The Benefits Of A High Protein Low Carb Diet

The Atkins diet has been around for a long time and it was previously considered the best way to lose weight. But after many people used it as a quick fix to drop weight quickly and having a high fat content it was considered very dangerous. But in recent studies it has become clear that a low carbohydrate diet actually should be a high protein diet (so they are the same thing) which has many benefits.

On average a regular person should have about 50-60% carbs, 30-35% protein and 15-20% fats but when undertaking a low carb-high protein diet that should shift to 50% protein 30-35% carbs and 15-20% fats. When lowering your amount of a macronutrient it should never be to 0 as you need some of all the macronutrients and carbs are essential for energy and brain function. Simply lowering the amount you have shifts your body to burn other fuels and your body must be never be starved of something it needs for life-sustaining functions.

There are many benefits that can be seen with this type of diet when combined with exercise. Be careful and check with your doctor if you are unsure whether this type of diet will work for you.  

Increased calorie burn

One of the main benefits to a high protein diet is the fact that it actually increases your metabolism. Protein itself takes a lot longer to digest and therefore ramps up the digestive system burning more calories and this will help you to lose weight quicker. Also with the lower intake of carbohydrate the body has to choose to break down protein for energy so it has no choice but to increase the metabolism to get the needed nutrients.

Increased muscle mass

Protein contains amino acids which are the building blocks of life and thus are essential for building muscle. High protein diets are commonly associated with body builders and many women in particular are fearful that this type of diet may make them too muscly. But in actual fact it takes a lot for women to develop excessive muscle tissue. A great benefit for women trying to lose weight is that the more muscle you have the more calories you burn, so eating extra protein will increase the bodies ability to build new muscle and therefore further increasing the amount of calories burnt when exercising.

See Also: Bulk Up: 10 Foods That Will Help You Gain Clean Muscle

Decreased recovery time

As I said protein contains the building blocks and is essential for recovery after exercise. Simply increasing your protein intake in particular after a workout or exercise session will actually decrease the time it takes to recover allowing you to exercise more often and with a higher intensity.

A good quality shake will have a reasonably low level of carbohydrates to help recovery further.