MITTENDORFER S

Consuming too much protein is risky for arteries, and this amino acid is to blame: Study

The study, which combined small human trials with experiments in mice and cells in a Petri dish, showed that consuming over 22% of dietary calories from protein can lead to increased activation of immune cells that play a role in atherosclerotic plaque formation, driving the disease risk. Furthermore, the scientists showed that one amino acid - leucine - seems to have a disproportionate role in driving the pathological pathways linked to atherosclerosis, or stiff, hardened arteries.