http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?A2=ind0208&L=paleofood&P=R16545

Wally Day wrote:
>>Well, and why is it so difficult to hit the ceiling?

> "The level of protein at which this will occur varies,
> but it is thought to be possible when protein makes up
> 30-40% of the calories in an eucaloric diet (the
> percent calories from protein can be higher in a
> hypocaloric diet). "

That's consistent with the explanation from L.Cordain, Todd offered
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?A2=ind0208&L=paleofood&P=R16545
You *can* eat more in percent if you eat very little calories.
If you manage to eat 3 lbs of meat anyway.

>
> "'Rabbit Starvation' (a term coined by V. Stefansson
> to describe the phenomenon of excessive dietary
> protein) often occurred among explorers who would live
> for long periods of time on extremely low fat small
> game animals (i.e. rabbits).  The condition was marked
> by nausea, vomiting, weight loss and fatigue. 'Rabbit
> Starvation' was reversible when the percentage of
> daily calories from protein began to drop.

And if the subject didn't die before of course.

> "In general, if one is consuming commercially
> available meats (even chicken), the percentage of
> calories from fat would be too high to induce this
> condition. In the modified low carbohydrate diets, due
> to the varied food sources, the risk of protein
> toxicity, for all practical purposes, is
> non-existent."

Just a test:
300g protein from fatty beef (17% fat) are.. 3700 kcal
300g protein from lean beef (5.6% fat) are   2150 kcal
300g protein from rabbit (2% fat)      are   1483 kcal
(These are from  1300 to 1500 grams, 3 lbs)
If you ate rabbits only you won't become satisfied by energy.
If you eat more -for the energy- you'd get rabbit starvation.
With lean beef you have to be satisfied with 2150 kcal,
with fat beef you won't get rabbit starvation.

Regards

Amadeus