Protein and Fat Excess

 

The Cult of Protein and Fat Excess: The Illusion of Strength, the Biochemistry of Overload

The aggressive promotion of high-protein and high-fat diets (keto, carnivore, paleo) forces the human body to work beyond its capacity, offering a short-term illusion of vitality at the expense of long-term well-being.

Modern nutritional trends promote macronutrient ratios where fats and proteins can make up as much as 70–80% of daily caloric intake, pushing carbohydrates to the absolute fringes (below 10–20%). From the perspective of human evolutionary biology, this is a complete reversal of the natural order. Glucose derived from whole, plant-based complex carbohydrates and fruits constitutes the primary, cleanest fuel for every human cell, the brain, and the nervous system.

1. The Biochemistry of Overload: Nitrogen, Hepatic Metabolism, and Filtration Strain

When the body is flooded with an excess of protein (especially of animal origin), it triggers a complex and energy-intensive process called deamination. This involves removing amino groups from amino acids to convert them into carbon skeletons that can be used as an alternative fuel. A byproduct of this process is ammonia—a potent cellular toxin. The liver must immediately convert it into urea, which drastically overburdens the filtration apparatus of the kidneys. A constant excess of nitrogenous metabolites in the blood forces the excretory system to work continuously at maximum capacity, which, over a span of years, leads to a gradual decline in kidney efficiency.

At the same time, a high intake of saturated fats dramatically alters blood rheology (fluidity). Heavy fat particles (chylomicrons) circulating after a heavy meal make the blood temporarily thicker and more viscous. This impairs microcirculation in the thinnest capillaries, limiting optimal cellular oxygenation of tissues.

2. Long-Term Impact on Metabolism and Systemic Balance

In the long run, a diet dominated by fat and protein lays the foundation for most modern metabolic disorders:

• Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes: A common myth suggests that diabetes is caused solely by carbohydrates. Biochemistry, however, reveals the mechanism of lipotoxicity: an excess of intramyocellular lipids (fat inside the muscle cells) blocks insulin signalling pathways in muscle cells and the liver. Insulin cannot effectively "open the door" for glucose, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

• Microbiome Destruction and Endotoxemia: Depriving the body of fibre (carbohydrates) starves beneficial gut bacteria. In their place, putrefactive bacteria proliferate. An excess of saturated fats damages the intestinal barrier, making it leaky. Toxic fragments of bacterial cell walls (LPS—lipopolysaccharides) then penetrate the bloodstream, triggering chronic, systemic inflammation, which is the root cause of heart disease and atherosclerosis.

• Overload of the Lymphatic System: An excess of metabolites and thicker blood forces the lymphatic system into a state of permanent drainage of heavy particles. When lymph loses its natural fluidity, the body loses its ability to efficiently flush out cellular toxins, promoting energy stagnation and the formation of disease foci.

3. Why Are These Diets Promoted and Allowed to Exist?

The answer lies at the intersection of global business, psychological mechanisms, and the selective cherry-picking of facts:

• Corporate Interests and Marketing: The mass-production meat and dairy industries, along with supplement giants, form a massive lobby. Selling high-protein products and protein shakes generates immense profits. Modern systems rarely promote prevention based on simple, low-processed plant food—it is far more profitable to have a consumer who first buys expensive protein products and, years later, becomes a lifetime customer at the pharmacy.

• The Trap of "Fast Results": High-protein and low-carbohydrate diets cause rapid weight loss in the first few weeks. However, this is not an immediate loss of fat, but rather the depletion of glycogen and its bound water (each gram of glycogen binds roughly 3-4 grams of water). As glycogen stores disappear, water is excreted, and weight drops. People see a quick number change on the scales and become emotionally attached to this method, completely blind to the hidden strain placed on their internal organs.

4. The Anatomy of Addiction: The Biochemical Fat and Protein Loop

The promotion of these diets relies on a deep, mechanical addiction that is incredibly easy to fall into:

• Dopamine Stimulation via Fat and Salt: Evolutionarily, our brains are hardwired to seek out calorically dense foods (fat), which were scarce in nature. The modern combination of fat and protein acts directly on the reward system in the brain, triggering massive releases of dopamine. This is a neurochemical magnetism that we mistake for true cellular hunger.

• Exorphins (Casomorphins): Milk proteins (casein) and certain animal proteins break down during digestion into opioid-like peptides. They have a subtle soothing and addictive effect—in nature, their purpose is to form a powerful bond between offspring and mother, but in an adult diet, they act as a biochemical anchor, compelling one to constantly reach for cheese or processed meat.

• Stress and Adrenaline as Fake Energy: A profound deficit of carbohydrates forces the body to continuously activate the stress axis (cortisol and adrenaline) in order to produce the bare minimum of glucose for the brain through gluconeogenesis. This state of constant hormonal alert gives a person a false sense of stimulation, mental sharpness, and strength (the so-called "keto-high"). In reality, the body is depleting its deep life reserves, which manifests after months or years as a sudden, profound collapse of energy and chronic fatigue.

Ginkgo & Gaia