Protein supplements and high protein diets are now been touted as an answer to bulging biceps and armored chest. Not surprisingly, Protein Supplements business is booming as people look for shortcuts to achieve an ideal physique.

Ideally, athletes should get 10-20 % of their daily calories from protein. The recommended daily allowance for protein is 0.8g per kg of body weight but it could be 1-1.5g/kg for athletes who are engaged in intense strength and weight training. Researchers advise athletes consume 4 gm of protein for every 10 gm of carbohydrates. About 10-20 gm of high-quality protein along with carbohydrates is recommended.

As it turns out, weight training and not consuming loads of protein, is needed for building muscles and strength. A proper schedule and diet plan is what your body needs. During weight training, the body may require extra calories which are best derived from carbs. Just 500 kcal/day results in 500 g increase in lean body weight per week during resistance training. Consuming extra protein will be synthesized and stored in body as fat. Protein also makes kidney work harder and can lead to long term metabolic problems.

Excess protein act as diuretic as the body strives hard to excrete excess nitrogen through urine. This results in loss of minerals from the body and dehydration. High proteins foods such as red meat are high in cholesterol and may results in long term heart problems. Other related problems are osteoporosis and obesity.

People predisposed to kidney problems and diabetes stand at higher risk of kidney failure and host of problems. Protein rich diet result in uric acid accumulation in joints which can results in Gout. Gout is a painful inflammation of joints.

Many high proteins diets advocate dramatic reduction of carbohydrates in our diet. Such diets can result in fatigue and may harm our bodybuilding efforts.

Many Protein Supplements are not balanced like natural sources of proteins such as eggs and milk. Long term use of protein supplements can lead to deficiency of vitamins and minerals such as zinc so vital to a health body. A better alternative is to eat a balanced diet with adequate quantity of protein rich food items such as milk, poultry and pulses. Not only they are balanced but are quite safe to take in longer run. They are part of our diets already and won't adversely affect our health if taken in right amount.