What Does High Protein Diet Consist Of?

A high protein diet requires you to increase your protein intake while simultaneously reducing your carbohydrate intake. According to "Protein Power: The High-Protein/Low-Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit and Boost Your Health in Just Weeks," depending on the source of your protein, many individuals also increase their fat intake when using high protein diets. Furthermore, according to the Mayo Clinic, utilizing a high protein diet for an extended period of time can tax your body and damage your kidneys, bones and other systems. You should speak to a medical professional before starting any diet plan, including a high protein diet.

Protein Requirements

Your body needs protein to remain healthy and function properly. However, the specific amount of protein required by your body varies from person to person. According to "Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function," an average healthy adult requires 0.4 g of protein per pound of body weight daily. Many high protein diets, on the other hand, recommend that you consume up to 60 percent of your daily energy from protein. This normally translates to 80 to 100 g of protein per day, depending on your size and total calorie intake.

Protein Types

Protein comes in many forms. However, most high-protein diets recommend animal proteins, a high-quality protein that has all the essential amino acids required by your body to function properly. Other sources of protein include vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds and nuts. Protein diets typically do not recommend using these alternative sources of protein for protein content. High-protein diets do, however, typically recommend consuming eggs, dairy products and protein supplement drinks as meal replacement options.

Ketosis

According to "Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function," ketosis is a risk commonly associated with high-protein diets in which your body does not obtain enough glucose, causing your body to release organic compounds called ketones as it uses stored fat for energy instead of carbs. The acidic nature of ketones can lead to health complications if levels in the blood get too high, including a weakened immune system, kidney disease and problems with your bone integrity.

Cardiovascular Health

High-protein diets can also pose long-term complications to your cardiovascular health. High-protein diets typically require you to consume large amounts of saturated fats, which can lead to increased cholesterol levels and put you at risk of developing heart disease. If you do choose to consume a high-protein diet, you should modify the diet to consume primarily good lean proteins, such as nuts and soy, and low-fat dairy products.