Review of Popular Weight Loss Diets Part 2

Protein Power Lifeplan(Michael R. Eades, MD, and Mary Dan Eades, MD)

The Diet Plan Theory: The Protein Power Lifeplan diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan. The diet allows for liberal amounts of fish, poultry, red meat, low-fat cheese, eggs and tofu. It offers a three-tiered nutrition plan designed for your level of health commitment: Hedonist, Dilettante or Purist. Daily caloric needs are determined based on protein requirements that are linked with activity levels. The Eades' Protein Power Lifeplan is based on the theory that the body is designed to metabolize and thrive on fats and proteins; there are no physical needs for carbohydrates and processed foods. The diet focuses on controlling insulin levels by decreasing carbohydrate consumption. By ingesting a low-carbohydrate diet, the body uses fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Using fats for the body's energy source will decrease appetite and promote weight loss.

Disadvantages:

The Power Protein Lifeplan restricts carbohydrates and calories, limiting the amount of essential vitamins and minerals consumed naturally in foods to maintain health. High-fat diets are debated in the medical community. However, there is strong evidence to support increased cholesterol levels, and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer and the potential for accelerating loss of kidney function. There are no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of this diet or to support the theory of the body's preference to metabolize proteins and fats with greater efficiency than carbohydrates.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. The plan encourages consuming healthier fats, low-fat cheese and avoiding fried foods.

Sugar Busters (H. Leighton and associates) (H. Leighton and associates)

The Diet Plan Theory: The Sugar Busters diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate plan. This diet recommends reducing all refined sugars along with some high-sugar fruits and vegetables. Restricted foods include refined sugars, potatoes, corn, white rice, some breads, beets, carrots, corn syrup, molasses, honey and soda. The authors believe sugar is toxic. The plan holds that when refined sugars are eaten, blood sugar rises quickly and this causes an overabundance of insulin. The excess amount of insulin is not readily used to convert blood sugar - glucose - into energy. Instead, the body stores the glucose as fat, leading to weight gain. Eliminating refined sugars forces the body to convert fat into energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Appetite subsides, the body stores less fat and weight loss occurs.

Disadvantages:

The authors' scientific theories are misleading. Sugar is really not TOXIC. Pesticides are toxic. They claim lower insulin levels in the blood stream can reduce insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a medical condition diagnosed by a physician and is typically seen in obese people and Type 2 diabetics. The authors also believe you can avert diabetes with this diet. Eating sugar itself does not cause diabetes or insulin resistance in a healthy person. But, highly refined white sugar on its own does make blood sugar levels rise quicker than eating a complex sugar (such as a carbohydrate) combined with fat and protein. Being overweight is a factor in developing both insulin resistance and diabetes. Losing weight, with any diet plan, aids in preventing these conditions. The medical community continues to debate the effect long-term, high-protein diets have on accelerating the loss of kidney function, elevating cholesterol levels, increasing risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. There have been no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of the Sugar Busters diet. Following this diet over the long term will be difficult.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. It provides clear guidelines on foods to avoid and it encourages eating high-fiber vegetables, stone-ground whole grains, lean and trimmed meats, fish, fruit and drinking alcohol in moderation. The authors recommend looking at your food portions versus traditional calorie counting.

Suzanne Somers' Get Skinny on Fabulous Food(Suzanne Somers and associates)

The Diet Plan Theory: Somers' diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan. The diet foods include unlimited amounts of meat, cheese, eggs, cream, oils and butter; and controlled portions of low-carbohydrate vegetables, whole-grain pastas, cereals, breads, beans, fruits and non-fat dairy products. There is a list of "funky foods" to eliminate, guidelines of when to eat fruits, and how to combine protein, fat, vegetables and carbohydrates. The diet is based on the theory that when eating protein and carbohydrates together, their enzymes cancel each other, halting digestion and leading to weight gain. The key to "Somersizing" is to eliminate foods high in sugars, a.k.a. carbohydrates.

Disadvantages:

There is no scientific data to support combining certain foods to lose weight or that protein and carbohydrate enzymes react when eaten together to stop digestion. Some foods naturally combine protein and carbohydrates, including nuts, milk, beans and whole-grain breads. The body digests these foods. The medical debate over potential harmful effect of long-term, high-protein diets on kidney function, cholesterol levels, and increased risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer also applies to this plan. Ms. Somers herself had a bout with breast cancer. Whether this is related or not is, of course, up for speculation and discussion. There are no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of the diet.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. Meals are customized from a wide range of foods to meet personal tastes.A good supplement to take while on this diet would be dietrine carb blocker.