High Protein Low Carb Diets - What You Must Know!Losing weight has been one of the major health problems most men and women face today. A lot of techniques ranging from mechanical, alternative medicine, modern medical and surgical methods have been extensively promoted just to solve this nagging problem and make people happy. One practical approach recommended by health experts is to eat high protein low carb diets or getting 30% to 50% of the total calorie intake taken from protein. Basically, our bodies burn up carbohydrates for energy, which is the major fuel source for the brain, heart and other vital organs. By merely reducing carbohydrate intake, the body normally goes into the so-called ketosis where the fat burned is transformed into energy. Hence, the term ketones for the source of energy generated by the breakdown of fats being used by a person in ketosis. During ketosis, the body does not feel hungry and as a consequence, a person tends to eat less also, thereby altering your bodily functions from a carbohydrate melting machine to a fat burning mechanism resulting to weight loss. This approach sounds easy and hassle-free, isn't it? Just eat high protein low carb foods you might think. But on the downside, there are however, disadvantages in the high protein low carbohydrate diets, to wit: 1) Kidney failure - too much protein in the body stresses the kidneys 2) High cholesterol - generally, protein-rich foods such as red meat, dairy products and other fatty foods are rich sources of bad cholesterol which will eventually lead to heart disease, cancer and stoke. 3) Kidney stones and osteoporosis - protein-rich foods causes people to expel higher than normal calcium in their urine. In the long run, this could cause osteoporosis and the growth of kidney stones. 4) Cancer - It is still beneficial to get your source of protein from whole grains, fruits and vegetables as they would help you reduce your risks of developing cancer. 5) Ketosis - this is not a healthy body state as this could cause not only organ failure but also gout, kidney stone or kidney failure. This can also result to loss of appetite, nausea and unpleasant breath. Ketosis, on the other hand, can be cured by getting a mere 100-gram carbohydrates per day. 6) Constipation, bowel disorders and greater risk for colon cancer. A lot of body builders and weight trainers claim that a protein-rich healthy diet increases muscle mass. False. This diet does not contribute to the accumulation of muscle mass instead it is exercise which leads to muscle development. This approach has continued to be unverified because most experts agree that a high protein low carb diet brings in a number of health problems instead of solving the weight problems of dieters. In addition to this, the diet does not allow eating more fruits and vegetables due to the many health benefits it would bring vis a vis the need to lose weight. Instead, health experts urge dieters to renew their lifestyles by eating low calorie food like grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables couple with exercise. A word of advice for those who want to loss weight, consult first a doctor regarding the type of diet which is suitable for you. |