are there long term effects from using whey protein?
375727
Protein contains nitrogen. When protein is broken down and digested, it creates ammonia from the nitrogen. Ammonia is toxic, so the body must get rid of it quickly. The kidneys convert the toxic ammonia into the less toxic urea, which then gets converted to urine.\n\nHigh protein just means the kidneys have to work harder. Many dieticians assume that working the kidneys harder could cause kidney disease. However, there have been no published studies which have shown high protein diets lead to kidney failure, even in competitive bodybuilders. You may want to also keep in mind that about 50% of protein ingested gets burned up as energy, so at some point with increased protein your $40 bottle of whey protein is doing nothing more than a couple of slices of bread.\n\nJohn
460748
Yes.  The protien and sugar (lactose) will help recovery.  As the other poster suggested, fat is an issue.  But choose lowfat or nonfat milk and that problem is reduced.\n\nThe article cited below suggests chocolate milk might be an even better choice!\n\nI like water best, myself.
127313
Yes, it's a very expensive product sold through network marketing (a pyramid).  A client of mine swears by it, however there's much similar products on the market which are much less $$$.  Plus, there is a lot of soy protein in the product line.  Unless you've been livining under a rock, soy protein mimicks the effects of estrogen - not good for men.  Check out the sources below: 'The Evils of Soy', "Bad Protein', "Soy is Still a Bad Protein'.
328095
i dont think that it will effect your sex life or your future. \n\nbut dont do it if your going to join the army.... i knew a guy who was at it all the time and caused low levels of protein (i think it was protein anyways - it was something important), so when he had his assesment at the army he wasnt allowed to join until he let his levels build up again lol
919660
not as far as i know. ive been on it a while, and havent noticed any problems. if anything, ive lost weight :)
641121
Right, energy is never created nor destroyed, just converted.  Protein is absorbed by the body and absorption increases after excercise (ie weight lifting) for use in muscle building.  But essentially most protein is either used for energy or for basal metabolism (because some amino acids are essential, come from the diet).  The excess goes right through your GI tract and is excreted.  However, high protein high fat diets are meant to be only temporary.  Long term health problems can develop, such as arterioslcerosis.  \n\nSorry to tell you, but the best way to lose weight is reduced caloric intake with a balanced diet (mostly carb, little fat), and increased calorie burning through exercise.  \nThe weight lost through this method tends to stay off, since this is a lifestyle change.  If you eat right and exercise, you will lose fat.
566149
There are other sources of protein. Just be sure you eat cheese and milk and beans. You'll probably live a long and healthy life.
694220
you should drink one glass of whey protein ( either low fat milk or less) or water everytime you work out, so either once after workout or even can take one at night as your muscles tear from working out and the protein rebuilds them. I take one after workout and a friend takes 2 ( one after and one at bedtime ) and we are both about the same.
867020
You are not going to see a huge difference from the most expensive to the cheapest protein powder.  Just go by which one you like best.  That being said, here are some concerns about a few types I like to avoid:\n\nPersonally, I don't like Muscle Milk.  It's loaded with fat (yeah, I know "lean lipids", whatever) and contains a chemical called glycocyamine, which is heavily linked to cardiovascular disease due to its tendency to raise homocysteine levels in the blood (among other things).  Even if that doesn't scare you (cardiovascular disease being the #1 killer in the U.S.)...there are plenty of other options for you.\n\nIon-exchanged whey isolates (like in Isopure) are also heralded as a "better" form of whey, but the process involves running a type of acidic solution through the protein...and again, there's better options.\n\nJust go for a good, micro-filtered whey protein isolate that won't break the bank (because you'll probably be drinking quite a bit of it).  Optimum Nutrition makes a good one, as does Iron-Tek and Biochem (all made by Country Life, I believe).
165934
It's important if you are lifting weights. Lifting 'damages' muscles, which leads to bigger growth, but the protein you eat after a workout helps to repair these muscles. People use protein bars, shakes, and powders because they are absorbed into the body faster than other methods.
753111
"Safe"?   It is mostly whey - a milk extract.  Is milk "safe"?  What would make a food product unsafe?  Being contaminated with something?  That would trigger a product recall.\n\nI would suspect that MET-Rx protein products are just as effective as any other protein product.  Your actual results will depend entirely on how much weight lifting you do and how hard you are pushing yourself.\n\nThe only drawback that I have found with MET-Rx is that it tends to stick to the side of my shaker cup more than other brands.  I tend to use AST-SS products more often, they mix easily in my shaker cup.
1163324
I have no idea.... but a guy at GNC said Whey protein was an agonist to estrogen a female hormone. That means they like each other and make one another stronger. Does this mean you will have more female characterisitics? I doubt it.... but if you find out anymore info email me.\nMike RN
221215
Optimum 100% Whey Protein is excellent.  It's about $30.00 and gives you 80 servings.  You can get it from bodybuilding.com or any health food store for that matter.
244663
I don't know too much about this particular product...but I do know that most diet supplements are bad news. The problems with their clinical studies is that they don't have any information about what happens down the road. There have not been any long-term studies. Just be very careful if you do decide to use them and make sure that you have a very good relationship with your physician because these types of products require you to have check-ups often. Your blood pressure, heart rate and neurological functions can be greatly affected by these products. Take caution.
501752
Please read below about some of the consequences of long-term laxative use before you decide to deal with your constipation this way.  These are things that can happen to anyone who uses laxatives long-term, not just people with eating disorders. Be careful.\n\n\nWhat are the Consequences? \n     Essentially, whether taken short term or long term, laxatives create and perpetuate the very problem they were intended to\ncorrect. \n     Laxatives induce constipation as the\ntissues become dried out, muscles become weak from lack of use, and the delicate nerves lining the colon become damaged. This damage slows intestinal motility and results in constipation. \n     With damage from long term laxative abuse, the colon may fail to function\nentirely. This is laxative dependency. \n     An individual who abuses laxatives may have diarrhea like stools in place of well formed stools.\n     Long term laxative abusers may\nexperience weight loss, hair loss, vomiting, abdominal pain, low energy, thirst, dry eyes, headaches, puffiness, mood swings, bone pain and suffer symptoms of dehydration. \n     With prolonged use of laxatives a\nnumber of serious problems may arise such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances, damage to other organs, and syndromes resembling colitis.
85913
I have to disagree with lots of what the last guy said but he is correct when he says stick to a healthy diet. Remember, suppliments (The Natural Ones) are just that to suppliment your already existing diet. Whey protien is good, also creatine naturally occurrs in your body and that suppliment will help your performance. L-Glutamine will help your muscles repair themselves. Other than those as long as your diet is balanced then a multivitamin can not hurt.
676926
Yeah, it's kinda risky. Just stick to whey protein.