superfitbabe

Well this is somewhat……shocking?

Recently an experiment with mice revealed that a low protein, high carbohydrate diet could provide the same metabolic, blood sugar and cholesterol benefits as a 40% calorie restricted diet, despite eating a higher quantity of food. The mice did not gain weight and improved their levels of lipids, insulin, glucagon, and HOMA. While more research has to explain how the amino acids are effected in the process, it seems as if the high carb low fat diet has yet another source to back up their argument. Just make sure to stay away from the highly processed and sugar carbohydrate sources that deliver no nutrients to aid digestion and metabolism.

There have also been some studies that combat the benefits of a high protein diet, revealing that too much protein can cause kidney stones, osteoporosis and increase chances of getting heart disease and cancer. You’re probably wondering: if the obesity epidemic was mainly caused by a high grain and high sugar (basically carbs) diet, and if numerous studies revealed the endless benefits of protein, what could possibly account for all of the misleads?

Firstly, all of these studies used animal-based proteins rather than plant-based proteins. There is a possibility that the effects may be similar, but definitely not the same since plant protein rarely provides all essential amino acids, with the exception of quinoa. Of course, that doesn’t automatically mean animal protein is bad. Possibly the monstrous quantities eaten nowadays is what accounts for all of the problems. Secondly, nothing is said about where the animal protein comes from–they could’ve come from grain-fed chickens and antibiotic-injected cows or pasture-raised hens and grass-fed cows. Who knows? Apparently the studies did not make that clear.

Before I literally went berserk, I found this one source that proved that both the high carb low protein diet and the high protein low carb diet resulted in different health benefits for diabetics. The high carb group lost more weight, but the high protein group had leaner body mass, less body fat and greater blood sugar tolerance. But at the end of the day, science is just so darn confusing. Something new comes out every single day.

Carbs make you obese. Carbs make you skinny. Protein causes osteoporosis. Protein is good for your bones. Fat is terrible for your health. Don’t cut fat–you need it to live! Aren’t you sick of hearing that too? So in short, take this new study with a grain of salt, because the latest news offers studies supporting a high protein low carbohydrate diet as the combat tool for our obesity epidemic. At the same time, don’t fret if you eat too many carbs so as long as you don’t overdo it on food in general. However, there’s nothing wrong with swapping your oatmeal for some protein mousse  like I did above to keep you full without the carbs if you’re on a keto/low-carb diet, or if you just like the taste of thick chocolate protein powder (I know I do–call me weird)!

REFERENCES

• http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/low-protein-intake-healthy-carbs-can-give-same-results-40-calorie-cut-diet-1503425
• http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/cp-boc052115.php
• http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/abstract/S2211-1247(15)00505-7?_returnURL=http%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2211124715005057%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
• http://www.world-first.co.uk/home/travel-insurance/seniors/less-protein-and-more-carbs-may-extend-life$66920.aspx
• http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/81/6/1298.short
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16373952
• http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1359/JBMR.040204/full
• http://www.ajmc.com/conferences/ada2015/two-diet-studies-two-approaches-to-finding-keys-to-weight-loss-reduced-risk-factors
• http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/69718519/its-time-to-flip-the-food-pyramid-say-nzs-lowcarb-highfat-advocates