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by Christine Jeffers

Low-carb, high-protein foods are everywhere. But is the protein diet healthy. No!

The American Heart Association has recently issued a warning concerning diets with a high intake of saturated fats. Protein diets also contradict a report from the World Cancer Research Fund entitled Food, Nutrition and Cancer.

The protein diet is unhealthy because the process of breaking down protein into energy, because of a lack of carbohydrates, is toxic to the body. When the body breaks down protein and uses it for fuel, ketones are a by-product. Ketones cause an acidic environment in the body known as acidosis. Acidosis causes headache, nausea and fatigue. A hangover is an example of acidosis. An alkaline environment is preferred for good health. Alkaline diets are often prescribed to individuals with a compromised immune system. An acidic environment requires the body to leach calcium from the bones to neutralize the acidic blood. The kidneys are also working twice as hard to neutralize acidic urine.

When the body breaks down complex carbohydrates to use a fuel it is not toxic to the body. In fact the body uses up 23 calories for every 100 carbs it digests as opposed to 3 calories for every 100 fat calories. A high protein low carbohydrate diet makes it easier for you to stay fat.

Most high protein diets claim carbohydrates cause excess weight but fail to mention there are carbohydrates that are harmful and carbohydrates that are healthy. Much of our excess weight comes from consuming highly processed simple carbohydrates such as white bread, pastries, soft drinks, crackers, chips, etc. These are the bad carbs. The good carbs such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains are nutrient dense foods that supply energy to the body without toxic side effects. The good carbs actually have a cleansing effect on the body!

Most of the weight lost on a protein diet is actually due to water loss. The increase in protein consumption raises the levels of uric acid and urea in the blood. The body eliminates the uric acid by pumping water into the kidneys to flush the acid out of the body resulting in dehydration. The body also becomes deprived of glycogen, a carbohydrate fuel stored in the muscles. Without glycogen, the body starts to use its own muscle mass to use as fuel. The body is losing water weight and its own muscle mass which will make it easier for you to gain weight when you return to your normal diet because muscle burns fat. When you lose weight on a diet it is very important to lose only fat.

Heart disease is the #1 killer in the US today. Obviously a protein diet is not going to help. Weight loss should not be our main concern. Our health should be our main concern. If you are looking to cut carbohydrates out of your diet, read the book the South Beach Diet. This diet was designed by Dr. Arthur Agaston, a cardiologist in south Florida who developed the diet for his chronically overweight heart patients. The South Beach Diet stresses the importance of good fats and good carbs at the same time avoiding bad fats and bad carbs.

A balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates and protein combined with daily exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight. But you already knew that!

Christine Jeffers is a shiatsu therapist, professional member of the ABMP, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and Health and Fitness writer for Chicago Jazz Magazine. She attended Ohashiatsu Chicago in Evanston and is available for private sessions, parties, on-site, corporate shiatsu and seminars on shiatsu. Christine has done extensive research on many health issues and is founder of www.chicagoshiatsu.com. To book an appointment call Christine at 847-322-8687. For more information about Shiatsu and other healing arts visit www.chicagoshiatsu.com or you can email her at chicagoshiatsu@yahoo.com.

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