Excess protein consumption in western societies can lead to cardiovascular risks
Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signalling and cardiovascular risk - Nature Metabolism
Is there a mirror? nature.com has a cookies popup with only the “accept all” option.
Abstract
High protein intake is common in western societies and is often promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle; however, amino-acid-mediated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling in macrophages has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischaemic cardiovascular disease. In a series of clinical studies on male and female participants (NCT03946774 and NCT03994367) that involved graded amounts of protein ingestion together with detailed plasma amino acid analysis and human monocyte/macrophage experiments, we identify leucine as the key activator of mTOR signalling in macrophages. We describe a threshold effect of high protein intake and circulating leucine on monocytes/macrophages wherein only protein in excess of ∼25 g per meal induces mTOR activation and functional effects. By designing specific diets modified in protein and leucine content representative of the intake in the general population, we confirm this threshold effect in mouse models and find ingestion of protein in excess of ∼22% of dietary energy requirements drives atherosclerosis in male mice. These data demonstrate a mechanistic basis for the adverse impact of excessive dietary protein on cardiovascular risk.
Holy shit!
Thanks, that was perfect!
I'm used to seeing a small and hard to see Manage Preferences link in that banner that provides a button to reject optional cookies, but we might see different things based on region
Here's a pretty good breakdown by Alan Aragon:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3llo9pPaoc/
In short, don't freak out about this.
Something my brother is intimately familiar with. He was on Atkins until he had a mini stroke, and now he's got an irregular heartbeat and swollen toes.
Didn't learn his lesson about fad diets, though. Now he's on one that is supposed to fix the damage done by Atkins.
So I've been reading through this study and comparing it to modern health advice. For the most part, the 22% of energy threshold seems to be above 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kg of body weight (for active individuals).
The functional advice is: following the guidelines from the FDA will keep you out of the risks outlined in the study.
Good thing I’m not a mouse