According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, nearly 60 percent of the American population is overweight or obese, leading consumers and health care professionals to look for solutions to the epidemic. Some plans promote restrictive diets such as those high in protein that limit carbohydrate consumption. Diets that contain low-fat protein can serve as a solution for many dieters.
Efficacy
Diets such as the Atkins Diet that promote protein as a weight-loss tool remain controversial in medical communities, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Research continues to prove, however, that the reduction of calories overall is the most important influence in the success of a weight-loss plan. While high-protein diets seem to provide for significant weight loss in the beginning, they are unsustainable and unhealthy in the long run. Dieters who continue to restrict calorie consumption lose the most weight and keep it off longer than those on high-protein diets.
Function
A high-protein diet is designed to deplete the body's store of glucose, or sugar. Instead, high-protein diets rely on ketones to provide the necessary energy. As insulin levels lower, the body should turn to its stores of fat for energy, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The shift in how the body uses energy stores results in the release of fatty acids from fat, the metabolism of amino acids from current muscle mass and increased liver production of fatty acids.
Warning
The side effects of a diet that relies on significant increase in protein consumption can be serious. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, high-protein diets increase urea production and add additional acid to the urine. A high-protein diet can lead to dehydration. Vegetables and other high-fiber foods typically are restricted on a protein-based diet, which can lead to constipation and a reduction in necessary vitamins and minerals.
Options
Replacing a meal with a high-protein option may be the most effective solution for incorporating protein foods in a weight-loss plan, according to MayoClinic.com. Meal replacement options high in protein should not be added to your regular diet, but used instead of a meal no more than once a day to maintain your health. Protein shakes and meal bars contain calories that must be included in your daily caloric budget.
Expert Opinion
A medically supervised high-protein diet can result in significant weight loss. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a diet that consists of lean meat, poultry, seafood and a small amount of low-carbohydrate vegetables can lead to quick weight loss. Called a modified fast, the side effects must be monitored, however, to prevent illness. Prescription potassium and adequate amounts of fluid and sodium intake are vital components of the diet. Varying from the strict diet can cause limited weight loss and disrupt the body's delicate electrolyte balance.
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