The protein diet is one of the most well-known “chemical” diets. But what do we mean by chemical diets?
The diet is characterized as “chemical”, in which there is an increased percentage consumption of one of the three known macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, fat, with the aim of faster weight loss. Therefore, the protein diet is characterized by an increased percentage of protein consumption. General population recommendations for protein requirements suggest that the percentage of protein in total daily caloric intake should be between 15-20%. In the protein diet, this percentage exceeds 25%. A diet with increased amounts of protein is undoubtedly expected to have a positive correlation with weight loss, as it has a positive effect on appetite regulation, resulting in satiety and, by extension, avoiding “snacking”.
In a hypocaloric diet, that is, a diet aimed at losing body weight, the increased amount of protein can help to strengthen and maintain muscle mass. Therefore, as long as muscle tissue is maintained, the dieter’s diet is more likely to have a positive outcome.
People who exercise on a daily basis undoubtedly have increased protein needs. However, researches support that the consumed protein per meal should not exceed 20-25 grams, because this is the maximum amount needed by the body for muscle protein synthesis. Surplus amount of protein is either excreted through the urine, or converted into energy through oxidative processes. This results in the amount of this energy being stored in the body in the form of fat.
However, research has shown that protein diets (see Atkins Diet), when done under the supervision of a health professional, can have a variety of beneficial health effects, such as improving both lipid profiles and blood sugar levels. (Type II Diabetes Mellitus).
It is also worth mentioning that the protein is stored to a large extent in the skeletal muscles, which it nourishes at the same time, provided always that correct sources of animal and vegetable proteins are chosen that are low in saturated fat.
Despite the fact that a protein diet can have a positive correlation with short-term weight loss, recent research has shown that such a diet can in some cases cause damage to the kidneys, or worsen any existing damage. A typical example of kidney damage is proteinuria, i.e. the excretion of an excess amount of protein from the urine as mentioned above.
In conclusion, there is a need to make it clear that as beneficial as a diet can be, it can also be harmful to the body. And here comes the important contribution of the professional nutritionist nutritionist who can judge which diet plan and for what period of time can be followed, depending on the needs and preferences of each dieter.