Does this chart to your right mean something to you? Because it certainly doesn't mean anything to me. Many people in this world completely overestimate their protein needs. You don't need as much protein as you think to build muscle. I'm not one to even say that I have my diet down to a perfect science either, but I've learned to limit my protein intake from what it was a year ago and notice no change in my muscular development (development meaning muscular gains not maintenance-- i look leaner than ever bringing more vegetables into my diet and less protein; and I still get stronger each week). I use to throw down 80 grams of protein in a sitting not thinking twice about my organs, but I've since realized how dangerous it can be to your health. Your kidneys, liver, and intestines can only take so much. Your organs can only handle so much protein in one sitting. Whether or not the 30g of protein per sitting myth is true (the maximum amount of protein your body can digest in one sitting being 30 g), there is a maximum at which your body can utilize those nutrients. Whether it caps off at 30 grams I am skeptical about, because a 120 pound female and a 250 pound athlete clearly have different needs and different internal capabilities, however there still is a maximum amount of digestibility. You just need to listen to your body and get frequent check ups and blood tests with your doctor to make sure your enzymes and blood counts are in check.

However, even if your body can digest all of the 100 grams of protein in one sitting (a protein shake along with a steak, which I would never recommend) like some people claim is good for you, your body turns very acidic which is not a conducive environment to staying lean.

There are a list of guys who live on vegetarian diets who are ten times more jacked and lean than you and I. How can they build muscle without an incredible amount of protein in their diets. Is it just from beans and rice? And no they don't eat 10 pounds of it to get the same amount of protein as bodybuilders. Arnold Schwarzenegger even said how people just overdo it with the protein. He said back in his day, that no more than 20% of his diet came from protein. People who think that 90% protein, 9% carbs, and 1% fat is healthy are just kidding themselves. It's really about clean, healthy calories (not about a minimal protein intake) and the total nutrients you consume--meaning vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. People overestimate the amount of total calories they need as well. Most vegetarian's 600 calories are more nutrient dense than the average person's 2500 calories of junk that "they" recommend to be the daily total requirement for a 180 lb. male. There's a lot more micronutrients in 100 calories of spinach than 1000 calories of pasta or steak.

Please check the Jon Hinds video. It will change your life.

How many of you can dunk a basketball? Or run a 6:00 mile? Or run a 4.5 40? Bodybuilding is about fitness, not being a freak who can't wipe their own tush.

If you can build muscle without animal protein, how does that play towards the argument that a minimum of 1 gram per pound of bodyweight is necessary to maintain muscle? I'm curious to see some logical thought out arguments about this. And people, please be skeptical of any "scientific study" you see or read about. You need to question it and ask yourself who is funding the scientific experiments (**cough cough** the supplement industry), either legally or under the table. Stimulation, vitamins, minerals, hydration, and sleep conducive to an anabolic hormonal environment are more important than eating 600 grams of protein a day.

You have to understand that most people have been slowly and gradually brainwashed that more and more protein at every meal is beneficial for them-- The "If some is good, more is better mentality"-- life doesn't work that way. In fact, it usually works out to be more harmful than good. Things in moderation are the way to go and most bodybuilders back in the day used to never count their protein because they said that "you get enough protein in your diet already". Things have certainly changed from then to now, where people carry protein tubs in their car and protein bars wherever they go. When we preach to eat every 2 hours, we mainly mean natural foods, fruits, and vegetables. We are not suggesting that a vegetarian diet is the way to go. I, by no means, am a vegetarian. When vegetarians look at a steak, they see a cow; when I see a cow, I see a steak- catch my drift? What am I here to tell you though is not to overdo it with the protein intake at one sitting, because keeping it under control is important for overall health and fitness levels.

However, bodybuilding has transformed into an unhealthy way of life recently with all the conjecture regarding protein intake, and that's why its lost its notoriety from the 70's, 80's, etc.. Jack Lalanne had his own television show on ESPN and will always be remembered in a good light as leading the most healthy lifestyle. With all due respect to these professional bodybuilders, that is something I doubt Jay Cutler or Ronnie Coleman could ever say the same for when they pass away. Pumping drugs and shoveling protein down your throat is not a healthy way of life. These professional bodybuilders obviously work their tail off and sacrifice so much to get where they are and I say this with all due respect to their dedication, but there has clearly been a divide between the sport's freaks and what's actually healthy for physical fitness.