What are the pros and cons to a high protein
diet? Why would someone want to use protein other than weight
loss?
High protein diets, such
as Protein Power and Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, are "ketogenic"
diets. The principle behind these diets involves ketosis -
which occurs when little (< 60 grams) of carbohydrate is
eaten daily. These diets claim that by reducing carbohydrates
in the diet your body can turn to fat as its fuel source.
These types of diets restrict calories severely (sometimes
offering only 850 calories/day) Most of the initial weight
loss is water loss not fat loss; therefore the weight is easily
regained when the dieter strays from the strict program. This
water loss is caused in part by the usage of stored muscle
and liver glycogen (a storage form of carbohydrate in your
body). This stored muscle and liver glycogen is used up in
a few days because the diet does not provide enough carbohydrates
to fuel the body. Water is stored with glycogen and when the
glycogen is transformed into glucose for fuel the body sheds
the water.
Ketosis is an unnatural state for your body
and it can cause mild to serious side effects such as dehydration,
electrolyte loss, calcium depletion, weakness, nausea, gout
and possibly kidney problems. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
are also a problem. The bottom line - these types of diets
are extremely unhealthy!
How can we separate out the good diet books
from all the others? The next time you read a diet book or
hear nutrition news, ask yourself these 5 questions:
1. Are there any promises made for a rapid weight
loss (burn fat and lose 10 pounds a week)?
2. Does the claim sound to good to be true?
3. Do you have to buy any special food products or supplements?
4. Is the diet based on success stories and testimonials rather
than science?
5. Does the advice contradict Canada’s Guidelines to
Healthy Eating?
