to safely and effectively reduce your protein and repair the damage done?  Then check out this blog.