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Frustrated about current dieting advice from medical professionals and the like--an updateFrom: J.W.J. (anonymous@obgyn.net)Mon, 23 Dec 2002 12:12:07 -0600 (CST)
I thought you all would be interested in the reply to my letter I received from ediets.com. This only serves to add to my confusion to what is right for me: Hi Jessica, We do understand there are many who struggle with there weight, for many reasons. We know that weight loss is not a one size fits all, for all of our members. There is a lot of one on one with the members discussing their activity and eating habits. The reason we do not advocate the high protein, low carbohydrate diet is because of the long term effects of the diet. The latest research on protein in the diet shows that high protein causes calcium loss in the bones. This is only one of the many reasons why we should stick with the recommendations of no more than 20-25% of calories from our diet from protein. Excess protein only causes the liver and kidneys to work harder...and years of this could cause more serious effects on your overall health. Why risk it? Start thinking about your health in the long term and make better choices and portion control your main goal; the weight will come off with them. The AHA notes that high protein diets can "compromise vitamin and mineral intake and cause heart, liver and kidney abnormalities", and the initial weight loss that's usually rapid with the high protein diet is due mostly to a temporary fluid loss related to eating too much protein and too little carbohydrate. The Atkins Diet is a severe restriction of carbohydrate foods. Research shows that ultimately this makes the diet a low calorie diet! Because most of the calories come from animal protein, the body goes into a state of "ketosis", which is characterized by excessive fluid loss and "fruity breath", and a lowering of appetite. The fluid loss is manifested as "weight loss" on the scale, but it is not "true" weight loss. High fat diets are associated with an increased risk for heart disease. For overweight people with medical problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and diabetes, this diet may actually increase your risk for complications! Nausea from ketosis, dehydration, loss of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium from excessive fluid loss...calcium depletion from too much protein and weakness from not enough carbohydrate foods...these complications are all too common with low carbohydrate, high protein diets. Too much saturated fat is not recommended. By excluding complex carbohydrate, grains and fruit, you're excluding some of the most valuable foods...foods that are extra-rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and fiber! Gout, a condition associated with high protein, high fat diets, is at increased risk. People with high triglycerides and high cholesterol should not ever consider this an option! Phytochemicals, minute chemical substances found in foods, cannot be obtained in pills. Soluble and insoluble fiber, only found in complex carbohydrate, fills you up, not out! Avoid high-protein diets, and follow a balanced meal plan for your health and eating enjoyment. Regarding your calories, one of the main ways to "speed up your metabolism" is to eat smaller more frequent meals by taking something from every meal and eating it 2-3 hours later...........one of the easiest ways to "slow down the metabolism" is by either eating too few calories to maintain your current basal metabolic rate (BMR), or eating just once or twice a day. Let me explain, the basal metabolic rate is the rate at which your metabolic activities burn calories. Metabolic activities maintain the body temperature and keep the lungs inhaling and exhaling air, the bone marrow making new red blood cells, the heart beating 100,000 times a day, the kidneys filtering wastes, in short, they support all basic processes of life. At least 2/3 of the energy the average person spends in a day supports these metabolic activities. That being said, if your body does not receive enough calories to function normally (to maintain its BMR at least), it slows your metabolism to conserve the little energy (calories) it is receiving. This makes weight loss very difficult, and any weight loss that occurs is usually water and lean body mass. We do not want you to lose lean body mass. Lean body mass is what increases your body's ability to burn more calories. So, sometimes more is better, and the more you weigh, the more you need to sustain your metabolic activities. Happy Holidays! Sincerely, Jerri, DTR nutritionsupport@ediets.com
-- J.W.J.
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