High-protein diets are a bust.

High-protein diets are a bust.

This was given to me as a supplement in my nutrition class. Thought I'd share as nutrition effects everyone and many are still confused about high-protein diets.

The Cooper Institute in Dallas released the following statement in 2001. (They are a very important fitness and health research center.)

"The Cooper Clinic DOES NOT recommend a high protein, low carbohydrate diet for the following reasons:

It is inadequate in major nutrients (i.e., carbohydrates) and micronutrients (many vitamins, minerals, anioxidants and phytochemical).

It is imbalanced.The U.S. Dietary Guildines, the Surgeon General, the American Heart Association, American Dietetic Association, American Cancer Society and the American College of Sports Medicine all recommend a diet comprised of 10-15% protein, 55-60% carbohydrate, 20-30% fat and 20-35 grams of dietary fiber.

It promotes water (not fat) loss. It gives one false sense of weight loss due to an immediate loss of body fluid. May also cause excessive potassium loss, electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Rarely is weight loss permanent.

It causes ketosis.High protein, low carbohydrate dies result in the formation of ketones (vs. glucose [the real body fuel]) as a source of fuel. Ketones are formed and released into the bloodstream resulting in ketosis (a fasting type state). Ketosis supresses appetite, may cause msucle breakdown, causes nausea, dehydration, headaches, lightheadedness, irritability, bad breath and potential kidney problems.

It is often low in fiber--causing constipation and possibly increasing one's risk for colon cancer [Didn't Dr. Atkins die of colon cancer?] and heart disease. 

It is often high in cholesterol and saturated fat-- [no one wants alot of those in the first place] increasing one's risk of heart disease and cancer.

It may raise uric acid levels-- increasing one's risk of gout. [EWWW!]

It may raise BUN and creatinine levels--a sign of impaired kidney function. [I'm not entirely sure what those are, but I know that they are in lots of performance enhancing supplements, and because they are, athletes are supposed to stay away from those supplements. If they're bad for athletes they can't be good for anyone.]

No controlled studies prove its safety and/or effectiveness.

Summary: Calories are the bottom line for losing weight. Healthy, varied, balanced meals at reduced calorie levels are the most effective means of losing weight-- permanently and healthfully."

I thought that was interesting. Hope someone else benefits from that bit too!