- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that consuming high-protein diets, particularly when protein exceeds 22 per cent of daily calories, may lead to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
- The study, published in Nature Metabolism, indicates that excess protein, especially the amino acid leucine found in animal sources, triggers mTOR signalling in immune cells crucial for arterial plaque formation.
- Lead author Dr. Babak Razani identified 22 per cent of daily calories from protein as a risk threshold, though some experts, like cardiologist Dr. Stephen Tang, consider the study's scale too small for definitive conclusions.
- Despite reservations about the study's size, Dr. Tang noted that the findings support a growing inclination among heart specialists towards plant-forward diets for improved cardiovascular health.
- Current dietary guidelines suggest protein should make up 10 to 35 per cent of daily calories, with the American Heart Association endorsing plant-based proteins and advising limits on red and processed meats.
IN FULL
Steak and potatoes a staple? Eating too much meat in a day can have massive heart implications
