High-protein diets may backfire in the long run

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/high-protein-diet-may-backfire-in-the-long-run/

By Steven ReinbergHealthDayMay 11, 2015

A high-protein diet may backfire for people at risk for heart disease -- increasing the likelihood of weight gain and early death, a new study suggests.

Replacing carbohydrates and fats with protein is touted as a quick way to weight loss. But this long-term Spanish study of older adults found these high-protein diets -- think Atkins and South Beach, for example -- may be harmful.

When protein replaced carbohydrates, for instance, the eating plan was linked to a 90 percent greater risk of gaining more than 10 percent of body weight. It was also linked to a 59 percent higher risk of death from any cause, the researchers found.

When protein replaced fat, risk of death rose 66 percent, the researchers said.

"These results do not support the generalized use of high-protein diets as a good strategy for losing weight," said lead researcher Monica Bullo, of Pere Virgili Health Research Institute in Reus.

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Bullo isn't sure why high-protein diets may promote weight gain. But their connection to early death is a little clearer, she said, noting that high protein intake is related to kidney disease, changes in sugar and insulin metabolism, and changes in blood fat.

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Some studies have found that consuming a high-protein diet in middle age is associated with greater risk of early death, compared with a diet lower in protein, he said.

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But diets rich in animal protein have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes, Heller said.

"Research suggests that the connections between a high intake of animal foods and health may be related to how the meats are processed, how we cook them and how our bodies use them," she said.

Consuming these high-protein diets also means eating fewer healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, Heller said.

"Overall, the research is pretty clear that more plant-based diets offer a wide array of health benefits, including lower risks of many chronic diseases, better weight management and healthier hearts and brains," she said.

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