Question:
Isn't too much protein bad for the liver???

My dietician told my nutrition class and support group about the damaging effects of the Atkins diet. Many people who were on the diet have been admitted to the hospital with liver failure, due to the high protein diet. Wouldn't the same happen if we were to take protein supplements and eat protein at the same time?? I am not trying to be rude, but everyone keeps pushing protein supplements. After the first month or so, we should be getting the protein needed from the foods that we eat. My dietician says that we do not need any additional protein for the first month or so because of the stores we have in our body. So why the protein push???    — [Anonymous] (posted on April 18, 2001)

April 18, 2001
Yes, it was true that when body builders were trying to get 300-400g of protein via meats, yep, many years later they did have problems. BUT that problem was solved with the advent of the predigested proteins, which is what we use, also. They're not as hard on the liver. Also, with food, you have to eat quite a bit of it to net the 60g. With the supplements, you don't have to take much over the 60g in order to NET 60g. If you have a typical proximal, you can take the 60g of supplement and then any food you get over that will only help hold you at a steady 60g net daily. But it takes the push out of overstuffing the pouch "trying" to get the protein you cannot digest without that lower stomach, nor absorb without the jejunum. I don't agree with not needing it immediately. The body thinks it has been in a terrible accident, doesn't know you gave permission. Every nutritional resource in the body heads directly to the "crash zone" to try to rectify the damage. If you are not throughly covered, the protein (and other elements) will be extracted from other areas in the body to go to the crisis area. The same thinking that says we must have 64 oz of water to keep everythign functional AND allow the weight loss, is what says we must have an abundance of the other elements on board, as well.
   — vitalady

April 19, 2001
I have your same concerns. Back in the 1970s, there was a popular liquid protein diet which was predigested protein. Some people lost weight by drinking this and only this every day. My aunt and her best friends (who had been lifetime members of TOPS) did this. My aunt's friend died. The death certificate said that her organs had shut down, secondary to the liquid protein diet she was on. This upset and scared my aunt very much and she almost didn't get over it! She had lost so much weight herself and her hair had fallen out a lot and she looked terrible (as did her friend) but they both were pleased with the weight loss. I just found out that a lady who recently died in my town had had the WLS and had had a liver transplant. Now, I'm wondering if the liver transplant was due to her previous WLS?! My surgeon says we should not use protein drinks until we have a major problem eating. He thinks, like you said, that we need to learn to get our protein from foods (and eat a more healthy, balanced diet). And, I agree with Barb, we need about 60 grams of protein a day. I've never had a problem getting that much in, but then again, I've never vomited or had a problem eating. I'm a year post op. I also recommend getting your blood tests done fairly regularly and keeping an eye on the liver enzymes. We all have different opinions, based on whatever, and we need to do our own research and make the best decisions we can for ourselves. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

April 19, 2001
My bariatric surgeon says exactly the same thing as your dietician, that during weight loss you will lose fat and lean body mass regardless of the amount of protein intake. A minimum of 40 gm's per day for women and 50gm's per day for men is required and this will be achieved after several months post op when your protein will come from the foods you are eating everyday. My surgeon does not require or prescribe protein drinks early post-op , and does not participate in the "protein push" theory, and I am so happy about that.
   — Jeanne R.