Protein absorbtion?

Just a quick protein question....My dad ( who had RNY about 5 years back) says that we can't absorb more than 20 grams of protein at a time.  He said you can eat more than that, but your body won't absorb it.  Is he right? Hmmmmm.  

I heard 35, myself, but (a) haven't heard it confirmed by any medical professional and (b) knowing that we have malabsorption, what's the true number?

I did a ton of research on this to try and find proof.  Nothing.  It seems it's a myth that is perpetuated by the body building supplement community .... yes, the protein powder folks.   

Things that the body can only absorb certain amounts of is always well documented in medical journals and in the medical profession.  For instance, the body can only absorb 400-500mg of calcium in a 2 to 3 hour window.  If you hear that statistic, you can easily verify it's truth in numerous medical publications.  

But you simply can't find the same information about protein.  If it were true, we'd only need to eat a 3oz steak to get that amount of protein -- since when have you ever seen a 3oz steak served?

The logical way to view protein intake is to spread it out throughout the day.  If you need to eat 80g of protein per day and you have 3 meals and 2 snacks you'll want to divide your protein needs into those feedings and come up with a plan for how much to eat throughout the day.  So 20g per meal and 10g per snack gets you to 80g for the day would keep your energy level on an even keel all day.

NOW.... I have found personally that I have a limit on how much protein my system will deal with comfortably.   If I mix up a shake that's using the direction on the jar of protein and get 50g of protein in one drink, I feel really sick.  My system does better with a max of about 30g at a time.

Pam 

Thanks for the info...I'm gonna print these posts up, and show my dad.  Always fun to be smarter than your dad!  LOL

Kathy

That's a really good question.  I am 3 years out, and I'm not absorbing hardly anything.  My protein level is down to 13.  A few months after surgery, it was 60.  I now have to eat 6 little meals a day,and try and consume 80-90 grams, a day. I'll be interested to see, if anyone finds out, anything.

Nope, he's wrong. There is no scientific proof that we are restricted in the amount of protein we absorb at one time. 
 

Quoting from “ Bariatric Nutrition: Suggestions for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient”  by Allied Health Sciences Section Ad Hoc Nutrition Committee: Linda Aills, R.D. (Chair) Jeanne Blankenship, M.S., R.D, Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D. Margaret Furtado, M.S., R.D.,&  Julie Parrott, M.S., R.D.   “One popular myth is that only 30 g/hr of protein can be absorbed. Although this is commonly found in both lay and some professional reports, there is no scientific basis for this claim”.

This is from an article that Andrea from the R&R (and other) forum posted that has lots of good information about vitamin requirements.

SherryB

Look at that!  Cold hard proof!  Thanks for your reply! 

Kathy

I have a friend going to school to be a nutritionist and I am her school project.
She has been researching this for me with her professors and they have not been able to find any actual studies proving protein absorption rates.