Protein downsides from AHA in Circulation.

[Guest guest]

Hi all, There is an interesting article in an upcoming edition of Circulation. It compares the five diets. It can be accessed at

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=11591629 & dopt=Abstract

and if someone gives me the word on the ethics of pasting in the abstract and it is positive, I will paste in the abstract, as has been done repeatedly by many in the past. But I just made my own digest of the important points of the article that cannot be derived from the abstract below.

Cheers,

Al.

Table 1 describes protein intake at different levels of kcal/day. At 1200, 200, and 300 kcal/day, the g/day of protein is for the:

low-protein diet (<10% kcal), 30, 50 and 75;

average diet (~15% kcal), 45, 75, 112;

high-protein diet (>20%), 60, 100, 150;

and very-high-protein (>30%), 90,150,225.

The reference is St. Jeor ST, JM. Dietary strategies: issues of diet composition. In: Fletcher GF, Grundy SM, Hayman LL, eds. Obesity: Impact on Cardiovascular Disease. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co; 1999: 233–246.

Table 2 describes macronutrient breakdowns in the different diets. For average, moderate fat, very-low-fat/very-high-CHO, low-CHO/very-high-protein and very-low-CHO/very-high-protein/fat diets, the % fat is 34, 30, 15, 30 and 55. The % CHO is 49, 55, 70, 40 and 15. Protein is 14, 15, 15, 30, 30. Alcohol is 3% for average diet.

Table 3 summarizes the five diets. IMHO, the bottom line is do people lose and maintain weight? It says for:

Atkins: Yes, but initial weight loss is mostly water. Does not promote a positive attitude toward food groups. Difficult to maintain long-term because diet restricts food choices.

Zone: Yes, via caloric restriction. Could result in weight maintenance if carefully followed. Diet rigid and difficult to maintain.

Protein Power: Yes, via caloric restriction. Limited food choices not practical for long term.

Sugar Busters: Yes, via caloric restriction. Limited food choices not practical for long term.

Stillman: Yes, but loss is mostly water. Maintenance based on strict calorie counting. Very limited food choices not practical for long term.

Table 4’s bottom line for me was the downsides of the diets re macronutrient suitability and nutritional deficiencies:

Atkins: Limited food choices. Diet low in fiber, vitamin D, thiamine, pantothenic acid, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium.* High in total fat and saturated fat

Zone: Food must be eaten in required proportions of protein, fat, carbohydrates. Menus not appealing, vegetable portions very large. Low in copper*.

Protein Power: Not practical for long term. Rigid rules. Diet low in calcium, fiber, pantothenic acid, copper, manganese.* High in total fat and saturated fat

Sugar Busters: Eliminates many carbohydrate foods. Discourages eating fruit with meals. Low in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, pantothenic acid, copper, potassium*.

Stillman: Eliminates many foods. Diet low in fiber, vitamin A, thiamine, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium*.

Re diet philosophies, they were:

Atkins Diet philosophy Eating too many carbohydrates causes obesity and other health problems; ketosis leads to decreased hunger

Zone Diet Diet philosophy. Eating the right combination of foods leads to metabolic state at which body functions at peak performance, leading to decreased hunger, weight loss, and increased energyEating too many carbohydrates causes obesity and other problems; ketosis leads to decreased hunger

Protein Power Diet philosophy.Eating carbohydrates releases insulin in large quantities, which contributes to obesity and other health problems.

Sugar Busters32 Diet philosophy. Sugar is toxic to the body and causes release of insulin, which promotes fat storage

Stillman28 Diet philosophy. High-protein foods burn body fat. If carbohydratesare consumed, the body stores fat instead of burning it

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " Alan Pater " <apater@...>

< >

Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 3:45 AM

Subject: [ ] Protein downsides from AHA in Circulation.

>

> Hi all, There is an interesting article in an upcoming edition of

> Circulation. It compares the five diets. It can be accessed at

>

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list

> _uids=11591629 & dopt=Abstract

Hi Al,

Here is the full text:

Dietary Protein and Weight Reduction

A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the

Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity,

and Metabolism of the American Heart Association

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/104/15/1869

Greg