According to Men’s Health, protein is still important for muscle, bone health and other body functions, but the magazine warned that people can still take in too much. The article, written by Christine Byrne and published on Nov. 14, 2025, said protein has become a major focus for many adults who now rely on meat, fish, eggs, soy, shakes and bars to raise their daily intake.
The report said the Dietary Guidelines for Americans place protein at 10% to 35% of daily calories, while the basic minimum is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. It added that a more practical target for many adults is 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram, especially for people who exercise often and want to build muscle.
Registered dietitian Tabitha B. Nicholas said, “Yes, there is such a thing as too much protein.” The article said the general upper limit for most adult males is about 2 grams per kilogram of body weight, which puts a 185-pound man at roughly 168 grams a day.
The piece also said regular overuse may raise the risk of kidney stones, reduce fiber intake and contribute to weight gain if the extra protein is not burned. It added that healthy kidneys are unlikely to be damaged by protein alone, but people with kidney disease should be more careful.
