Heart risks associated with high protein diet

July 27, 2006

An Australian study shows that the risk of heart disease is increasing with high protein diets.A protein based foods includes high glycaemic index increase cholesterol and also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The influence of carbohydrates on blood sugar can be estimated by glycogenic index. High index food creates a variety of problems like increase blood sugar, increase appetite, burn less amount of fat etc. As compared to high index food a low index food provides balanced energy supply.
The study is published in US Archives of Internet Medicine and was conducted by researchers at University of Sydney. “The results were related to the popularity of diet contains high protein, meat-based diets” Joanna McMillan said. . "We are making a grave error if we encourage Australians to eat more and more lean meat if they are not eating more plant materials," she said.
A research of 12 weeks shows that 130 young obese followed low fat diets. The variations in their diets were:

• High carbohydrate, high GI.
• High carbohydrate, low GI.
• High protein, lower carbohydrate and high GI.
• High protein, lower carbohydrate, low GI.

Those having High carbohydrate; low glycogenic index (HCLG), High protein; lower carbohydrate and high glycogenic index (HPLCHG) were best for weight loss.
Ms McMillan-Price said to avoid heart risks you need to have high carbohydrates and low GI if you are following high protein diets. 

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