Title |
A high-protein diet for reducing body fat: mechanisms and possible caveats
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Published in |
Nutrition & Metabolism, November 2014
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DOI | 10.1186/1743-7075-11-53 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Dominik H Pesta, Varman T Samuel |
Abstract |
High protein diets are increasingly popularized in lay media as a promising strategy for weight loss by providing the twin benefits of improving satiety and decreasing fat mass. Some of the potential mechanisms that account for weight loss associated with high-protein diets involve increased secretion of satiety hormones (GIP, GLP-1), reduced orexigenic hormone secretion (ghrelin), the increased thermic effect of food and protein-induced alterations in gluconeogenesis to improve glucose homeostasis. There are, however, also possible caveats that have to be considered when choosing to consume a high-protein diet. A high intake of branched-chain amino acids in combination with a western diet might exacerbate the development of metabolic disease. A diet high in protein can also pose a significant acid load to the kidneys. Finally, when energy demand is low, excess protein can be converted to glucose (via gluconeogenesis) or ketone bodies and contribute to a positive energy balance, which is undesirable if weight loss is the goal. In this review, we will therefore explore the mechanisms whereby a high-protein diet may exert beneficial effects on whole body metabolism while we also want to present possible caveats associated with the consumption of a high-protein diet. |
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United Kingdom | 13 | 13% |
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Canada | 4 | 4% |
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Spain | 2 | 2% |
Ireland | 2 | 2% |
Mexico | 1 | <1% |
Belgium | 1 | <1% |
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Unknown | 40 | 39% |
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Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 20 | 20% |
Scientists | 13 | 13% |
Unknown | 2 | 2% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Netherlands | 2 | <1% |
Brazil | 2 | <1% |
United Kingdom | 2 | <1% |
Australia | 1 | <1% |
India | 1 | <1% |
New Zealand | 1 | <1% |
Spain | 1 | <1% |
United States | 1 | <1% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
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Student > Master | 115 | 17% |
Researcher | 47 | 7% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 43 | 6% |
Other | 34 | 5% |
Other | 96 | 14% |
Unknown | 191 | 28% |
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Other | 86 | 12% |
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