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Advantages of Low Fat Diet / High Protein: Becoming Lean and Mean

There have been many concerns about the health impact of low carb, high protein diets like Atkins and South Beach. The criticisms probably stem from the fact that these kinds of diets promote foods long held by many medical experts to be bad for one’s health in large doses, such as red meat. However, clinical trials and other studies have shown numerous advantages of a low fat diet / high protein. And these advantages, as well as the disadvantages, should be looked into before deciding to embark on this kind of eating lifestyle.

Scientific studies have shown the advantages of a low fat diet / high protein. For instance, clinical trials in Adelaide, Australia, have offered limited evidence that a 12-week high-protein, low-fat diet (as compared to the conventional high-carbohydrate, low-fat regimen) has a significant effect on the weight loss of obese women. The diet also positively impacted their body composition, their nutritional status, and their markers for cardiovascular health. The results of this study showed that such a high protein and low carb diet provided even more health benefits than those seen in the traditional weight loss diet.

Another study conducted at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, showed that subjects on the high protein diet actually reduced their daily caloric intake because they found that they weren’t as hungry most of the time. Evidently for these people, being on a low carb diet gave them a feeling of satiety or fullness after meals. This is because lower amounts of carbohydrate intake do not increase blood sugar levels dramatically. When your blood sugar level isn’t elevated, there is no overproduction of insulin, which can lead to more frequent hunger pangs. Moreover, insulin levels also play a role in the conversion of glucose or sugar into fat, which is then stored by the body and which you see as added inches and pounds in the waist, thighs, arms, and other areas.

And of course, significant weight loss in a considerably short amount of time is one the main advantage of a high protein, low-fat, and low-carb diet. A number of clinical studies and anecdotal evidence show that overweight persons lose the amount of weight they need to get rid of anywhere from two to 12 months. In fact, claims of weight loss of up to 200 pounds are not at all uncommon.

This kind of diet is not for everyone; they are certainly not advised for people with certain medical conditions. Before you decide to go on such a diet, make sure you have the approval and guidance of a health professional. He or she can determine whether you would be able to realize the advantages of a low fat diet / high protein and prevent you from just being another casualty on the diet bandwagon.