A low carbohydrate/high protein diet restricts your intake of carbohydrates while increasing the amount of protein and fat you consume. According to the Mayo Clinic, carbohydrates raise blood levels of sugar, which in turn stimulate the production of insulin. When insulin forces blood sugar into the cells, it stops the body from breaking down fat. This process is thought to prevent you from burning excess fat and losing weight. High protein diets are based on the theory that if carbohydrates are drastically restricted, weight loss is more likely to occur.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic notes that any of several low-carb diets can be chosen. The types and amount of carbohydrates and proteins vary depending on the specific diet plan. In general, low-carb diets limit your consumption of rice, breads, grains, starchy vegetables and fruits. They focus instead on meat, fish, poultry, non-starchy vegetables and dairy products.
Effects
According to iVillage.com, a low carb/high protein diet can play havoc with water weight. A drop in your intake of carbohydrates can result in a loss of water weight as your body reacts to the new diet by burning glycogen. Because glycogen contains a lot of water, this will cause frequent urination.
Because low-carb diets are higher in fat and protein, you may feel fuller for a longer period and be less liable to snack between meals. Finally, a low-carb diet may depress your appetite for reasons that are not fully understood.
Benefits
A low-carb diet may offer some health benefits. The Mayo Clinic says reducing your carbohydrates may help lower blood cholesterol levels. However, the potential positive health effects will depend on the foods you eat. For example, while foods high in saturated fats may be low in carbohydrates, they will clearly not help reduce cholesterol.
Precautions
Low carb/high protein diets can restrict carbohydrates to the point that it becomes unhealthy. According to IVillage.com, eliminating bread and cereal can drastically reduce fiber in your diet. The Mayo Clinic says dietary fiber can help prevent constipation and reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Safety
The long-term health effects of low-carb diets remain unknown. The Mayo Clinic says no long term studies have been done to find out if these diets are linked to any health risks such as cancer, heart disease and bone or kidney problems.
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