ARE PLANT PROTEINS HEALTHIER THAN ANIMAL BASED PROTEINS

Plant proteins key to weight loss, healthy cholesterol, suggests study

By Lorraine Heller, 10-Jun-2009

A diet low in carbohydrates and high in plant-based proteins could improve blood cholesterol levels while promoting weight loss, according to a new study.

In a paper published this week in the JAMA journal Archives of Internal Medicine, scientists suggested that popular low-carb diets with meat protein, which are often promoted for weight loss, may contain high levels or saturated fat and cholesterol, which could lead to the “potential for adverse effects”.
"This lack of a benefit for LDL-C control is a major disadvantage in using this dietary strategy in those already at increased risk of coronary heart disease," write David Jenkins, M.D., of St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues.
"A plant-based low-carbohydrate diet high in vegetable proteins and oils may be an effective option in treating those with dyslipidemia for whom both weight loss and lower LDL-C concentrations are treatment goals," wrote the authors, adding that more research was needed to confirm the benefits.
‘Eco-Atkins’
Their study, which was supported by the soy protein manufacturer Solae, found that overweight individuals who ate a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet high in plant-based proteins for four weeks lost weight and experienced improvements in blood cholestrol levels and other heart disease risk factors.
The researchers randomly assigned 25 participants to this diet, which they term the ‘Eco-Atkins’ diet, for a period of four weeks. The vegetable proteins in this diet were derived from gluten, soy, nuts, fruits, vegetables, cereals and vegetable oils.
Another 25 participants were given a high-carbohydrate, lacto-ovo vegetarian control diet, which was based on low-fat dairy and whole grain products. The diets provided 60 per cent of participants’ estimated calorie requirements.
After four weeks, both groups recorded similar levels of weight loss – around 4kg or 8.8lbs. However, reductions in LDL-C levels and improvements in the ratios between total cholesterol and HDL-C were greater for the low-carbohydrate diet compared with the high-carbohydrate diet, wrote the researchers.
“The low-carbohydrate diet also appeared to produce beneficial changes in levels and ratios of apolipoproteins, proteins that bind to fats. In addition, small but significantly greater reductions were seen in both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure for the low-carbohydrate vs. the high-carbohydrate group.”
‘Debatable’ benefits
The authors said their study provides insight into “debatably more effective and possibly safer tactics” for designing higher-protein diets for weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction.
“However, it is premature to recommend the 'Eco-Atkins' diet as a weight loss diet of choice without confirmation of its efficacy in larger studies of more diverse and higher-risk individuals. Long-term studies are also essential to ascertain both sustainability and safety," they concluded.
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"IS PROTEIN JUST FOR BODY BUILDERS"

The simple answer to this is no.But that would be too easy to just leave it there.To be honest we all need certain levels of protein in our diets to build and repair tissues in the body, as well as the production of enzymes and hormones.

To lose weight more quickly, you can begin an exercise routine which will help increase your metabolism. Losing weight requires eating and exercising sensibly.
Starving yourself is the worst thing you can do if you're trying to slim down. Make sure that you have breakfast as soon as you wake up. Eating extra carbs in the morning along with eating 6 times a day will help you lose weight.
Every meal that you eat should include lean protein, foods containing monounsaturated fat, and complex carbohydrates. If you stick to this diet, you will find that your metabolism levels increasing and your body will burning more fat than it ever has.
There are so much toxic wastes, pollutants, carcinogens, smoke and other toxins in the air and the foods we eat. Toxins are stored in the fatty tissue of your body in an effort to safeguard you.
You need to do things differently if you want to lose weight and rid your body of dangerous chemicals. A fat burning body wrap will help you remove toxins from your body while burning inches from your waist. This action will help your body metabolize fat thus allowing you to lose weight faster.
With this method, toxins will be removed from your body which will allow you to burn fat from the areas where fat is stored on your body. Stay positive and stay committed! Sticking to this healthy weight loss regimen will give you the results you're looking for.
Exercise is very important in weight control, but even more important is eating healthy foods in the right amounts. If you drink enough water and eat well, you need only exercise 20 minutes at a time, 3 times per week. Follow these tips and you will be thin and healthy in no time at all.

No matter how you decide to alter your lifestyle in terms of nutrition and exercise, be certain to get detox your system regularly and to get consistent exercise. Without the proper nutrition, exercise, and detoxification regimen, you may be halting your weight loss efforts before they even begin.
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