High Protein Low Carb Diet
Many people hear about a high protein low carb diet and are unsure as to what it entails. Towards the end of the 1800’s, an English undertaker who was overweight discovered that giving up things such as beer, sugar, milk, and other things of the sort helped him to lose weight. Irwin Stillmen was the next to come out with such information in a book, but it was not popular. Others followed as well, but did not enjoy the success like Robert Atkins, who continues to have success today. Many people are familiar with the name of the Atkins diet.
Eating a high protein low carb diet is an effective way to lose weight. When using a diet of this kind, it’s recommended that thirty to 50 percent of the calories that you eat come from protein. Generally, this is not a recommendation from places such as the American Heart Association and others of the like, since they believe a diet should consist of a lot less protein.
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How a high protein low carb diet works
The Atkins diet is one of many examples of the low carb diets that exist today. The way that these diets work is that you significantly reduce the amount of carbs that you consume in your diet. When you do this you are forcing your body to metabolize the fat on your body for energy.
The process is called ketosis and relates to the metabolic state that your body reverts to. Generally, the body is used to consuming the carbs you eat for the energy needed for many of your organs. When you force your body into a ketosis state, then you are making the body dip into the reserves called ketones.
The body accomplishes this by breaking down the stored fat that is within the body. As a result you eat less than usual and feel less hungry. This happens in relation to the modification of your body from burning carbs to burning fat. As the body processes the fat storage, there is less areas with excess fat, since it is the primary source of energy, therefore allowing you to lose weight.
Risks Associated
Participating in a high protein low carb diet can however cause health problems for some. When a person eats too many things with protein there is the chance for kidney failure. Diets that consist of high fat can cause high cholesterol as well, which is linked to cancer, stroke, and heart disease. A person can also increase their risk for developing kidney stones and osteoporosis, since the body rids of more calcium through the urine. Ketosis can cause organ failure by the production of ketones. Eating at least 100 grams of carbohydrates each day can prevent this risk.
With this kind of diet, you are limited to the amount of vegetables and fruits that you can eat, which are important to your diet. If you decide to do something like this, make sure that you do not do it over a long period. This kind of diet does not provide nutrients that are needed by the body, therefore making it something that you only do for a short time, while under the supervision of your physician.