September/October 2002
Page 4
Be Careful of High-Protein Diets
High-protein diets may help you lose weight quickly, but they can also cause you to become dehydrated - an especial no-no for ostomates. According to a study released by the University of Connecticut, even very fit athletes on a high-protein diet can become so dehydrated it puts a strain on their kidneys. These diets call for menus packed with steak, bacon, fried eggs, and other high-protein foods, while forbidding most carbohydrates, including potatoes, pasta, vegetables, and fruit. Study author William Forrest Martin recommends a daily protein intake of not more than 2 grams per kilogram of weight. While many dieters have hailed the high-protein diets as a sure and quick way to shed pounds, they have been assailed by the American Heart Association, which insists there is no scientific evidence that the weight will stay off over the long term. Common side effects of protein loading include fatigue, dizziness, and bad breath.
Martin and his colleagues studied the effects of low-, medium-, and high-protein diets on endurance runners. The more protein they ate, the more dehydrated they became. Increased protein leads to a build-up of nitrogen in the blood. “In the end, the nitrogen ends up at the kidney in the form of urea which needs to be filtered out and excreted in the urine,” Martin told Reuters. And that places an extra strain on the kidneys. Scarier still, the runners did not feel thirsty - even though their hydration levels had sunk below what is considered healthy. Bottom line: If you must go on a high-protein diet, increase your fluid intake.
From CompuServe News, via S. Brevard (FL) OSTOMY NEWSLETTER, May/02, via Inside Out On-line Sep/Oct 2002.
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