|
The high protein low carbohydrate diet relies on the person receiving
30% to 50% of their total calorie intake per day from protein; one of
the most famous diets to follow this principle is the Atkins diet.
The principle behind the high protein, low carbohydrate diet
When carbohydrates are drastically restricted in this type of diet, the
body goes into a metabolic state which is known as ketosis, this means
that the body will attack its own fat source for fuel. Energy generated
in this way is from ketones which are carbon fragments generated from
the breakdown of fat stores.
When the body is in a state of ketosis, you are far less likely to eat
as much as you usually would. The state of ketosis however has been linked
to problems with the health such as kidney failure, heart disease and
osteoporosis, when in the state of ketosis the body will act as a fat
burning engine instead of a carbohydrate one.
The fat stores which are more commonly found on the hips, thighs and stomach
will be consumed for energy as the primary source, with the result being
weight loss. However, there can be a price to pay for weight loss in this
manner with common problems affecting the health being:
* Kidney failure - by consuming too much protein you can put a strain
on your kidneys which can then make you more susceptible to kidney disease.
* High cholesterol - diets which are high in protein normally consist
of a lot of red meat, whole dairy products and foods of a similar high
fat content and which are typically linked with high cholesterol. Recent
studies have shown that high cholesterol levels are linked to an increase
in the risk of developing heart disease, cancer and stroke.
* Kidney stones and osteoporosis - those who have a lot of protein in
their diets have been shown to excrete more calcium than others in their
urine, if this happens over a long period of time then the risk of developing
kidney stones increases, as does the risk of osteoporosis.
* Cancer - by avoiding foods that contain high carbohydrates very often
vitamins, minerals, fibre and anti-oxidants are also left out of the diet,
therefore it is extremely important that you get protein from whole grains,
fruit and vegetables. By doing so you help to reduce the risk of developing
cancer.
* Unhealthy metabolic state - a diet very low in carbohydrates can cause
your body to go into a dangerous state of ketosis, when this happens the
risk of gout, kidney stones and kidney failure is raised. Severe ketosis
can be prevented by eating at least 100 grams of carbohydrates per day.
|
 
|
