Protein seems to be everywhere. Powders, shakes, collagen and snacks all promise to help you reach a higher daily target.
Protein is essential. But how much you need, where it comes from and how well your body processes it also matter.
More protein does not automatically mean better health.
Why protein matters
Protein supplies amino acids, the building blocks needed for muscles, enzymes, tissue repair and many other functions.
Amino acids also contribute to liver processing pathways, antioxidant protection and bile production.
Getting too little can leave important nutritional needs unmet. The aim is to provide enough without assuming that continually increasing your intake will bring greater benefits.
What happens when protein is broken down?
Your body uses amino acids for repair, maintenance and energy. During their breakdown, nitrogen waste is produced, including ammonia.
Ammonia needs to be processed and removed. The liver converts it into urea through a series of biochemical steps called the urea cycle. The kidneys then remove urea through urine.
This is normal everyday metabolism. However, when someone has significant liver dysfunction or a disorder affecting the urea cycle, their ability to handle this waste can become impaired.
Why impaired ammonia clearance matters
If ammonia accumulates, it can affect brain function and contribute to serious neurological symptoms, including confusion, changes in behaviour and unusual drowsiness.
Excess ammonia can also disrupt cellular energy processes and contribute to oxidative stress, where reactive molecules place pressure on the body’s protective systems.
This is a medical concern, rather than something to diagnose from tiredness or brain fog after a meal. Those symptoms have many possible causes.
A healthy liver normally handles nitrogen waste effectively. The concern is particularly important when liver function or nitrogen processing is already impaired.
When concentrated protein adds up
A shake at breakfast, collagen in coffee, protein bars and another supplement after exercise can create a substantial intake before your main meals are counted.
These products can be convenient, but they make it easy to keep adding protein without reviewing the total.
A larger intake means more amino acids to process and more nitrogen waste to handle. Whether this creates a problem depends on your health and metabolic capacity.
If you have diagnosed liver disease, do not restrict protein yourself. Adequate protein remains important for maintaining muscle, and your intake needs individual guidance.
Where vitamin B1 fits
Thiamine, or vitamin B1, helps enzymes involved in energy production and the breakdown of certain amino acids work properly.
This illustrates why protein metabolism depends on more than protein alone. Adequate nutrition, digestion and functioning metabolic pathways all matter.
Taking additional protein does not correct an underlying difficulty processing it.
My approach
I consider your total intake from food and supplements, your activity, muscle needs, digestion, energy and any diagnosed liver or kidney conditions.
I also look at whether powders are replacing balanced meals or contributing to digestive discomfort.
Where appropriate, I may recommend relevant blood tests or further investigation. Albumin and total protein can provide context, but they cannot establish your protein needs or diagnose impaired ammonia clearance on their own.
Support may involve adjusting portions, spreading protein across meals and choosing sources you tolerate.
The aim is to nourish your muscles, support repair and meet your needs without chasing a target that may not suit your body.
If you feel you need support in this area, please reach out and let’s take the next steps together towards improving your overall wellbeing.
Lisa Cahill
Qualified nurse and naturopathic nutritionist
Evolve Female Wellness
lisa@evolvefemalewellness.com
Protein powders, amino acids and nutrient supplements do not suit everybody. Any supplements mentioned are for information only, not recommendations. Your needs, medical history and medicines should be assessed before use.