High-protein diets dehydrate even the very fit

[Guest guest]

" Dave on " <davephillipson@h...> wrote:

> Perhaps the best evidence of these comments

> are those who have been on a high-protien diet

> for a number of years.

>

> Check out the skin of someone who has been

> living this way for 10 or more years!

> Dehydration at its finest!

### Firstly...dehydration will manifest itself in many other ways

prior affecting the skin to a point that it is noticeably dry.

Secondly, empirical evidence of people have used high protein diets

does not corroborate this.

Thirdly, wouldn't this have to be some type of chronic dehydration?

Fourthly, assuming that increased protein intake does significantly

affect the body's fluid regulation (although, note that I would disagree

with this), why wouldn't drinking more water take care of the problem?

Fifthly, have you ever seen someone's skin who doesn't get enough protein?

Sixthly (if there is a sixthly), I agree with Dr Siff. To claim something like

this, you have got to provide something other than a *poor* anecdotal

observation for evidence.

Todd

Hattiesburg, MS

[Guest guest]

High-protein diets dehydrate even the very fit

By E. J. Mundell

NEW ORLEANS, Apr 22 (Reuters Health) - High-protein diets place such a

strain on the kidneys that even very fit athletes can become dehydrated,

according to researchers.

" Personally, I would not recommend a protein intake of over 2 grams of

protein per kilogram of weight per day, as it may have negative

long-term effects, " said researcher Forrest , a graduate

student at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. He presented the

findings here Monday at the Experimental Biology 2002 conference.

High-protein diets have surged in popularity in recent years for their

purported potential for quick weight loss. Most of these plans promise

prompt results if devotees fill up on steak, bacon, fried eggs and other

high-protein foods, while cutting back on carbohydrates such as

potatoes, pasta, vegetables and fruit.

But the diets have their critics. For example, the American Heart

Association recently issued a report that found that there was " no

scientific evidence " that the diets actually worked to keep pounds off

over the long term, and they may trigger unwanted side effects such as

fatigue or dizziness.

In their study, and his colleagues sought to determine the

effects of such diets on hydration--the body's ability to distribute and

retain a healthy amount of water. They had five very fit endurance

runners consume low-, medium- and high-protein diets over three

successive 4-week periods. During the high-protein diet phase,

participants consumed about 30% of their total calories from foods such

as eggs, steak and " power bars. "

Blood tests conducted on the athletes 3 weeks into the diets revealed

" that increasing protein intake led to a progression toward hypo- (low)

hydration, and that a greater strain was placed upon the kidney due to

the excessive levels of protein intake, " according to .

Speaking with Reuters Health, he explained that increased protein intake

leads to an excess build-up of nitrogen in the blood. " In the end, the

nitrogen ends up at the kidney in the form of urea where it needs to be

filtered out and excreted in the urine. "

The excessive urination triggered by high protein intake can easily lead

to a hypohydrated state, even in the absence of symptoms. In fact, all

of the runners in the study said they felt no more thirsty while on the

high-protein diet compared with other regimens--even though their levels

of hydration had fallen to below healthy levels.

Based on the findings, advised active individuals to avoid

getting a large percentage of their calories from meat, eggs and other

protein-rich foods. But " if one does embark on a diet greater than about

1.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, I would suggest they

increase their daily fluid intake to protect against dehydration, " he

said.

According to the American Dietetic Association, the average adult should

consume between 8 to 12 cups of water per day.