5 Biggest Risks of Low Calorie High Protein Diet

• Low calorie high protein diets can pose series health consequences, including vitamin deficiency
• High cholesterol and an increased risk of osteoporosis are also risks of consuming too many high protein diet foods
• Kidney stones and kidney failure due to ketosis are also serious risks of this approach to dieting

One of the most popular approaches to losing weight in the last few years has been the low calorie high protein diet. With this approach, one-third to one-half of all the calories you do consume should come from protein sources, such as meats and dairy foods. The idea is that by reducing carbohydrate intake you can begin to burn stored fat in your body instead of glucose for energy which results in weight loss. However there are dangers to consuming so much of the available high protein diet foods. Here are the five most serious.

5. High Cholesterol

If you’re eating a lot of high protein diet foods, there is a good chance you’re also consuming high levels of saturated fat. Red meat, cheese, milk and even eggs contain large quantities of fat and cholesterol. When that cholesterol builds up inside your arteries it could cause a blockage resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

4. Vitamin Deficiency

One of the major complaints nutritionists have about the low calorie high protein diet is that you do not usually receive all of the nutrients you need for good health. While meat and dairy products, as well as other protein sources, do have their own necessary vitamins and nutrients, you’ll be missing out on much of what you need if you cut out certain vegetables, fruits, and bread products.

3. Kidney Stones

Some of the newest research into these types of diets has found they literally change the chemistry of your urine. The levels of uric acid are sufficiently increased and uric acid is one of the leading causes of kidney stones. Kidney stones are just what they sound like solid stones that form inside the kidneys or the bladders. They cause intense pain and other problems until they are destroyed using laser surgery or passed naturally through urination.

2. Osteoporosis

As people, especially women, age their bones begin to lose their density. When this happens, hollow areas can form in the bones making them easier to break. This condition is known as osteoporosis and is one of the major health concerns for menopausal women. Most physicians recommend people take in high levels of calcium to help restore that bone density so one might think a weight loss approach which has diet snacks like cheese or yogurt might be a good way to fight off the disorder. Unfortunately, low carbohydrate or high protein diets increase the amount of calcium that leaves your body which means you’ll be at greater risk for developing osteoporosis.

1. Ketosis

This is a serious health condition brought about by a low calorie high protein diet. During ketosis, the body stops burning carbohydrates for energy and begins burning fat. However, when fat is used in this way, ketones are released into the body. These compounds actually cause your kidneys to work harder to remove them from your body which increases your risk of kidney failure and death. On the bright side, ketosis can be prevented by including a small amount of carbohydrates in your diet, usually around 100 grams.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.