Does too much protein turn into BF even if calories are low??

**kate4646** · 06-08-2004, 10:46 AM

Hi all:
I have read on some nutrition and weightlifting websites that whenever you take in more protein than your body can use, the protein turns into bodyfat. WHen I first read this I thought it was ridiculous and then of course I started worrying. I'm currently following a BFL/Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle program (with input from all you experts) that dietarily consists of 1400 calories a day, with about 171 grams protein, (52%) 104 grams of carbohydrate (26%), and 32 fat (22%). I'm 5'9", 150 pounds, 20% BF, and do the BFL lifting plus 5-6 miles a day of running. I always thought that the protein would help w/ the muscle building or at least inhibit muscle catabolism while I shed fat, and that if the body didn't use all the protein, it'd use the excess as fuel, and since I'm taking in my calories at around my BMR, there'd be no way I'd do anything but lose lbs. on my plan. But these sites that I was reading seemed to indicate that even if I was taking in 683 calories of pure protein (@171 grams), I would gain BF because the body wouldn't be able to utilize all the protein. Any sage advice? Thanks guys and gals!

**kate4646** · 06-08-2004, 11:20 AM

A couple of weeks ago, when I posted my diet, I was told to increase my calories (which I have, from 1100 to 1450 or so.) But, I looked at one of the journals of one of my advice givers, NcGirl (who by the way looks fantastic and this is in no way meant to be criticizing, I'm just trying to find the answers), and she posted her meal plan, and it seemed a lot lower than the 1600 calories she said she took in to reduce bodyfat (we have similar stats.) So, I put her monday menu into fitday, and, even being generous, came out to about 1100 calories. So, was I correct originally?

Her monday menu was:
MONDAYS: AM Cardio- Kickboxing
Meal 1: 1 cup egg whites w/ mushrooms and veggies, 1 whole egg, 2 cups water
Meal 2: ½ cup low fat cottage cheese, ½ cup fiber one cereal, sugar free syrup, cinnamon, coffee, 4 cups water
WORKOUT: Back/ Biceps, 2 cups water (lunch- Y)
Meal 3: Lettuce/ Cabbage, 4-5 oz. chicken, 1/8 cup fat free mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, carrots, small apple, 4 cups water
Meal 4: Protein Shake, Strawberries, 2 cups water
Meal 5: 4 oz. Talipia, 1 can green beans, 1 can asparagus, ½ cup green peas, 2 cups water
Snack: 1 box SF Jell-o OR 1 SF fudge bar, 1 cup water

**Jodi** · 06-08-2004, 11:28 AM

It's gluconeogenesis. This is when your body breakdowns proteins to create into glucose for energy. Now if you eat too much protein, as I've read in Lyle's books, your body uses that extra protein to breakdown into glucose to use as energy. Glucose causes an insulin spike and as with any insulin spike if your body doesn't use it all it gets stored as fat.

For me, I try to stay 1.25G per pound of BW and I rarely go above that. I've found that number works for me. Some need more and possibly some need less.

Now, at 150lbs you should be eating more than even 1400 cals per day. That's not even 10 cals per lb which is considered the bare minimum.

**LAM** · 06-08-2004, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Jodi

It's gluconeogenesis. This is when your body breakdowns proteins to create into glucose for energy. Now if you eat too much protein, as I've read in Lyle's books, your body uses that extra protein to breakdown into glucose to use as energy. Glucose causes an insulin spike and as with any insulin spike if your body doesn't use it all it gets stored as fat.

that is true but you have to remember that it takes more energy for the body to turn excess proteins into lipids than it does to excrete them. gluconeogenesis does not occur on a large enough scale to truely effect body fat.

you also have to take into account that all of those excess proteins/amino acids must be processed by the liver to be converted to glucose. the liver will never release enough glucose to cause an insulin spike...

**ncgirl21** · 06-08-2004, 01:23 PM

Hey Kate

. That menu is 1613 calories, 35 grams of fat (21%), 174 grams of carbs (29%) and 181 grams of Protein (49%). I use fitday.com, you made a mistake when you were entering the amounts or something. And that number was without the SF Jello or fudge pop and any fish oil (if I took it that day).

**kate4646** · 06-08-2004, 02:12 PM

NCGirl - Thanks so much for the correction!!!!!! I admire your physique and since we're similar heights and were at similar starting points, I just wanted to make sure that I'm going in the right direction (i.e. where you are now!).

Jodi and LAM - thanks for the protein info. It's OK w/ me if my body converts some of my protein into energy: my concern was that too many protein grams per day, REGARDLESS of caloric intake, would turn to fat automatically.

And, for that matter, do you think my current protein intake is excessive?

Thanks again.

**Jodi** · 06-08-2004, 02:20 PM

I think your protein grams are spot on

**ncgirl21** · 06-08-2004, 02:28 PM

Hun- I admire your running!! Phew, 5 miles a day- I'd DIE!!!

I've bet you got awesome legs

. How much weight are you trying to loose because at 150 lbs. and 5'9 your probably smoking hot already

.
From what I've read, regardless of how much protein you take in- as long the amount of calories you consume a day isn't MORE than the amount you burn a day there's no way possible your body can store anything as fat.

I think your doing fine though- have you thought about starting a journal? I just started a new one.

**Mudge** · 06-08-2004, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

that is true but you have to remember that it takes more energy for the body to turn excess proteins into lipids than it does to excrete them. gluconeogenesis does not occur on a large enough scale to truely effect body fat.

Yep, one of the 'freedoms' of a high protein diet as opposed to high calories elsewhere.

**kate4646** · 06-08-2004, 03:09 PM

Jodi - WHEW! Thanks for the thumbs up on the protein intake.

Jodi and Mudge and NCgirl - thanks for all the great info, it sets my mind at ease.

NCGirl - Thanks for the compliment!! The legs are definitely the best part of the body, but they (like everywhere else) need a bit of work. I'm at 20ish% BF, but like the way I look a lot better (size-wise and musculature-wise) when I'm at 17% and 135-140. It's SO hard to lose that last chunk of fat!

**Premo55** · 06-08-2004, 07:58 PM

I don't exactly think running 5 miles a day is the smartest thing you could do

Peace.

**Vieope** · 06-08-2004, 08:21 PM

No
Only if you eat your 1400 cals all at once.

Thread: Does too much protein turn into BF even if calories are low??

Thread Tools

Display

Does too much protein turn into BF even if calories are low??

And another question about calories

Similar Threads

Calories vs protein

calories vs protein during cut

Help with calories and protein

When does protein turn to fat ?

Protein/Calories?

Posting Permissions