{"id":354932,"date":"2026-03-19T20:33:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/354932\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T20:33:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:33:07","slug":"the-rise-and-potential-risks-of-protein-maxing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/354932\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rise \u2013 and Potential Risks \u2013 of \u2018Protein Maxing\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cJust when you thought the F&B industry\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0handle any more protein, Expo West comes out with what is essentially\u00a0\u2018ProteinWest\u2019\u00a0at this\u00a0year\u2019s\u00a0show,\u201d wrote\u00a0FI\u00a0CEO Brian Choi\u00a0in\u00a0a LinkedIn\u00a0post<\/a>\u00a0after attending\u00a0Natural Products Expo West<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Choi highlighted\u00a0numerous\u00a0protein-enhanced products spotted on the show floor, including chips, bread, pretzels, popcorn, gummies, water, coffee, granola, noodles, waffles, and pancakes \u2013 just to name a few.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

By no means\u00a0is Choi\u00a0the only one\u00a0who\u2019s\u00a0noticed this trend, which has been dubbed \u2018protein maxing\u2019 (sometimes spelled \u2018maxxing\u2019),\u00a0as\u00a0The Atlantic\u00a0published\u00a0a\u00a0story<\/a>\u00a0in January arguing that America has entered its \u201clate-stage protein\u201d era.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

And last summer, I wrote an\u00a0article<\/a>\u00a0about\u00a0protein being an essential but often overhyped macronutrient after coming across research suggesting that most people who live in developed countries are already consuming\u00a0enough\u00a0protein.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The World Health Organization\u00a0advises\u00a0that healthy adults should consume about 0.4 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day. To put this in perspective, a person weighing 165 pounds should aim to take in around 60 grams per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It makes sense that many folks are trying to\u00a0ramp up their\u00a0protein\u00a0intake\u00a0when you consider\u00a0the influx of protein-packed products\u00a0that have hit\u00a0the market.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

And then there are\u00a0the droves of wellness influencers\u00a0who urge their followers to consume as much protein as humanly possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, a\u00a0surge in GLP-1 prescriptions has also\u00a0played a role, as individuals taking these medications tend to seek out F&B offerings that are rich in protein and\u00a0fiber<\/a>\u00a0but low in sugar to support their unique nutritional needs and goals, as well as to\u00a0prevent the muscle loss<\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0often stem from\u00a0a substantial reduction\u00a0in\u00a0caloric intake.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to these factors,\u00a0many\u00a0consumers\u00a0are prioritizing\u00a0protein\u00a0in their diets\u00a0due to the myriad bodily functions the macronutrient supports.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cProtein is crucial in the rebuilding of muscles, the immune system, and the general maintenance of cells,\u201d said\u00a0Kristy Thomas, a registered nutritionist at\u00a0Prowise\u00a0Healthcare.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0clear that America\u2019s love affair with protein\u00a0remains\u00a0in full force, some experts\u00a0worry\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0gone too far\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and that\u00a0protein maxing\u00a0could be\u00a0not only counterproductive but also\u00a0risky.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Too Much of a Good Thing?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been some concern within the circles of nutritionists\u00a0as a result of\u00a0the recent popularity of high-protein diets. On one hand, sufficient intake of protein is healthy, but on the other hand, a constant overdose can also result in some health hazards,\u201d Thomas told\u00a0FI.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The dietitian\u00a0noted\u00a0that\u00a0some groups \u2013 including\u00a0athletes,\u00a0very active\u00a0people,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0elderly\u00a0\u2013 may\u00a0benefit\u00a0from consuming more than the recommended daily amount (RDA) of protein; however,\u00a0an overemphasis can\u00a0lead to\u00a0dietary deficiencies in other food groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen individuals make protein their number-one priority, usually by consuming large quantities of meat\u00a0or\u00a0by using protein shakes or protein bars, they might lower the amount of other significant nutrients they are taking\u00a0in,\u201d\u00a0Thomas\u00a0said, adding that this\u00a0often\u00a0lessens consumption of\u00a0fiber-rich foods\u00a0like\u00a0fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, which\u00a0are\u00a0\u201cvital for both digestive wellbeing and preventing long-term diseases.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also highlighted the importance of the source\u00a0in question, as not all protein is created equal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh-protein diets\u00a0based\u00a0on red meat or processed meat have been linked to increased risks of heart\u00a0diseases\u00a0and some types of cancer. Conversely,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0a general positive correlation between plant-based sources of protein and improved health outcomes in the long\u00a0term,\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Thomas\u00a0told\u00a0FI.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The expert\u00a0also\u00a0brought up\u00a0the possibility of protein overconsumption causing kidney stress\u00a0\u2013 a topic that has sparked\u00a0many\u00a0debates within the health and\u00a0wellness\u00a0space.\u00a0Let\u2019s take a look at some of the latest research.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Can\u00a0Protein-Maxing Cause Kidney Problems?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thomas\u00a0mentioned that\u00a0protein can potentially cause\u00a0kidney\u00a0stress \u2013\u00a0especially for\u00a0individuals with\u00a0pre-existing\u00a0kidney\u00a0problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen protein consumption is very high,\u00a0this might overwork the metabolic functions of the body,\u201d\u00a0Thomas told\u00a0FI,\u00a0adding that this could\u00a0cause\u00a0kidney stones\u00a0to develop\u00a0in some cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Allie\u00a0Petersen, a plant-based chef, recipe creator, health coach, and Certified Physician Associate (PA-C) who runs a food blog called\u00a0Naturallie\u00a0Plant-Based, echoed these\u00a0concerns\u00a0and pointed to studies that\u00a0have correlated excessive protein intake with kidney function risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis\u00a0could take several years to cause injury, but studies have shown an association between high-protein diets and accelerated decline in kidney function,\u201d Petersen told\u00a0FI, agreeing\u00a0with Thomas that these risks multiply for those already\u00a0grappling with\u00a0chronic kidney disease.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The expert recommended that\u00a0individuals in this demographic \u201cconsume closer to 0.8g\/kg body weight per day\u201d and\u00a0\u201csometimes less, depending on the stage and\u00a0their\u00a0doctor\u2019s\u00a0orders.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe American Heart Association notes that most Americans already consume more protein than needed, and this could impose a burden on the kidneys and liver over time,\u201d\u00a0Petersen\u00a0said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

She\u00a0added\u00a0that\u00a0excessive\u00a0consumption\u00a0of\u00a0red meat is\u00a0also\u00a0correlated with increased risk of\u00a0chronic\u00a0kidney\u00a0disease\u00a0\u2013 and processed meats\u00a0like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs, which\u00a0have\u00a0also\u00a0been shown to\u00a0substantially increase\u00a0colorectal cancer\u00a0risk<\/a>, may\u00a0pose\u00a0an even\u00a0greater risk to kidney\u00a0health.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, others like\u00a0Cheryl McColgan, founder of Heal Nourish Grow LLC, a site that publishes wellness, nutrition, and health content,\u00a0have pushed back against the claim that protein overconsumption can\u00a0cause kidney stress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPlenty of studies show no ill effects from a high protein diet and the myth of it causing kidney problems has been long debunked,\u201d\u00a0McColgan\u00a0told\u00a0FI,\u00a0but\u00a0she agreed with Thomas and Petersen that\u00a0anyone\u00a0with\u00a0an\u00a0existing kidney issue should consult their\u00a0doctor\u00a0before increasing\u00a0their\u00a0protein\u00a0intake.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While\u00a0McColgan\u00a0acknowledged her bias\u00a0right out of the gate, as\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0\u201cpersonally and professionally very focused on optimal protein,\u201d she argued\u00a0that the \u201crisk\u00a0of frailty and sarcopenia from inadequate protein intake is far greater, especially for those over 45.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

I did some digging and found a\u00a02024 meta-analysis<\/a>\u00a0exploring\u00a0a\u00a0potential\u00a0correlation\u00a0between\u00a0protein intake and the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which\u00a0showed\u00a0that\u00a0a lower CKD risk\u00a0was\u00a0associated\u00a0with a\u00a0higher\u00a0intake\u00a0of\u00a0plant or animal protein.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, a\u00a02025 Mayo Clinic article<\/a>\u00a0included this excerpt: \u201cA high-protein diet may worsen how well a kidney works in people with kidney disease. This can happen because the body may not be able to get rid of all the waste products of protein\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0broken down.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

It appears that more research is needed on the effects of excessive protein consumption, but\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0clear that following a balanced,\u00a0diverse diet that\u2019s rich in whole foods is important\u00a0for optimal health\u00a0\u2013 and as always, it\u2019s\u00a0best to talk with your doctor\u00a0before making any dramatic\u00a0dietary\u00a0changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Food Institute Podcast<\/p>\n

This Episode is Sponsored by: CBIZ<\/p>\n

While many food industry professionals were hoping that the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs would elucidate the current global trade environment, it appears that it may have added more uncertainty than before. CBIZ\u2019s Lou Biscotti and Mark Baran, and former Customs expert Michael Contino, all join The Food Institute Podcast to provide clarity and actionable insights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cJust when you thought the F&B industry\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0handle any more protein, Expo West comes out with what is essentially\u00a0\u2018ProteinWest\u2019\u00a0at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":354933,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[161221,161222,103,161223,161224,61,60,161225,446,161226,2682,161227,161228,161229,161230,161231,161232,161233,161234,161235,161236,161237,161238,161239,161240],"class_list":["post-354932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nutrition","tag-balanced-diet-protein-nutrition","tag-glp-1-drugs-protein-consumption","tag-health","tag-high-protein-diet-kidney-risk","tag-high-protein-diet-risks","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-natural-products-expo-west-protein-trend","tag-nutrition","tag-plant-based-protein-vs-red-meat","tag-protein","tag-protein-and-chronic-kidney-disease","tag-protein-consumption-trends","tag-protein-food-innovation","tag-protein-food-trend-2026","tag-protein-fortified-packaged-foods","tag-protein-in-snacks-trend","tag-protein-intake-per-pound-body-weight","tag-protein-intake-recommendations","tag-protein-maxing-nutrition","tag-protein-maxing-trend","tag-protein-overconsumption-health-effects","tag-protein-snacks-and-beverages","tag-protein-fortified-foods","tag-recommended-daily-protein-intake"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=354932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354932\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/354933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=354932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=354932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=354932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}