There are many diets that encourage extreme dedication to, or deprivation of, certain foods. Recently, high-protein diets, like the Atkins diet, Stillman diet and the Zone diet, have been popular, with millions of people who claim to have lost weight while following these diets. Despite the apparent effectiveness of high-protein diets, many questions about the long-term and short-term effects on overall health still remain.
About High-Protein Diets
High-protein diets are diets that contain 20 percent or more of your daily caloric intake from protein; 12 to 16 percent of the average American's diet comes from protein. People use high-protein diets to lose weight and feel better; purported claims include weight loss of 30 lbs. in a month while improving mental and physical fitness.
How They Work
High-protein diets work by forcing the body to burn its fat supply for energy in a process known as ketosis. The result is rapid weight loss through burning fat and excreting water. Increasing the amount of protein also keeps you feeling full and satisfied longer, reducing your craving to eat through out the day. As the body burns fat, weight is shed rapidly.
Health Concerns
When followed for short periods of time, like three to four months, high-protein diets are generally safe for weight loss. However, there are concerns that a high-protein diet may cause long-term health concerns. Because the diet restricts carbohydrate consumption and relies more on protein, it may result in nutritional deficiencies and increased risk of heart disease. As the body uses fat for energy, the ketones produced may accumulate in the blood; this may result in damage to the kidneys, liver or other organs.
Long-Term Results
The long-term results of high-protein diets are still unknown, and high-protein diets are not without critics. Most of the weight lost while following this diet is water weight, which is quickly regained upon stopping the diet. Nutritionists and the American Heart Association do not support such diets because they are high in protein and fat and are associated with documented cardiovascular and other health issues.
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