A new study published in Circulation: Heart Failure concluded middle-aged men who ate higher amounts of protein had a slightly higher risk of heart failure than those who ate less protein. This association was found by following over 2,400 men ages 42 to 60 for an average of 22 years. Protein from fish and eggs was not associated with heart failure in this study.
High-protein diets have been growing in popularity, especially with individuals looking to build muscle or reduce carbohydrate intake. “In the US we get more than enough protein,” says Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, director of Tufts’ HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory and executive editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter. “Yet people seem to be trying to add even more protein to their diets, and there are more and more protein supplements and protein-fortified foods to tempt them.”
While the association between high protein intake and heart failure found in this study is small, and the authors recommend more study to better understand the role of different proteins in heart failure, this study is a reminder that dietary intake in excess of recommendations can have unintended consequences.