High-Protein Diets-Are they Safe?

   

        Protein is known as ‘the building blocks of life’. This is because proteins make up the most essential part of the human body; DNA. Proteins are formed by 20 different amino acids, nine of which are called “essential amino acids”, meaning we can only obtain these through food. These amino acids join together to form protein, and it is the different sequences in which they form that makes up the different and unique strands of DNA.

Amino acids have many functions in the body, but the key functions include:

• Providing structure for the body
• Acting as hormones that regulate physiological process such as growth and development, and responses of the nervous system
• Providing contractions of muscles to produce movement
• Transporting vital substances such as oxygen in the blood
• Supporting digestion through enzymatic reactions

For most healthy people, a high-protein diet generally isn't harmful if followed for a short time, such as six months or less, and may help with weight loss.

High-protein diets remain popular as they promote weight loss by restricting carbs and increasing protein. They also help people to feel full for longer and stabilise blood sugar levels. The high-protein diet,  is also very popular among athletes as it is believed to increase their strength, speed and endurance levels.

Risks of high-protein diets:

 

• They violate almost every known fact about nutritionally balanced eating. For some dieters, these diets can even be life threatening.What is wrong with good clean protein and high fibrous vegetables, no processed foods (like most people eat) minimum caffeine and frequent, small meals helps to avoid overeating.
• Popular high protein diet foods are high in cholesterol and saturated fat, which are now established as major culprits in heart attacks and strokes.
• Some high-protein diets restrict carbohydrate intake so much that they can result in nutritional deficiencies or insufficient fiber, which can cause health problems such as constipation and diverticulitis.
• A high-protein diet may worsen kidney function in people with kidney disease because your body may have trouble eliminating all the waste products of protein metabolism. 
• They overload you with protein, which results in loss of calcium from your bones, which may lead to osteoporosis. Protein overload also pressurizes your kidneys as they try to eliminate large amounts of urea, a by-product of protein metabolism.

• They are deficient in essential vitamins. Indeed, some high protein diets even require you to take vitamin supplements for the sake of your health.
• They deliver temporary weight loss. But a large part of it is water weight and lean muscle mass - not fat. You lose water because your kidneys try to get rid of the excess waste products of protein and fat, called ketoses, that your body makes.
• Finally, it's worth knowing that while your body burns up 23 calories for every 100 carbohydrate calories it 'digests', it only burns up 3 calories for every 100 fat calories it 'digests'. So a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet makes it easier for you to stay fat!

If you want to follow a high-protein diet, do so only as a short-term weight-loss aid. Also, choose your protein wisely. Good choices include fish, skinless chicken, lean beef, pork and low-fat dairy products. Choose carbs that are high in fiber, such as whole grains and nutrient-dense vegetables and fruit.It's always a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting a weight-loss diet. And that's especially important in this case if you have kidney disease, diabetes or other chronic health condition.
Finally, keep in mind that weight loss may be temporary, especially if you return to your previous way of eating.

Saturday, August 17, 2013