Protein is very important for our body. It helps in the formation of bones, skin, muscles and other organs. In a way, it is necessary for our life, but as much as our body needs. For the last few times, the demand for protein supplements in India has increased considerably, especially youth and teenagers who want to go to the gym and make muscles, they are also getting attracted towards it.
Doctors’ opinion on protein supplements
Protein supplements are a very effective and easy way to increase protein in the body. Its intake is increasing among athletes, gym going to gym and people trying to reduce weight. But health experts say that it is not good for the body to take too much protein for muscle manufacture and through indiscriminate propagation on social media. People who are active should not take more than 1.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight every day.
Does more protein damage the kidney?
Pediatrician Dr. Shivranjani Santosh expressed concern about the consumption of more protein among the youth on social media. Dr. Santosh told Threads that many youth are having a creatin problem. Their creatin is reaching 1.41 or 1.5 mg per deciliter. Their kidney is deteriorating. They are eating too much protein. Excessively, and also protein powder. From the age of 1-3, it is advisable to take 1.05 grams to 0.85 grams of protein according to body weight, ie 20 percent calories from protein. Children should eat 2-2.5 grams more protein per day.
What is creatinine?
Creatinine is an waste product produced by muscle metabolism. Let us tell you that the level of 1.41 or 1.5 mg per deciliter creatinine is considered to be higher than normal, which is a sign of increasing pressure on the kidney. This suggests that your kidney is not working properly. According to Dr. Vishwanath Billa, Senior Consultant Nephrinth of Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Mumbai, the increased level of creatinine can be a worrying sign for the kidney, especially in those youth who consume more proteins.
If creatinine increases more than this, it can cause harm
Dr. Billa said that the serum creatinine level of 1.2 Mg/DL is also considered above the normal limit. This means that such a person should now get his kidney regular check -up. Lack of adequate amount of water increases this problem even further. Apart from changes in food, the youth should be made aware of the necessary water and regular kidney testing. Especially if they take more protein diet or do more physical activity. Balance nutrition and understanding the needs of the body can prevent kidney problems for a long time.
How much protein should be taken
Dr. Prasad said that everyone should take protein according to their needs. For those who are physically active, daily intake of protein should not be more than 1.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. You can get this from pulses, eggs, dairy products, lean meats and dry fruits. During this, Dr. Prasad said that children or adolescents should not use protein powder. This should be done only when the body is lacking in it and your doctor advises you.
How to increase protein naturally
If you want to increase the amount of protein in the body, then consume natural protein sources as much as possible. For this, you can include eggs, fish, meat, milk, yogurt, cheese like dairy products, pulses, chickpeas, Rajma like legumes, almonds, walnuts, pistachios and nutmeg seeds and fruits like sunflower, pumpkin and watermelon seeds, all these are good sources of protein. You can also increase the amount of protein through some vegetables. For this, you can include foods like spinach, broccoli and mushrooms in your diet. They are also rich in many vitamins and antioxidants.