A high-protein diet is a diet in which 40% or more of the total daily calories come from protein. [1] Many high protein diets are high in saturated fat and restrict intake of carbohydrates. [2]
Example foods in a high-protein diet include lean beef, chicken or poultry, pork, salmon and tuna, eggs, and soy. [3] High-protein diets are often utilized in the context of fat loss and muscle building. [4] [5] High-protein fad diets, such as the Atkins diet and Protein Power, have been criticized for promoting misconceptions about carbohydrates, insulin resistance and ketosis. [2] [6]
There is dispute among researchers about the efficacy and safety of various high-protein diets.
Increased protein consumption is shown to increase muscle mass, improve muscle adaptations to resistance training, and reduce muscle loss in periods of energy and nutrient deficit. [4] [7] High-protein low-calorie diets are often used in the setting of treating obesity. [8] A high-protein diet does not significantly improve blood pressure and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. [9]
In 2001, the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee issued a recommendation against some high-protein diets such as the Atkins diet and Protein Power. [6] The committee noted potential health risks of these diets and how there are no long-term scientific studies to support their efficacy and safety. [6]
A 2017 review indicated that a high-protein diet (superior to 1.5 g per kilogram of ideal body weight per day) may contribute to life-long risk of kidney damage, including progression of or potentially new onset chronic kidney disease. [10] [11] Though, a 2023 umbrella review found no evidence that higher protein intake (> 0.8 g/kg body weight/day) does specifically trigger CKD. [12] According to the American Heart Association, high-protein diets that contain high amounts of saturated fat increase risk of coronary artery disease and cancer. [6]
The following are examples of high-protein fad diets: [2] [6] [13] [14]