Protein Intake and Digestion

[juanderlei]

OK... I've heard many conflicting numbers in regards to this topic, so I might as well ask the most educated people I know regarding the topic...

How much protein can the human body digest and use per meal or serving? For example, a typical protein shake for me might contain anywhere between 65 and 85 grams of protein, depending on whether I mix it with milk or water, add peanut butter, etc., but I am just wasting a good amount of what I'm consuming?

One pretty educated source I spoke with told me that the human body can only digest 30 - 35 grams of protein per serving and anything above and beyond this is a waste. Is this person not an educated as the letters attached to their name lead me to believe they are?

Any truth to this?

I'm guessing that in some way this number would be based on the size/stats of each individual person, right?

I'm 6' and approx 205lbs right now at 8% BF.

Let's hear from EF on this!

 

[YeaRightBuddy]

OK... I've heard many conflicting numbers in regards to this topic, so I might as well ask the most educated people I know regarding the topic...

How much protein can the human body digest and use per meal or serving? For example, a typical protein shake for me might contain anywhere between 65 and 85 grams of protein, depending on whether I mix it with milk or water, add peanut butter, etc., but I am just wasting a good amount of what I'm consuming?

One pretty educated source I spoke with told me that the human body can only digest 30 - 35 grams of protein per serving and anything above and beyond this is a waste. Is this person not an educated as the letters attached to their name lead me to believe they are?

Any truth to this?

I'm guessing that in some way this number would be based on the size/stats of each individual person, right?

I'm 6' and approx 205lbs right now at 8% BF.

Let's hear from EF on this!

Hes not educated at all.... i dont think u understand where digestion takes place and how long food stays there....research more.

 

[juanderlei]

Hes not educated at all.... i dont think u understand where digestion takes place and how long food stays there....research more.

Soooo... What are your thoughts on how much protein can be digested in one serving???

 

[thebigoz]

There is no set amount.

There are a lot of variables. Body size, activity level, metabolic rate, types of proteins being ingested. Keep in mind that different proteins contain different rates of absorption. The highest quality proteins average about a 95% absorption rate, whereas others average around 80-85%.

You can most definitely ingest and absorb amounts upwards of approx. 60g of protein from one meal. The time that this takes to absorb is dependent on similar variables to what I listed above.

On a side note, remember that in a caloric SUPPLUS, this protein can be turned to fat.

I'm a firm believer of smaller amounts of protein, spread out across the day. This is why I believe products like GEAR to be hitting the correct mark.

 

[stevesmi]

depends on the person.. depends on your genetics, depends on what specifically you are eating... way too many factors in play.

what your friend is talking about is protein waste going through the liver. the liver can only handle so much. whether its 30 or 50 or 80 no one knows for sure. everyone is different.

in terms of bodybuilding just aim for lots of clean carbs, cals, and protein. don't worry so much about this. if you eat 6-8 times per day which you should, your protein is gonna be spread out anyway so its not an issue

 

[juanderlei]

depends on the person.. depends on your genetics, depends on what specifically you are eating... way too many factors in play.

what your friend is talking about is protein waste going through the liver. the liver can only handle so much. whether its 30 or 50 or 80 no one knows for sure. everyone is different.

in terms of bodybuilding just aim for lots of clean carbs, cals, and protein. don't worry so much about this. if you eat 6-8 times per day which you should, your protein is gonna be spread out anyway so its not an issue

Awesome advice Steve... Thanks!

 

[juanderlei]

There is no set amount.

There are a lot of variables. Body size, activity level, metabolic rate, types of proteins being ingested. Keep in mind that different proteins contain different rates of absorption. The highest quality proteins average about a 95% absorption rate, whereas others average around 80-85%.

You can most definitely ingest and absorb amounts upwards of approx. 60g of protein from one meal. The time that this takes to absorb is dependent on similar variables to what I listed above.

On a side note, remember that in a caloric SUPPLUS, this protein can be turned to fat.

I'm a firm believer of smaller amounts of protein, spread out across the day. This is why I believe products like GEAR to be hitting the correct mark.

Thanks for the advice bro...

 

[YeaRightBuddy]

depends on the person.. depends on your genetics, depends on what specifically you are eating... way too many factors in play.

what your friend is talking about is protein waste going through the liver. the liver can only handle so much. whether its 30 or 50 or 80 no one knows for sure. everyone is different.

in terms of bodybuilding just aim for lots of clean carbs, cals, and protein. don't worry so much about this. if you eat 6-8 times per day which you should, your protein is gonna be spread out anyway so its not an issue

this. but i dont think any of yall realize that the liver doesnt handle 30g at the same time then stop, digestion is spread out, if it werent then wed all be eating every minute of the day.

So no, unless ur eating 100g protein per meal 3 times a day then i doubt ur liver will not be able to handle it.

As for the guy up there who said protein turns into fat, LOLOLOLOLOL

 

[thebigoz]

this. but i dont think any of yall realize that the liver doesnt handle 30g at the same time then stop, digestion is spread out, if it werent then wed all be eating every minute of the day.

So no, unless ur eating 100g protein per meal 3 times a day then i doubt ur liver will not be able to handle it.

As for the guy up there who said protein turns into fat, LOLOLOLOLOL

Excess calories turn into fat. Protein = calories.

Disagree? Prove to me otherwise. You're either saying that ALL protein gets absorbed or the portion that doesn't get absorbed goes to Happy Protein Land where it lives forever.

I'm happy to listen to where these magical calories go, if not to fat stores.


You may want to read up on gluconeogenesis first though. Excess protein > converted to glucose > what isn't used as energy is stored by the body.

 

[YeaRightBuddy]

I cannot be nice, so my post is being edited and I'm getting an infraction.