# Basic questions about protein
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 23, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517 "2019-07-23T22:27:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/1 "2019-07-23T22:27:26Z")
I’m not into exercising, which I guess is kind of obvious based on the title, but I did start working in a factory on several different hard jobs, carrying heavy stuff in hands, pulling heavy metal containers with a hand forklift on a hot summer sun and several other “activities”.
Since essentially I am going to the gym now, the gym being my workplace, I have two questions about protein:
1. if I want protein to be used for building muscle and not to get used just as a fuel source like carbs or fuels, do I need to pass my daily calorie requirement number first and only then eat protein as my last meal of the day? For example 1900 calories as a requirement, or can I use protein for muscle building even if I don’t yet hit the 1900 calorie number, like for example to eat most of my protein in the morning and first half of the day. If second is the answer, do I need to reach the 1900 calorie number at all in that case?
2. Since I work for 8 hours and don’t know in advance when I will do heavy stuff (I do easy stuff as well, but mixed, maybe I’ll not do anything heavy for the first few hours, maybe I’ll do heavy stuff the entire day,etc.) , should I eat protein before work, after it or before bed? At the moment I don’t have any schedules, but I mostly eat protein before bed, since that’s when I will rest, so it kind of makes sense that I’ll need nutrients to regenerate while sleeping, though my logic may be flawed, I don’t know…
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### Author:  [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/2 "2019-07-24T00:19:08Z")
I’ve yet to see any compelling evidence that eating X number of calories at different times of the day, or scheduling which macronutrients you eat at which time of day, makes any meaningful difference in how your body uses it. If you want to gain weight, including muscle, you need to eat more than you burn. But more importantly, you need to actually work those muscles consistently. More weight, fewer reps is the rule of thumb for adding bulk; it’s been my personal experience that I don’t see any growth without feeling a little sore after every workout for at least a few weeks. You probably don’t need to eat as much protein as you think you do.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/3 "2019-07-24T01:26:19Z")
Few people know more about protein in regards to athletic needs than Alan Aragon. Here’s a quick video from five years ago, but not outdated:
Probably not very relevant to you though as working hard isn't the same as training.
As far as timing, here’s an excellent review by Alan and Brad Schoenfeld:
> **[The effect of protein timing on muscle strength and hypertrophy: a...](https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-10-53)**
>
> Protein timing is a popular dietary strategy designed to optimize the adaptive response to exercise. The strategy involves consuming protein in and around a training session in an effort to facilitate muscular repair and remodeling, and thereby...
> [@Esprise\_Me](#):
>
> More weight, fewer reps is the rule of thumb for adding bulk
That’s the old rule. Plenty of evidence over the last several years that all rep ranges produce similar results as far as hypertrophy is concerned (strength is another matter). Here’s some info with cites:
> **[The "Hypertrophy Rep Range" – Fact or Fiction?](https://www.strongerbyscience.com/hypertrophy-range-fact-fiction/)**
>
> Is there a hypertrophy range of 6-15 reps per set that will net you more muscle growth? Let's look at this question both scientifically and practically.
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### Author:  [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/4 "2019-07-24T03:33:52Z")
> [@JakeRS](#):
>
> 1. if I want protein to be used for building muscle and not to get used just as a fuel source like carbs or fuels
Mother Nature already took care of that. Carbs and fats are much better energy sources both in terms of energy density and of the body’s ability to store them (fat gets stored as body fat all over; carbs, as glucagon in the liver; proteins, nowhere\*): proteins are only used as an energy source in significant amounts by the time you look like a scarecrow’s thinner brother.
- “Being used as building blocks in muscle and other organs” is not the same as “storing”. There isn’t any place where the body puts away piles of aminoacids “for later use”, as there is with sugars and fats. This is why essential aminoacids, those that our bodies cannot make, need to always be part of our diet: our body cannot make them, but it also can’t put them away when we eat a lot of them and pull them back later.
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/5 "2019-07-24T05:00:17Z")
Be more concerned about hydration than about protein at this time.
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### Author:  [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/6 "2019-07-24T10:03:00Z")
So…in other words it doesn’t matter if I eat most of my proteins in the morning, they will still get used for building muscle, as long as I reach the 1900 calory mark by the end of the day? I just need a straightforward answer
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/7 "2019-07-24T10:23:54Z")
> [@JakeRS](#):
>
> So…in other words it doesn’t matter if I eat most of my proteins in the morning, they will still get used for building muscle, as long as I reach the 1900 calory mark by the end of the day? I just need a straightforward answer
To build muscle, you need a slight caloric surplus, no more than 100-300 calories/day. More than that will be stored as fat. You need to determine your maintenance caloric intake.
Since you’re working hard all day, it would be better to take in some protein through the day. It will also be easier to meet your total needs rather than forcing it all in one meal.
You also will be burning glycogen and replenishing that is made more efficient if some protein is consumed with carbs.
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### Author:  [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/8 "2019-07-24T12:02:36Z")
My suggestion would be to do some specific online research about protein requirements to build muscle for someone your age, gender and activity level. Alternatively you could talk to a nutritionist or fitness trainer.
After that I’d strongly suggest using an app to track your carb, fat and protein intake. I use a free one called “MyNetDiary”, but there are many similar ones. On the app you enter your personal goals, activity level etc. The app then provides you with a caloric breakdown plus a “food guide” generic target of carbs, fats and protein consumption in order to gain, lose or maintain weight.
You can then _personalize_ their suggested CF&P levels to your individual goals based on your research i.e.: increase the level of protein to however many grams/day you need.
Once you start using the app, you enter everything you eat & drink and it gives you an ongoing breakdown of how you’re doing with respect to your your targets. You’ll then will definitively know if you should eat more protein in a given day etc.
When you first start using the app, entering every food is a bit of a pain in the ass, but the app “remembers” your foods. As you use it more, data entry gets easier and faster.
Once you see the data breakdown it can be very illuminating. It helped me make massive changes to my diet. I was not getting _nearly_ as much protein as I thought or required in a given day (when you eat a 10oz steak, you’re _ **not** _ getting 10oz of protein), and I was getting _way_ more carbs than I thought (or needed).
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/9 "2019-07-24T15:23:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#):
>
> To build muscle, you need a slight caloric surplus
Definitely not a need, especially in noobs. I’ve even seen advanced athletes build muscle without being in a surplus when training body parts they usually don’t focus on, for example, forearms.
One can even build muscle in a caloric deficit.
> **[Gaining Muscle Mass in a Deficit vs. Bulking (Research Review) • Sci-Fit](https://sci-fit.net/bulking-deficit-gaining/#Overview_of_Studies)**
>
> Can we gain in a deficit? How much should you eat to reach your goals? This article applies to you whether you're a beginner or advanced lifter.
> [@](#):
>
> You also will be burning glycogen and replenishing that is made more efficient if some protein is consumed with carbs.
I’d be interested in a cite for that.
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### Author:  [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/10 "2019-07-24T15:36:00Z")
Unless you are into some serious powerlifting, you likely don’t need to be so concerned about the optimum way to manage protein. Do you eat protein throughout the day with your regular meals? Typically, proteins are part of your normal diet anyway. I would guess that would suffice for the protein you would need at this level.
The work activities you describe at aren’t really going to build all that much muscle. They use your muscles, but it’s not likely that your muscles are exterted in such a way that your body is triggered to build them up very much. You will notice some improvement in your muscles and body shape, but it’s not so much that you need to worry about eating enough protein. If you have a typical diet, you should likely be getting plenty of protein anyway.
However, if you start going to the gym and doing multi-hour weightlifting workouts where you’re trembling from the effort, then it’s a good idea to add supplemental protein. At that level, you’re stressing the muscles in such a way that they’ll need protein to rebuild and build up.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/11 "2019-07-24T15:45:44Z")
> [@filmore](#):
>
> Unless you are into some serious powerlifting, you likely don’t need to be so concerned about the optimum way to manage protein.
Not bodybuilding?
> [@](#):
>
> If you have a typical diet, you should likely be getting plenty of protein anyway.
There are numerous studies showing various benefits of increasing protein.
> [@](#):
>
> However, if you start going to the gym and doing multi-hour weightlifting workouts where you’re trembling from the effort, then it’s a good idea to add supplemental protein.
It doesn’t take that level of resistance exercise for increased protein to be a benefit.
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### Author:  [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/12 "2019-07-24T16:08:57Z")
You should only worry about burning protein during the day if that is all you are eating. Otherwise the fat and carbs you eat will be what is burned and not the protein.
Conventional wisdom is that you should eat protein within 1 hour of working out for maximum effect. This has not been studied in any great detail and may just be bro science.
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### Author:  [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/13 "2019-07-24T16:59:51Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#):
>
> That’s the old rule. Plenty of evidence over the last several years that all rep ranges produce similar results as far as hypertrophy is concerned (strength is another matter). Here’s some info with cites:
>
> [https://www.strongerbyscience.com/hypertrophy-range-fact-fiction/](https://www.strongerbyscience.com/hypertrophy-range-fact-fiction/)
Good to know, thanks. I’m actually unsure now that I reread the OP whether he’s actually trying to add bulk or just build/maintain enough strength to do the job. If the latter, your cite still validates the more weight/fewer reps idea:
> [@](#):
>
> … the assumptions about lower reps/higher weights building more strength and higher rep/lower weights building more strength endurance have largely been validated. You can still gain strength with light weights/high reps and moderate weight/moderate reps, but strength gains are generally better with heavy, low-rep training. Conversely, you can build absolute muscular endurance (how many times you can move a set load, regardless of your 1rm) with low rep and moderate rep training, but you can build a lot more with high rep training, and high rep training is generally the only way to improve relative muscular endurance (how many times you can lift a certain percentage of your 1rm).
Anyway, I’d be very cautious about internet research or advice from others. For every factoid we actually know about nutrition and exercise, there are a million widely-accepted urban myths, as you’re already seeing.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/14 "2019-07-24T17:15:32Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#):
>
> I’d be interested in a cite for that.
[Regulation of Muscle Glycogen Repletion, Muscle Protein Synthesis and Repair Following Exercise](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905295/)
> [@](#):
>
> To maximize the rate of muscle glycogen synthesis it is important to consume a carbohydrate supplement immediately post exercise, to continue to supplement at frequent intervals and to consume approximately 1.2 g carbohydrate·kg-1 body wt·h-1. Maximizing glycogen synthesis with less frequent supplementation and less carbohydrate can be achieved with the addition of protein to the carbohydrate supplement. This will also promote protein synthesis and reduce protein degradation, thus having the added benefit of stimulating muscle tissue repair and adaptation. Moreover, recent research suggests that consuming a carbohydrate/protein supplement post exercise will have a more positive influence on subsequent exercise performance than a carbohydrate supplement.
[The Role of Post-Exercise Nutrient Administration on Muscle Protein Synthesis and Glycogen Synthesis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3761704/) (Halfway down the page- Intervention of protein section)
> [@](#):
>
> The addition of protein to carbohydrate consumption in the post-exercise period has led to mixed results. Zawadzki and colleagues (1992) investigated the effects of carbohydrate, protein, and carbohydrate plus protein supplements on muscle glycogen synthesis after two hours of cycling. Participants ingested either 112g of carbohydrates, 41 grams of protein, or 112 grams of carbohydrate and 41 grams of protein immediately, and two hours after three separate exercise bouts. Supplementing carbohydrates and protein together resulted in higher glycogen stores than the carbohydrate and protein groups.
> It is apparent that protein can further augment glycogen synthesis when ingested with an adequate amount of carbohydrates. However, conflicting evidence does exist. van Loon and colleagues (2000) concluded that the ingestion of ample carbohydrates is the limiting factor in determining the magnitude of glycogen synthesis after exercise. When protein was added to a sufficient carbohydrate solution, glycogen synthesis was not further stimulated. Other investigations have seen enhanced rates of glycogen synthesis during the post-exercise period (Berardi et al., 2006; Bowtell et al., 1999; Tarnopolsky, et al., 1997) whereas others disagree (Carrithers et al., 2000; Jentjens, et al., 2001; Yaspelkis and Ivy, 1999). In conclusion, it looks as if glycogen synthesis can increase with the addition of protein under certain circumstances, although some evidence lacks in supporting this claim. A summary of factors affecting glycogen synthesis immediately after exercise are displayed in Figure 3.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/15 "2019-07-24T17:15:58Z")
> [@Esprise\_Me](#):
>
> Good to know, thanks. I’m actually unsure now that I reread the OP whether he’s actually trying to add bulk or just build/maintain enough strength to do the job. If the latter, your cite still validates the more weight/fewer reps idea:
Sure, you specifically said “More weight, fewer reps is the rule of thumb for adding bulk.” That’s what I was responding to and specifically added “strength is another matter.”
> [@](#):
>
> Anyway, I’d be very cautious about internet research or advice from others. For every factoid we actually know about nutrition and exercise, there are a million widely-accepted urban myths, as you’re already seeing.
That’s the case for a lot of the things asked of in GQ. What the bulk of the research shows us is generally the best answer. It’s easy to cherry pick data and arrive at one’s biased conclusion.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/16 "2019-07-24T19:56:10Z")
> [@running\_coach](#):
>
> [Regulation of Muscle Glycogen Repletion, Muscle Protein Synthesis and Repair Following Exercise](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905295/)
> [The Role of Post-Exercise Nutrient Administration on Muscle Protein Synthesis and Glycogen Synthesis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3761704/) (Halfway down the page- Intervention of protein section)
Thanks, I’ll take a closer look when I get a chance. I believe at least one of those studies was mentioned in another nutrient timing paper by Aragon and Schoenfeld.
FTR, they found the research to show that most athletes (those not engaging in endurance sports where the duration between glycogen-depleting events is limited to less than approximately 8 hours) don’t need to concern themselves with maximizing the rate of muscle glycogen synthesis:
> [@](#):
>
> Despite a sound theoretical basis, the practical significance of expeditiously repleting glycogen stores remains dubious. Without question, expediting glycogen resynthesis is important for a narrow subset of endurance sports where the duration between glycogen-depleting events is limited to less than approximately 8 hours [31]. Similar benefits could potentially be obtained by those who perform two-a-day split resistance training bouts (i.e. morning and evening) provided the same muscles will be worked during the respective sessions. However, for goals that are not specifically focused on the performance of multiple exercise bouts in the same day, the urgency of glycogen resynthesis is greatly diminished. High-intensity resistance training with moderate volume (6-9 sets per muscle group) has only been shown to reduce glycogen stores by 36-39% [8, 32]. Certain athletes are prone to performing significantly more volume than this (i.e., competitive bodybuilders), but increased volume typically accompanies decreased frequency. For example, training a muscle group with 16-20 sets in a single session is done roughly once per week, whereas routines with 8-10 sets are done twice per week. In scenarios of higher volume and frequency of resistance training, incomplete resynthesis of pre-training glycogen levels would not be a concern aside from the far-fetched scenario where exhaustive training bouts of the same muscles occur after recovery intervals shorter than 24 hours. However, even in the event of complete glycogen depletion, replenishment to pre-training levels occurs well-within this timeframe, regardless of a significantly delayed post-exercise carbohydrate intake. For example, Parkin et al [33] compared the immediate post-exercise ingestion of 5 high-glycemic carbohydrate meals with a 2-hour wait before beginning the recovery feedings. No significant between-group differences were seen in glycogen levels at 8 hours and 24 hours post-exercise. In further support of this point, Fox et al. [34] saw no significant reduction in glycogen content 24 hours after depletion despite adding 165 g fat collectively to the post-exercise recovery meals and thus removing any potential advantage of high-glycemic conditions.
> **[Nutrient timing revisited: is there a post-exercise anabolic window? -...](https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-10-5)**
>
> Nutrient timing is a popular nutritional strategy that involves the consumption of combinations of nutrients--primarily protein and carbohydrate--in and around an exercise session. Some have claimed that this approach can produce dramatic...
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### Author:  [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/17 "2019-07-24T20:12:28Z")
When discussing protein for muscle building, the activity mentioned in the OP should be taken into consideration. He’s at work, where occasionally he has to lift something heavy. This is not working out in a gym with a fully-loaded bar. He’s not doing sets. He’s pulling a rolling forklift from one place to another. While I totally agree it takes some exertion and will make him tired, I’m less likely to think it’s going to be stressful enough to stimulate significant muscle growth that protein needs to be monitored or taken on a certain schedule. I would be very surprised if any modern factory following OSHA-requirements would have workers doing activities which mimicked a weightlifting workout. There would be too high a risk for injury.
So in this specific case, I would think extra protein would be a waste. I don’t get the sense that a factory worker would need more protein than they get in their normal diet. It may actually end up contributing to undesirable weight gain. Your body isn’t going to automatically convert extra protein into muscle. If it doesn’t need to make more muscle, the protein would be converted and stored as fat.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/18 "2019-07-24T21:24:36Z")
> [@filmore](#):
>
> Your body isn’t going to automatically convert extra protein into muscle. If it doesn’t need to make more muscle, the protein would be converted and stored as fat.
Depending on what one’s diet currently is, extra protein may be converted to muscle. And protein being converted to fat is highly unlikely.
> [@](#):
>
> _Conclusions_
>
> So, while we do biochemically possess the pathways needed to convert amino acids to fatty acids, the chances of that ever happening to a significant degree during higher protein intakes, even in the face of adequate energy and carbohydrates, are irrelevant given what we know about the extreme measures that need to be surpassed in order for any appreciable fat gain from protein to take place.
>
> Indeed, overeating by ~1,000kcals/day for 8 weeks in combination with higher protein intakes did not amount to any additional gains in body fat compared to a lower protein, hypercaloric diet. Rather, excess protein in the face of overfeeding actually contributed to gains in lean body mass (be that what it may); quite the contrary to what textbooks and classrooms teach. In reality, the chances that excess protein contributes to body fat stores are insignificant, and arguably physically impossible under normal and/or reasonable hypercaloric conditions that most people/athletes might face on a daily basis. Only until theoretical extremes, either for protein intakes or calories or both are achieved, will there be any significant contributions to body fat from excess protein intake. This shouldn’t concern most people in the slightest.
> **[Can excess protein be stored as body fat?](https://nutridylan.com/2013/06/07/can-excess-protein-be-stored-as-body-fat/)**
>
> Introduction It’s not uncommon to hear claims that dietary protein eaten in excess of some arbitrary number will be stored as body fat. Even those who are supposed to be reputable sources for nutri…
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### Author:  [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/19 "2019-07-24T22:15:13Z")
> [@filmore](#):
>
> When discussing protein for muscle building, the activity mentioned in the OP should be taken into consideration. He’s at work, where occasionally he has to lift something heavy. This is not working out in a gym with a fully-loaded bar. He’s not doing sets. He’s pulling a rolling forklift from one place to another. While I totally agree it takes some exertion and will make him tired, I’m less likely to think it’s going to be stressful enough to stimulate significant muscle growth that protein needs to be monitored or taken on a certain schedule. I would be very surprised if any modern factory following OSHA-requirements would have workers doing activities which mimicked a weightlifting workout. There would be too high a risk for injury.
>
> So in this specific case, I would think extra protein would be a waste. I don’t get the sense that a factory worker would need more protein than they get in their normal diet. It may actually end up contributing to undesirable weight gain. Your body isn’t going to automatically convert extra protein into muscle. If it doesn’t need to make more muscle, the protein would be converted and stored as fat.
I’m not from America, but from East Europe, so no OSHA, at least nothing strict. The main thing I waste my energy on every day is pulling/pushing several 100kg metal containers (to recycle material inside them) for around 3 kilometers (around 2 miles) of combined length (there and back, that’s not counting times when I am going empty to get the next container), with a part of the route being uphill, where I must push hard to get it over that. Then another half mile with another 100kg container to take out garbage materials. Add to that the hot sun and +30 degrees celsius (90F) and I’d like to see if you wouldn’t consider that a workout. Try it, get a hand forklift and push 100 kilos for 2 miles in 90 degrees and say how it felt, just make sure at least 20% of it is uphill. My BMI is just 19 and I never did any real exercising in my life before this job, so feel free to add more weight to make things proportional.
That’s just what I do in the first 2 hours every day, then there are a bunch of different jobs that come later on, like working multiple hours on a large hand operated cutting machine, where you must pull the cutting handle hard or else you won’t cut through the material. This is not as tough as containers, but after that there’s still about 4 similarly physically requiring things we do each day, counting the fact that there’s no unscheduled need for even more material, counting that a machine didn’t broke down, that the person in charge didn’t order us to do something additional,etc.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517/20 "2019-07-24T23:07:03Z")
I doubt that OSHA gets involved with manual labor limits. I found the following:
> [@](#):
>
> Question: Does OSHA have a statute that addresses procedures for lifting heavy objects?
>
> Response: OSHA does not have a standard which sets limits on how much a person may lift or carry.
[https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-06-04-0](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2013-06-04-0)
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