harmful effects of high-protein diets?

bergren · Nov 23, 2003

I typed "atkins diet research" into www.google.com and several articles in the last few days popped.

Go to: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/

for medical publications and do the same thing. And then do same with "low carbohydrate diet "

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2003

I have read extensivley about high protein diets. What I have found is that as long as anyone on such a diet has normal kidney funtion, there are no adverse effects. Problems arise when people who have chronic renal insuffiency but do not know it eat high protein diets, their already poorly functioning kidneys can fail.

Anagray, BSN · Nov 24, 2003

From what I have read, the adverse sideffects of high protein diet could be ketosis, but I guess you really have to "od" on the protein to get there.

My personal concern with high-protein diet is that natural carbohydrates ( veggies and certain whole grains) contain important vitamines. Of course, you could supplement, but IMO there is really nothing better than receiving vitamines through the natural sourse, instead of in a pill.

Another issue is that if someone eats a lot of meat, there has to be adequate intake of vegetables containing antioxidants. Diets high in meat have been linked to certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer.

My friend is on so called South beach ( i think) diet and he hardly eats any fruit because it contains sugar.

I lost 95 lb on low carb/high protein diet, but after i learned a bit about metabolism and anatomy, I came to conclusion that cutting out any major food group out of diet is not a good idea, because it is re-structures one's metabolism.

sorry i can't provide any links, but hopefully this will give you some ideas about other info u can find.

deanofharvard · Jan 28, 2004

I've researched the Atkins diet extensively for a layman, and haven't been able to find anything that difinitively says that the Atkins diet is harmful to those who follow it. I have found many "Opinions" that it's too extreme, or that "It can't be healthy", but no evidence that it is. To my understanding, in general leafy green vegetables have much more vitamin content than starchy vegetables or fruits. The Atkins diet allows an almost unlimited amount of green vegetables. Even apples, strawberries and blueberries are allowed, in strictly monitored doses.

In the Atkins diet fat is converted into Ketones. This is a different energy cycle that doesn't use Glucose as fuel. Ketosis is NOT starvation mode. In starvation mode your body feeds on itself, taking protein from muscles, converting that into glucose in order to meet the bodies energy demands. Since your body has plenty of food coming in, it has no need to go into starvation mode. Once your body is settled into Ketosis, your ability to ingest carbs without stopping Ketosis increases.

If anyone does find proof that the Atkins diet is bad, please e-mail me. I'd appreciate it.

F~

smk1, LPN · Jan 29, 2004

start by knowing what the atkins diet truly "is" its probably not what you think. its not the person that says they are on atkins and slathers everything in butter and mayonaise at every meal and eats no veggies. atkins advocates lots of veggies (just not starchy kinds such as potatoes or corn ) there are also "phases" to atkins meaning the first 2 weeks the induction phase is the most restrictive you eat fresh meats and 3 cups a veggies a day during this 2 week period also the plan advocates at least 64 oz water a day no more that 3-4 oz cheese a day and no sugar or sugar derivatives. you can go to http://www.atkins.com for more info on the science behind the diet and the actual plan or read the book for a more in depth analysis.

Kiwi, BSN, RN · May 2, 2004

visit http://www.PCRM.org

There is a link to many scientific-based studies on the ill effects of such fad diets. GO VEG!

Jrnalist2RNinOR · May 2, 2004

I think problems arise when people think that Atkins means "all you can eat meat", when in fact that really is not the philosophy behind Atkins - I recall in his book he said to shop "on the outside" of the grocery store - where the fresh "non-processed" foods were (which really does make sense)

However, I believe that if you do Atkins (or any diet) you still must eat in moderation

There was an article on Yahoo about a couple that got kicked out of a buffet (which apparently was not an AYCE) after they went up for their twelfth helping

They were upset because they were on Atkins and could not eat the other selections in the buffet - well, realistically I dont think that eating twelve portions of roast beef is helping them lose weight either....

I think Atkins was on the right track with cutting down carbs in the diet and cutting down processed foods, but I think that he needed to focus more on HEALTHY protein and stress moderation and when reintroducing carbs focus on whole grains...

(No, I am not doing Atkins)

majork · May 5, 2004

I'll see what sites I can find for you. Here's a related site: themeatrix.com

I do know that high protein does not have to mean high meat protein. There are plenty of wonderful plant foods full of protein, plus fiber, calcium & other minerals, thousands of phytochemicals (plant nutrients) all working together synergistically to reduce the risk of disease. Plant foods individually are not complete protein sources but eat a variety of them and then all the bases are covered. I'm not a vegetarian but I know it's a fact western civilizations eat far too much meat and this has contributed to an epidemic of many chronic degenerative diseases. Meat processing is a nightmare. Read books like "Mad Cowboy", "Diet For A New America" and "Fast Food Nation". The amount of growth hormones, antibiotics, steroids and all sorts of other stuff used in meat production is rude.

If people would eat more complex carbs like fruits, veggies and whole grains, less meat and a lot less simple carbs like white breads and sugary snacks & deserts, that could go a long way towards reducing the pathetic disease picture in North America. Over 1,500 American's die everyday from cancer; much of it is preventable. That's about equal to 9-11 happening every second day, every year!

Because it's tough to eat healthy everyday, my healthcare professional friends recommend I take a whole food nutraceutical consisting of 8 vegetabels, 7 fruits, and 2 grains. It comes in 4 daily capsules. I know many of it's research studies have been published in professional medical journals, so I take it everyday.....kinda like putting on my nutritional seatbelt.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 5, 2004

I think problems arise when people think that Atkins means "all you can eat meat", when in fact that really is not the philosophy behind Atkins - I recall in his book he said to shop "on the outside" of the grocery store - where the fresh "non-processed" foods were (which really does make sense)
However, I believe that if you do Atkins (or any diet) you still must eat in moderation
There was an article on Yahoo about a couple that got kicked out of a buffet (which apparently was not an AYCE) after they went up for their twelfth helping
They were upset because they were on Atkins and could not eat the other selections in the buffet - well, realistically I dont think that eating twelve portions of roast beef is helping them lose weight either....
I think Atkins was on the right track with cutting down carbs in the diet and cutting down processed foods, but I think that he needed to focus more on HEALTHY protein and stress moderation and when reintroducing carbs focus on whole grains...
(No, I am not doing Atkins)

Excellent point, although we're off topic. I've seen too many Adkins dieters stuff their face with pork rinds, cheese, fatty meats and low carb ice cream thinking they are being healthy because there are no carbs.

On topic. Long term studies are underway and unfortunately we probably won't know what they are going to say. I've read a lot about diets as well. What they are finding to the dismay of a lot of people that that the very obese seem to do well on this diet, loosing weight, having good lab values.

I'd be interested in the long-term effects myself.

Good luck in your research.

allnurses Guide · May 5, 2004

I'm in agreement with most of the other folks here. No short-term negative effects have been found and long-term studies are in progress. Of course Atkins has been a proponent of this diet for over 30 years and his own studies show no adverse effects. However, an independant long-term study would be better.

It just makes sense to me that we eat too many carbs and the wrong kinds of carbs. Of course it is the carbs which make us feel better . . . . right Tweety (ice cream). :)

I'm back on Atkins, doing the induction. There's the rub with any diet . . . .if you go crazy after dieting you gain back your weight.

steph

nurse_robin · May 5, 2004

Not sure, But I've been on and off the Atkins for a while now and the last 2 times I have attempted it, I developed kidney stones within a month or so....

didn't catch it last time, but this time it made me wonder if the diet could be part of the problem (maybe not actually developing the stones, but making them grow larger) Who knows....anyhow, I have to change my eating habits to prevent future formation and growth of stones.