All you hear about today is how good protein is for you. It is
advertised as the best way to build muscle and more than that it
helps one lose weight. Hey, if a little protein is good for you
then a lot is even better, right? WRONG! That statement couldn’t
be further from the truth.
Diet gurus pushing high protein low carb diets are promising
quick weight loss. This type of diet has become the most popular
diet of today. Anyone promising quick weight loss along with
greater muscle gains is sure to attract a lot of people but are
they exposing the whole picture? Most of the high protein diets
have people restrict their calories at the beginning of the diet
and that is why there is weight loss. It doesn’t come from
eating more protein. So what is the problem if you reduce your
weight by cutting calories and eat a lot of protein?
Well, there are many health concerns when eating too much
protein. The American Medical Association calls high protein
diets, “Potentially hazardous, and full of theories that are at
best half truths.” There are reported adverse side effects such
as calcium loss, undesirable lipoprotein levels and decreased
immune function. Due to carbohydrate restrictions, this causes
elevated levels of acetoacetate, which is linked to increased
risk factors for cardiovascular disease. When there is a
restriction of calories in the amount that most of these high
protein diets recommend this can cause a low immune system
response. When you restrict your calories this causes inadequate
levels of vitamins and minerals.
The typical American diet today provides more then enough
protein. The minimum amount of protein needed to fulfill protein
needs is equal to 0.8 grams of protein per kg body weight per
day. If you weigh 150 lbs., you divide your weight by 2.2 then
times it by .8 and the amount of protein needed is 54.5 grams a
day. If you do a lot of aerobic exercising you should up it to
1-1.2 grams per kg of body weight. To build muscle you only need
very small amounts of protein so the recommended RDA is enough to
help build muscle.
You can get protein from animals, plants or vegetables. You will
benefit more from getting your protein from meat that includes
poultry and fish and to avoid red meats and dairy products.
Individual plant proteins and grains don’t contain all the
essential amino acids, as does animal protein. However if you
eat a variety of plant foods, cereals, nuts, seeds, grains and
legumes in combination, then you will get the essential amino
acids needed by the body in a much healthier way then getting
your protein from animal sources. Animal sources may contain the
essential amino acids but also are very high in fat.
In closing, protein is needed by the body but in small amounts
and Americans are getting more then enough in their diets so you
shouldn’t eat a diet high in protein or take protein supplements.
Copyright © 2005 Joel Kaye, MA Creator of The Right Brain Diet
http://www.rightbraindiet.com/
This article is based on the book, “The Right Brain Diet”
by Joel Kaye, MA. Joel holds a Masters Degree in
Physical Health Education and is currently teaching
classes at New York University’s Coles Sports Center
On Weight Management, Nutrition And Exercise And
Cancer Wellness. Learn more by visiting his website:
http://www.rightbraindiet.com
For more information on heart fluttering you can check out
http://www.cancer-resource-center.com/