Protein and Weight Loss - Is there any Relation in these

Now it has become a trend that we all are trying to switch on to low carb diet. It occurs

mainly due to the fact that high protein diet actually enhances weight loss. A recent

British study confirmed that there is a strong correlation between diet high in protein and

weight loss. The study also said that the diet high in protein triggers in releasing hormone

that influences weight loss.

Protein consumption in diet ensures the release of PYY hormone that reduces the hunger.

Researchers argued that high protein foods start out PYY secretion better than other foods.

Scientific studies also suggest that PYY should be an integral part of weight reduction

plan. Theoretically, as because a proportionate relation exists between protein and weight

loss, therefore an obese individual must eat more calories to trigger PYY compared to a

normal weight individual.

Typically, we avoid high calorie food to maintain healthy balance in life. But the truth is

if we do not get enough protein in our diet, we may suffer from varieties of health

complications. Lack of protein in our regular diet may cause harm to all the organs - from

the heart to kidney. It also causes weaker immune system; hence our health may be affected

by a variety of diseases.

The amount of protein in the diet depends essentially on three factors - sex, age and

weight. However, for normal adult man and normal adult woman the daily protein intake would

be 56 grams per day and 46 grams per day respectively.

About Weight Loss

In recent years, there are few high-protein diet programs available in the market claiming

for weight loss. However, supports received from the diet gurus and health practitioners are

generally inclined with the low calorie diet rather the high-protein ones.

However, the relation between protein and weigh loss is not appreciated by each and every

research fellow. It is said that low carb diets are mainly linked up with reduced calorie

intake and increased diet timing but not with decreased carbohydrate content.

The essential feature of low-carb high-protein diet is rapid weight loss. But it is viewed

from a different perspective by the skeptics. They rejected the theory about the relation

between the diet high in protein and weight loss and argued that it occurs mainly due to the

fact of excessive urination. When the body makes up inadequate supply of dietary

carbohydrates, it uses body's own carbohydrates stored in the liver and kidney. During this

process, the water is mobilized. The mobilized water is then discharged from the body in the

form of urine. Hence the rapid weight loss occurs at the initial stages high-protein diet.

Substituting few dietary carbohydrates with high-protein diet may lead to significant short

term weight loss benefits. But the condition says that the diet must be low-fat one as well.

Protein and weight loss may become a trendy topic in these days because of its known results

contributing to rapid weight loss. But some scientific researches have shown some long term

disadvantages as well. Therefore, a slow but certain weight loss can be ensured with a

healthy high fiber, moderate protein and low fat plan. This is not a short term plan but a

way of healthy living that we can maintain throughout of our lives.

Disadvantages of too much protein

Although, the relation between diet rich in protein and weight loss has become a

up-to-the-minute topic in today's health discussion, but we should remember that high

protein may imply high fat as well. So there is always a high risk for increasing LDL

cholesterol and total cholesterol levels with high protein intake. Hence, there is high

possibility for cardiac problems. High protein may imply low fiber as well. Low fiber diet

is not at all healthy. If we use it on a regular basis, there is an increased possibility of

getting constipated, increased risk of cancer, obesity, cardiac problem and type-2 diabetes.

by: Dr John Anne