Low Carb, High Protein, Colon Cancer

[Barefootsies]

You can't win....

(Reuters Health) - The high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets many people turn to for weight loss might have potentially harmful long-term effects on the colon, a small study hints.

In a study of 17 obese men, UK researchers found that a protein-heavy, low-carb diet created certain changes in the colon that could, over time, contribute to colon cancer risk.

The study looked only at short-term shifts in certain compounds that are byproducts of metabolism, and not actual disease risk. So it does not show whether high-protein diets really raise the risk of any colon diseases.

But the findings raise that possibility, the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"The concern raised by our studies is that the risk of colorectal cancer might be raised by long-term adherence to diets that are high in protein and low in carbohydrate, especially fiber," senior researcher Dr. Harry J. Flint, of the University of Aberdeen, told Reuters Health in an email.

So what does that mean for people who want to lose weight?

Diets relatively high in protein and lower in carbs have been shown to help heavy people shed pounds. And, Flint and his colleagues point out, obesity is thought to be a risk factor for a number of diseases, including colon cancer.

"People should not be discouraged from losing weight, as this offers important health benefits," Flint said.

However, he added, they should make sure that any weight loss plan they follow includes adequate amounts of fiber. People should also be aware, Flint said, that a high protein intake over months to years might have ill effects in the colon.

The findings are based on 17 obese men who each followed three short-term diets: a one-week menu plan designed to maintain their weight; a four-week high-protein diet with moderate amounts of carbohydrates; and a four-week high-protein diet low in carbs.

The first diet, which allowed about 360 grams of carbs per day, typically offered cereal, eggs and toast for breakfast; a sandwich and salad for lunch; and chicken, fish or soy, along with pasta, for dinner.

The low-carb diet -- which allowed just 22 grams of carbs each day -- generally consisted of eggs-and-bacon breakfasts, and lunches and dinners heavy in meat, poultry and fish, along with some vegetables and cheese.

The moderate-carbohydrate diet allowed 181 grams of carbs each day. Both high-protein diets contained just less than 140 grams of protein per day.

At the end of each diet period, Flint's team analyzed fecal samples from the men to look at levels of certain metabolic byproducts.

On average, the study found, when the men were on the high-protein diets, they had higher levels of substances known as N-nitroso compounds, and certain other metabolites that have been linked to cancer.

ARTICLE

[Barry-xlovecam]

High Fiber

[maxxtro]

"In a study of 17 obese men"

well...case closed then..

[dyna mo]

i've been saying for a while now that carbs are not the culprit and it's irresponsible to point to any one of the 3 macros as a fat maker or loser.

eat less food to lose weight.

[CaptainHowdy]

Alrighty then ...

[PR_Glen]

not sure if i ever needed a study to tell me that one, seems pretty obvious.

on the up side with colon cancer you can trim down some...

[SpartaVideo]

I always felt like carbs are necessary, to some degree - but the processing we put them through is the problem.

[Chosen]

Thanks for letting us know...

[seeandsee]

i will lose my weight now never

[$5 submissions]

There IS an alternative. I've lost close to 40 pounds now on a Vegetarian high protein, moderate carb lifestyle (I hate to call it diet). I also exercise 6 days a week.

[woj]

how about just just eat a well balanced diet, you know, things people have been eating for 1000s of years? and avoid all the fad diets?

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by maxxtro

"In a study of 17 obese men"

well...case closed then..

Bingo. And those guys aren't really eating that diet anyway or they wouldn't BE obese.

It's their obesity that is causing all of their health problems.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Robbie

Bingo. And those guys aren't really eating that diet anyway or they wouldn't BE obese.

It's their obesity that is causing all of their health problems.

the study measured the levels of chemicals they were analyzing both before & after the feeding period.

regardless, the fact remains that long-term diets that center around ultra-low carbs have very little research done to reveal the effects. but i think it's safe to conclude from the study, and common sense, that if you want to lose weight, perhaps an alternative to a low-carb diet might be a better way to go.

[Si]

I'd go with high fibre, high water content, low fat for any diet.

Plenty of green tea and water.

Stop or cut down on smoking (trying to do this myself)

Ignore carbs, they are good for you (in moderation)

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

the study measured the levels of chemicals they were analyzing both before & after the feeding period.

regardless, the fact remains that long-term diets that center around ultra-low carbs have very little research done to reveal the effects. but i think it's safe to conclude from the study, and common sense, that if you want to lose weight, perhaps an alternative to a low-carb diet might be a better way to go.

I'd say that "research" often times tends to come to whatever conclusions the "researchers" wanted it to.

I'm gonna go with what I see healthy people doing. Like Jack LaLanne. He was healthy as a horse and just recently died at like age 300 lol Obesity is the main killer...from heart disease to diabetes to cancer...anything to NOT be fat is best.

[dyna mo]

jack lalanne never advocated a low carb diet.

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

jack lalanne never advocated a low carb diet.

Didn't have to "advocate" it. He ate it. And yes he did indeed preach a healthy diet which was low in carbs and high in protein.

[Robbie]

Here ya go dynamo:
http://www.lowcarbdietsecret.com/blo...t-your-health/

[Adam_M]

What's wrong with a balanced diet?

[Jakez]

Originally Posted by woj

how about just just eat a well balanced diet, you know, things people have been eating for 1000s of years? and avoid all the fad diets?

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Robbie

Didn't have to "advocate" it. He ate it. And yes he did indeed preach a healthy diet which was low in carbs and high in protein.

i am more than familiar with jack lalanne's diet philosophy and it in no way would be associated with the low carb diet done in this study (20g carbs/day). moreover, his diet is rich in fruits & vegetables- 2 food groups MANY low carb advocates say are *bad carbs* which leads to part of the problem.

people going around talking about low carbs this and that with very little experience, let alone knowledge, is a big part of the problem.

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by woj

how about just just eat a well balanced diet, you know, things people have been eating for 1000s of years? and avoid all the fad diets?

Because people have not been eating a balanced diet for thousands of years.
They pretty much ate whatever was available in the region they lived in a thousand years ago.

And in modern times...we've been eating like shit. I grew up in the South of the U.S. and we fried EVERYTHING. Most of my older relatives all had high blood pressure and health issues from their diet.

Eating lots of protein and keeping carbs relatively low would be pretty close to what we should eat naturally anyway. If we were still hunters and gatherers we would eat as much meat as we could (protein), chicken and eggs (protein), and then whatever vegetables our particular region allowed us to grow (bit of carbs)

I don't think we ever were meant to eat all this processed food and drink thousands of gallons of carb filled soda.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Robbie

Here ya go dynamo:
http://www.lowcarbdietsecret.com/blo...t-your-health/

from the article-

He does not feel these all low carbohydrate diets are beneficial although he does recommend including natural grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat, in your diet.

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i am more than familiar with jack lalanne's diet philosophy and it in no way would be associated with the low carb diet done in this study (20g carbs/day). moreover, his diet is rich in fruits & vegetables- 2 food groups MANY low carb advocates say are *bad carbs* which leads to part of the problem.

people going around talking about low carbs this and that with very little experience, let alone knowledge, is a big part of the problem.

I've never heard of or participated in any kind of diet that said fruits and veggies are "bad".

Everything I've ever read in health and fitness magazines encouraged folks to eat tons of fruit and veggies. And all the protein (chicken, eggs, tuna, and turkey mostly) that they could.

Never heard of fruit and vegetables considered to be "bad". Always heard of sodas and processed white bread and cakes and pies etc. as being bad carbs. Processed sugar being the main culprit.

[dyna mo]

nevertheless, the confusion re: carbohydrates exists for many people, i come across them weekly with my mainstream business,not to mention the web, media, etc.

[marketsmart]

driving an automobile is bad for a lot of people too...




.

[Varius]

Flax Seed = Fiber.

Green veggies = carbs + fibre.

Rest = proteins & healthy fats.

Problem = solved.

* Add in any vitamins you may be lacking based on your personal diet.

[dyna mo]

just finished up a double stack of pancakes!

[andrej_NDC]

Those CKD type of diets are working when using only few weeks a year only, anyway. Like 3-4 weeks and twice a year, if necessary. Anybody doing them non-stop would be retarded. And its working better with more fat than protein, anyway. Too much protein can only kill the fat burning effect.

[PStarks]

wow... 17 people in a "study" makes the news? FAIL

[ArsewithClass]

The crap that people listen to

[Eric]

The problem is the misconception of a "LOW CARB" diet. On any low carb diet you are cutting out bad carbs, processed sugars and such. Fiber never counts against your carb count in any low carb diet.

The truth is there, you just have to do your research.

Additionally, any low carb diet that limits your bad carbs to say 25 BAD carbs a day, has you only doing so for a short period of time, a 2-3 week period. After that you are allowed to ramp your sugary or what they call bad carbs up a little bit each week until you reach the point of plateau. Meaning that you are at a stable "healthy" weight.

Several of you nailed it on the head, these are OBESE individuals and they have been destroying their bodies for years with shit processed food, very little fiber, fast food that has so many chemicals and bits of garbage that the body not designed to be able to handle. That doesn't even begin to take into consideration the amount of sugary sodas and other shit drinks they are putting into their bodies.

The sugar misconception is another big one, there are good sugars out there. Those found in some dairy products, fruits, and such. But all too often people consider one gram of sugar as just that one gram of sugar, or 4 calories. That is just not the case. As is not the case that one gram of fat is not just one gram of fat or 9 calories. The truth is in all cases there are good and bad. Protein is the same.

Add in the fact that the world let alone the US, has become a far more sedentary group of individuals only compounds the issues.

It breaks down to simply this:

Eat good fats
Eat quality carbs
Eat the right proteins
Drink tons of water
Exercise at least 1 hour a day

Simple and easy