Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center

High-Protein Diets: Do They Help or Hurt?

IN HEART HEALTH

You may know that coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. And you may even know that lifestyle choices (like change in diet and weight) can prevent, delay, and even combat the dangerous effects of this deadly disease. But what about diets that promise to help you shed pounds with speed? According to the American Heart Association, they may do more harm than good. While they have no guarantees for permanent weight loss, the recent trend toward high-protein diets including the
  • Atkins
  • Zone
  • Protein Power
  • Sugar Busters
  • Stillman
diets have been proven to have serious negative consequences. Because they often restrict nutritious foods such as vegetables and grains and replace them with high-fat meats, these high-protein diets are unhealthy even for a time and can be downright dangerous when practiced long term. Often containing large quantities of animal products, the high amounts of saturated fat found in these foods have been linked to a variety of conditions ranging from coronary heart disease to stroke to some cancers. But if high-protein diets are too high in fat, how do they allow you to lose weight? Eliminating carbohydrates can cause a loss of fluid in the body that leads to weight loss. In addition, these diets can cause a condition known as ketosis, which causes reduced appetite and even nausea. Also, by including disproportionately low amounts of nutritionally sound foods like fruits and vegetables, these diets fail to provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutritional elements. A balanced diet has been shown to reduce blood pressure and should be high in complex carbohydrates including fruits, vegetables, non-fat dairy products, and whole grains. These foods contain high amounts of calcium, potassium and magnesium, all nutrients believed to reduce blood pressure. Experts agree that the best form of weight loss is the healthy way, even if it takes a little more time. Regular exercise and a nutritionally balanced diet are better for your body and better for maintaining your weight-loss goals.
Eat Smart for a Healthy Heart A nutritious and well-balanced diet is critical to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. To effectively manage your heart disease risk factors, use the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Heart Healthy Diet. The Heart Healthy Diet is great for your entire family, even small children. However, children under the age of 2 need more fat to provide enough calories for growth and development. The Heart Healthy Diet guidelines include the following:
  • 8 to 10 percent of total calories from saturated fat
  • 30 percent or less of the day’s total calories from fat
  • Less than 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol a day
  • Limit sodium intake to 2400 milligrams a day
  • Just enough calories to achieve or maintain a healthy weight and reduce your blood cholesterol level.
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For more information on heart health, visit the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center website.