A new study from the University of Pittsburgh warns against overdoing it with proteins in your diet. The research, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, suggests that consuming more than 22% of your daily calories from protein could increase the risk of atherosclerosis – a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries, obstructing blood flow.
The study found that a high protein diet, common in rich countries like the United States, can lead to the activation of immune cells responsible for the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Specifically, the amino acid leucine was found to play a key role in driving the pathological pathways of the disease.
Experiments on healthy subjects showed that consuming very protein-rich meals led to an increase in immune cell activation. This, in turn, could lead to the accumulation of debris within vessel walls and the worsening of atherosclerotic plaques over time.
The recommended daily intake of protein is currently between 15% and 22% of your total calories. Study author Babak Razani warns, “Increasing your protein intake in the pursuit of better metabolic health is not a panacea. You may actually be harming your arteries.” The researchers hope that this study will spark a conversation about modifying diets in a way that can reduce the risk of disease at the molecular level.