Does a High Protein Diet Help Lose Weight

Seldom would you find a home that's not blooming an organic kitchen garden, freezers filled with diet foods and charts displayed with generous diet programs that come from all possible corners of science and nutrition experts. Different types of diets have been designed keeping in mind the different diseases, to tackle obesity and other physical and mental issues as well. You name it and there is a diet already designed. Talk about a crash diet, detox diet, fad diet, Mediterranean diet, vegan diet… is that too much? Well, there still is a platter full of them waiting to be served! Most of the diets are designed by nutritionists and health experts. Diets for weight loss have been in the limelight for numerous health and beauty conscious people for years. The most talked about diet today is the high protein diet designed to lose weight. But does a high protein diet help lose weight? Well, the answer is yes. High protein diets will help in weight loss. Though, there still is a stirring spoon of doubts and contradictions in this answer. Most health experts support the view that a high protein diet aids weight loss. There is no scientific proof that can win the bid, however, so far research and surveys have managed a healthy result showing many people who followed this diet have got satisfactory results. Let us understand more about a high protein diet, and whether or not can you lose weight on a high protein diet.

High Protein Diet and Losing Weight – Facts

With a lot of research and surveys done on does a high protein diet help lose weight, there are views that each has, with a different perspective. I have a list of some of the few expert views and findings. Let's take a look.

• Experts believe that following a high protein diet helps increase an amino acid called 'leucine', which is a muscle regulator that improves the composition of the body. It helps to maintain the muscle mass while burning more of fats, eventually reducing the body fat and helping in weight loss. They also stated that the recommended intake of protein depends on the body weight and requirements.
• Protein aids in suppressing hunger, and also keeps you feeling fuller for long. You feel less hungry, which helps you manage your daily recommended calorie intake. With meal plans for a high protein diet, there is a rare chance of your snack and food cravings between meals. Hence, a high protein diet will support weight loss.
• Another finding of a study showed that since a high protein diet gives very few options to choose from, it becomes a tendency to eat less as the diet is repeated, serving the same palate each time, thus making it dull, which then makes one eat less.
• A study showed that a diet high in proteins along with exercise could trigger weight loss and also increase the blood fat levels. It is also proved that though there is no exact scientific explanation as to how does high protein diet help weight loss, there is a speculation that a high protein diet suppresses the release of hunger stimulating hormones. A possibility is that the low carbs and high proteins affect the appetite cells of the brain chemistry that suppresses hunger, which may be lost link.
• Proteins could make people feel fuller for a longer time, as compared to people on any other diet. The study showed people eating considerably less with a high protein diet.

While we have the supporters for a high protein diet, there are opinions contradicting the high protein diet for weight loss theory.

• A study showed that a high protein diet could result in loss of essential nutrients in the body, as only proteins are consumed and the body is deprived of other necessary nutrients required.
• According to experts, a high protein diet will help lose weight in the initial stages, but that will be due to the loss of fluids. Proteins and carbs in the body help retain the body water in the cells, and the body will lose water weight and not fats. The high protein will increase the uric acid and urea in the blood. As a result, the body uses more water to flush out these toxins.
• Protein diets may also work well only with athletes, as digesting high amount of protein is not easy for a normal person. A lot of high protein diets have saturated fats that may cause further risks.
• A high intake of proteins may also leach calcium from the bones, and can lead to many complications. A high protein diet is only beneficial for short term weight loss.

Does a high protein diet help lose weight, still awaits a concrete answer with scientific proof. Since all our bodies are different, for some people this diet may help lose weight, while for some it may not. What is suggested is that our body is not designed to survive on one nutrient only. It needs a balance of all the essential nutrients for its healthy functioning. So a balanced diet combined with good exercise is the key to maintain the perfect balance of a healthy body and a healthy mind.