Most people should receive about 20 percent of their calories from protein, according to diet.com. A high protein diet is one in which more than 20 percent of daily calories come from protein. High protein diets are most common with bodybuilders or other athletes who wish to gain muscle weight.
History
High protein diets go at least as far back as the 1960s. The Stillman Diet was one of the first to recommend a high protein, low fat diet for rapid weight loss. The Atkins diet was first published in 1972 and is one of the most popular high protein diets. Similar diets include Sugar Busters, Protein Power and the Zone.
Proteins
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. All proteins in humans can be made from approximately 20 amino acids. The human body can produce 11 of these amino acids; the remaining nine must be obtained from the diet and are therefore known as essential amino acids. Some plant sources of food such as beans contain some of the essential amino acids, but only animal sources of protein contain all of the essential amino acids.
Objective
The primary purpose of high protein diets is to promote fast, short-term weight loss. Bodybuilders routinely use a high protein diet to lose water weight before a competition. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet forces the body to use fats as an energy source instead of carbohydrates. This process produces water as a byproduct, which is excreted from the body in the form of urine.
Duration
The conversion of fat into energy also produces a class of compounds known as ketones as a byproduct. A high protein diet causes ketones to accumulate in the blood in a condition known as ketosis, which forces the kidneys to work harder and may eventually cause dangerous metabolic imbalances. Anyone considering a high protein diet should consult with a physician to determine the length of time she should follow it.
Benefits
A high protein diet is typically effective in losing weight rapidly. However, the dieter will tend to regain this weight as soon as the diet is discontinued. Because this diet can't be maintained indefinitely, it's generally ineffective in promoting long-term weight loss.
Member Comments