Who Should Stay Away From High Protein Diets?

If you have digestive issues or constipation, then this diet is probably not for you. If you were pear shaped with a relatively flat stomach, you would benefit more from a balanced diet and might not get the results you desire on a high protein diet. Any history or family history of high cholesterol or heart disease might be a reason to deter from such a diet. Any prior history of liver or kidney problems would also be a reason to stay away.

The Downsides Of High Protein Diets

It might seem like a revelation, but diets like this can be very hard to maintain, and the longer-term side effects can be quite off putting to say the least.

Here are some of the side effects associated with long-term carbohydrate restriction:

Bad breath

Ketones produce a pretty bad odor that stays on the breath. Not always attractive.

You get constipated

In order to induce ketosis, even fruits are restricted in the diet. Lowering of the carb content of the diet also means a lower fiber intake and less bulk in the system.

If you are already someone who suffers with slow bowel movements, expect protein fermentation, constipation and gas.

Carbohydrate intolerance

If you restrict carbs for long enough, you eventually become quite intolerant to them when you do start eating them again. It is extremely difficult to never eat a pasta or piece of bread again, but when you do, you could expect rapid weight gain. Carbohydrate re-introduction needs to be done very slowly and carefully after being on total restriction.

Increased heart disease risk

While proponents of high protein diets deny that there is a link between such diets and increased heart disease risk, most of the medical fraternity are still set on the science that reduced intakes of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, and increases in unsaturated fats were associated with reductions in serum cholesterol and overall cardiovascular disease risk. 

Hormone and pesticide exposure

Not everyone has the luxury of being able to purchase organic meats. Depending on where you live or where you choose to buy your animal proteins from, there is always some risk associated with eating animals. Exposure of animals to hormones and other growth stimulants as well as the use of pesticide-laden genetically modified animal feeds can create all sorts of health problems.

Environmental damage

The meat industry is responsible for a huge percentage of global carbon emissions and a more plant-based diet can help reduce our carbon footprint significantly.

See Also: Protein Intake Should Vary With Age

Kidney problems

Eating a low carb diet often means that we over-compensate on protein. By-products of protein metabolism are processed by the kidneys and over time the large protein molecules can start to damage the kidneys. The first sign in protein in the urine and then higher levels of urea and creatine. The problem is that kidney damage is silent and virtually symptom free until its too late. 

The low down? Choose a diet that is right for your body type and goals. If you are going to follow a restrictive diet, it is often better to do so intermittently, so as to reduce the associated risks.