Cooper Clinic Position Statement on High-Protein Diets

• It is inadequate in major nutrients (i.e. carbohydrates and fiber) as well as micronutrients (i.e. many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals).
• It is imbalanced - The U.S. Dietary Guidelines, the Surgeon General, the American Heart Association, American Dietetic Association, American Cancer Society and The American College of Sports Medicine recommend a diet comprised of 10-15 percent protein, 55-60 percent carbohydrates, 20-30 percent fat and 20-35 grams of dietary fiber.
• It promotes water (not fat) loss - It gives one a false sense of weight loss due to an immediate loss of body fluid. May also cause excessive potassium loss, electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Rarely is weight loss permanent.
• It may cause ketosis - High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets result in the formation of ketones (vs. glucose) as a source of fuel. Ketones are formed and released into the bloodstream resulting in ketosis (a fasting type state). Ketosis suppresses appetite, may cause muscle breakdown, causes nausea, dehydration, headaches, light headedness, irritability, bad breath and potential kidney problems. In pregnancy, ketosis may cause fetal abnormalities and/or death.
• It is often low in fiber - causing constipation and possibly increasing one's risk for colon cancer.
• It often contains higher than recommended amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat - increasing one's risk of heart disease and cancer. Excessive red meat consumption has been linked to colon and prostate cancer.
• It may raise uric acid levels - increasing one's risk of gout.
• It may raise BUN and creatine levels - a sign of impaired kidney function.
• Excessive protein may leach calcium from the bones - increasing one's risk of osteoporosis.
• No controlled studies prove its safety and/or effectiveness - unlike the dietary recommendations made by the AHA, ADA, etc.

SUMMARY: Calories are the bottom line for losing weight. Healthy, varied, balanced meals at a reduced calorie level are the most effective means of losing weight - permanently and healthfully.