High Protein Diet: Limitations, Health Risks, and Recommendations

This report examines the limitations of high protein diets, particularly for weight loss. It highlights potential drawbacks such as nutritional deficiencies, including constipation and headaches, and increased vulnerability to heart diseases due to imbalanced intake of dairy products or red meat. The report emphasizes the importance of balanced diets, recommending the inclusion of soy protein, fish, low-fat dairy products, nuts, and lean beef. It also addresses the risks for individuals with kidney issues and the potential for increased LDL cholesterol and ketosis. Moreover, the report underscores the need for caution and consultation before adopting high-protein diets and discusses the adverse effects of excessive fat content in animal protein, such as the potential for cancer or diabetes. The report concludes by stressing the significance of calorie and nutrient balance for long-term health and effective weight management.

HIGH PROTEIN DIET

TABLE OF CONTENTS
4. Limitations of high protein diet ..................................................................................................1
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................2

4. Limitations of high protein diet
For the people suffering with obesity the high protein diet is recommended for long
period. However, it has been observed that this approach has several limitations. The constant
intake of this type of diet often restrict the carbohydrate intake. It can result in nutritional
deficiencies leading to constipation, headache and other adverse implications. The high protein
diet may include improper balance of dairy products or red meat. It can make obese people more
vulnerable to heart diseases [2]. Thus, effective choices such as soy protein, fish, dairy products
with low fat, nuts and lean beef must be included in the diet so that protein diet does not cause
any adverse impact on the health.
The people who are suffering from kidney issues must take extra precautions. The
excessive protein in their diet can worsen their kidney functioning because it may be difficult for
the kidney to eliminate wast products generated during protein metabolism. Most of the protein
diet minimize the carbohydrates which in turn removes nutrient rich fibres as well. Initially the
protein diet gives significant results in terms of weight loss. However, the extended intake of this
type of diet increases the level of LDL cholesterol [1]. It is considered as harmful for the body.
When the carbohydrates are less in body then the insufficient energy in the body can also cause
ketosis state and irritability.
Thus, the high protein diet must be followed only after consultation and precautions so
that it does not result in unhealthy and harmful saturated fat. With the vital impact on the
performance of kidney rich protein food in greater proportion in diet also cause unfavourable
profile of blood lipid. It encourages the cardiac risk factors. The health nutritionists are now
focusing on balancing calorie intake instead of living only with protein based diet as effective
and healthy way for shedding excessive weight. The excessive fat content in animal protein can
also lead to growth of harmful tissues in the body which can cause life threatening diseases such
as cancer or diabetes. Thus, it is recommended that there must be a proper balance between
carbohydrates as well as proteins [1]. The mere focus on protein diet may give satisfactory
weight results initially but for the long term proper balancing of calories and nutritions is
essential.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
1. Antonio J, Ellerbroek A, Silver T, Vargas L, Peacock C. The effects of a high protein diet
on indices of health and body composition–a crossover trial in resistance-trained men.
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2016 Dec;13(1):3.
2. Helms ER, Zinn C, Rowlands DS, Naidoo R, Cronin J. High-protein, low-fat, short-term
diet results in less stress and fatigue than moderate-protein, moderate-fat diet during
weight loss in male weightlifters: A pilot study. International journal of sport nutrition
and exercise metabolism. 2015 Apr;25(2):163-70.
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