Consequences: Heart Group Denounces Protein Diets

Eric Nagourney

 

The American Heart Association recently issued an advisory in its journal, Circulation, cautioning against the use of high-protein diets. According to the AHA, such diets offer only short-term weight loss. Additionally, the study cites potential risks of cardiovascular damage from these diets because of their reliance on eggs, dairy products, and meat, which increase levels of fat and cholesterol. Advocates of the Atkins diet, a popular high-protein eating plan, responded quickly to the AHA's statement. They accused the heart association of "further confus[ing] the American public" by setting aside current scientific evidence. High-protein diets usually produce fast results. With more than half of all Americans qualifying as overweight, it is no surprise that the diets are so popular. The warning does note that the diets are probably safe for most healthy people if followed for short durations. However, warns Dr. Robert H. Eckel, that initial, quick drop is only temporary. Dr. Eckel, lead author of the advisory and past chairman of the AHA's nutrition committee, asks, "If short-term is all you get the benefit for, then is it worth doing?" St Jeor ST, Howard BV, Prewitt TE, et al. Circulation 2001;104(15):1869-1874. Return to Top