A Low-carbohydrate, High-protein Diet

Proponents of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets advocate cutting carbs and eating a high-protein diet to induce weight loss, promote certain health benefits and eliminate excess sugar. However, there is some controversy about low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets, with opponents claiming they are hard to follow or have significant health risks. The facts suggest, though, that a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet can be healthful.

Definition

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that adults consume 45 to 65 percent of total calories as carbohydrates. A low-carbohydrate diet will reduce this percentage significantly, replacing a proportion of the carbs with protein from plant or animal sources. The USDA notes the benefits of carbohydrates include dietary fiber, which is known to decrease the risk of heart disease.

Ethnic Diets

Due to geography and climate, some ethnic groups naturally consume low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets. "Discover" reports that the traditional Inuit diet consists almost entirely of fish and meat, including high quantities of animal fat from seals, whales and walruses. Research shows this diet is healthful and, despite lacking fruit and vegetables, it is nutritionally adequate because Inuits get necessary vitamins and minerals by eating offal, such as liver and kidneys.

Weight-Loss

"Living the Low-Carb Life: From Atkins to the Zone" profiles 14 popular low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets, including Atkins, Zone, the South Beach Diet and Sugar Busters. Each of these diets recommends slightly varying levels of carbs and protein, but the principles are the same: reducing carbohydrate and eating more lean protein causes weight loss by stabilizing insulin levels and encouraging your body to burn fat, rather than glucose, for fuel.

Benefits

Significant health benefits have been attributed to low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets. An extensive study on families following low carb diets, reported in "Nutrition Journal" showed that significant numbers of people following a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet lost weight, maintained their weight loss, raised their levels of high-density lipids -- the good cholesterol -- and reported feeling fitter and having more energy.

Risks

A study in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" shows that different types of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets have different health impacts, notes MedlinePlus. According to the report, an animal-based diet -- one with a lot of meat and poultry -- leads to an increased risk of cancer and mortality. A diet based on high levels of vegetable protein, such as soy, legumes, nuts and whole grains, lead to reduced risk of heart disease and death.