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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are there any issues with a high protein diet?

    Related Topic
    Nutrition
    I am on a very low carb / low fat diet for several years and managed to maintain my target weight and I am happy with this.

    Just wondering if high protein diet may have health risks I am not aware of?

    My current diet includes lots of meats (avoiding red meat as much as possible) and lots of diary and vegetables.
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    Lisa Chen

    Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), Dietitian

    I am a member of DAA holding an accredited practicing dietitian (APD) and AN status.I am capable to provide individual consultation and group education to … View Profile

    High protein diet have been touted as teh best fat burners because: firstly, protein is harder to digest so it burns more energy and keeps you feel fuller for a longer time. Secondly, most of the people who follow the high protein diet also tend to eat little or no carbs, which force the body to use its stored glycogen and fat as energy souce, as well as release water.

    However, this can be harmful. In cutting out carbs, you are cutting out the brain's favourite fuel. It is just like a car without petrol. For people with diabetes, a no or low carb diet can increase risk of hypo, especially if you ar on medicaton and insulin. If body starts to use fat as energy source, keton is produced. Excessie ketone production can lead to comma and even death. Meanwhile, consuming more protein than you need can increase uric acid level in blood, which increases risk of gout. And too much protein can also increase cholesterol level, given that most of the high protein foods are also high in fat.

    There may be always a problem if you consume anything in excess. It is recommended to enjoy a wide variety of nutritous foods from the five main food groups: grains, fruits, vegtabls, meat/poultry/fish and dairy.  And as long as your total energ intake is balanced with your daily energy expenditure, you are able to maintain weight.

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    Joy Anderson

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Joy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist, as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has a special interest in … View Profile

    In addition to what Lisa wrote, there is a recent study from the US (from the journal Cell Metabolism) indicating that people eating meat-based, high-protein diets during middle age are 4 times more likely to die from cancer or diabetes, a rate equivalent to the increase risk of cancer from smoking. The detrimental effect disappeared for people over 65 years. The authors thought it was to do with a certain growth factor, that declines natually with advanced age.

    Certainly we need protein in the diet, but it seems everything in moderation, as Lisa described, is the best way to go for a healthy long life.

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    Kirsty Woods

    Exercise Physiologist

    Hi I’m Kirsty Woods,I would like to use my experience, expertise and passion to help you reach your weight, energy and health goalsI have been … View Profile

    You may find this article of interest.

    http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/fat-not-protein.html#.U36XiPmSyDs

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  • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    Writing as a non-clinical health professional, the link that Kirsty has provided fits with my professional understanding of biochemistry/metabolism/physiology.

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