I've been reading lately multiple studies showing how "high-protein" diets can be harmful, causing calcium to be excreted and leading to osteoporosis, bone loss and fractures. So my question is: what exactly is a "high-protein" diet?

Do they mean a diet that is over the current RDA for protein? (Currently 50g roughly).

Wow!!! Great studies, PaleoDude!! That's what I wanted to hear!!

I've been averaging at least 100g per day of protein lately, so I thought, is that BAD??? Is that considered "high-protein?"

That's very cool. Thanks PaleoDude!

Aha, thanks!!

As long as we keep our daily caloric intake from protein less than 40% of total calories (over the long term), we are fine.  Protein toxicity starts showing up at over 40%.  The North American frontiersmen found this out the hard way when they were forced, in the harsh Winters, to dine on the fat-depleted small animals in the wilderness.  It's called "rabbit starvation".   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_starvation

That's why it is postulated (and makes abundant sense, when you think about it)  that paleolithic people, especially the ones in colder, drier climates, went to the considerable trouble and danger of hunting big game- in the absence of adequate carbohydrates from vegetables and fruit, they could not survive any other way.  The fat percentage of large game carcasses is much higher than that of small animals, and the fat is enough to keep the calories from protein under 40%.  The same with the traditional Inuit- they have very little in the way of fruits and veggies on the tundra.  But the protein they consume comes with plenty of fats, so they have no problem.


--Doug