High-protein diet predicament

The high protein, low carbohydrate many people turn to weight loss could damage the long term, have a small study notes.

In a study of 17 obese men were British researchers have discovered a protein-heavy diet low in carbohydrates leads to specific changes in the large intestine to increase over time could be the risk of colon cancer.

The study looked only at short-term changes in some compounds, the byproducts of metabolism, and not the actual risk of disease. It is therefore not whether the diet high in protein increases the risk of bowel disease.

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But the results raise the possibility, the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"Raised the problem for our studies, the risk of colorectal cancer by long-term compliance will be increased to diets that are rich in protein and low in carbohydrates, especially fiber," to senior researcher Dr Harry J Flint , University of Aberdeen, Reuters Health in an e-mail.

What does this mean for people who want to lose?

Diets relatively high in protein and low in carbohydrates has been shown that serious people to lose a few pounds. And stress, Flint and colleagues, obesity is considered an element of risk for a number of diseases, including cancer of the colon.

"People should not lose weight are not recommended because it provides important health benefits," said Flint.

However, he added, they must ensure that any weight loss plan to follow contains adequate amounts of fiber. People should also be aware, Flint said that a high protein intake in the months or years of negative effects in the colon might have.

The results will be on 17 obese men, each of the three regimes that followed in the short term, based on: a period of four weeks protein diet with moderate amounts of carbohydrates, a menu plan this week designed to keep their weight and a four-week diet rich in protein carbohydrates.

The first diet containing approximately 360 grams of carbs per day, usually offered cereal, toast and eggs allowed for breakfast, a sandwich and salad for lunch, and chicken, fish and soy with pasta for dinner.

The low-carbohydrate diet - which allows only 22 grams of carbs per day - was the rule of eggs and bacon breakfast, lunch and dinner and heavy in meat, poultry and fish and some vegetables and cheese.

The moderate-carbohydrate diet allows 181 grams of carbohydrates per day. Both protein-rich foods contain less than 140 grams of protein per day.

analyzed at the end of each diet period regarded as stool samples from the Flint team men at certain metabolic byproducts.

On average, the study said, when men were on the high protein diet, they experienced several substances such as N-nitroso compounds, and some other metabolites, which were brought to cancer.

And if, on the high-protein diet low in carbohydrates, they had reduced concentrations of compounds derived from fiber thought to protect against cancer.

Exactly what these changes mean for the long-term health of a person is unclear. But Flint said the findings highlight that people should be careful, too much protein and not enough fiber for an extended period of time.

People trying to lose weight, he and his colleagues say, should certainly enough fiber in their diet. In general, experts recommend that adults get about 28 grams of fiber per day - even if you do not know if that is enough for someone on a high protein diet for weight reduction.

Flint and his colleagues are currently investigating this issue.