From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Sat Apr 19 2003 - 12:37:16 MDT
My guess (and this is only a guess) is that protein is hard to digest. It
is hard on the kidneys and it is hard on the body. I believe that the
Atkins diet works because the body finds it easiest to burn carbs, then fats
are second, and protein last. Eliminating carbs causes the body to start
burning fats. Protein is only broken down and used by the body as a last
resort. It wouldn't surprise me if cutting back protein (not to deficiency
levels) caused longevity. Eating more proteins than necessary puts an extra
burden on the body without any added benefit.
I will even go further and state that I am deliberately avoiding trying to
gain muscle mass or bulking up on a heavy weight lifting regime. I think
this pushes the metabolism into high gear, increases the appetite and
associated oxidative damage, and is very hard on the body because it
constantly builds up and tears down muscle. Pushing a faster metabolism
produces short-term results, but ages the body faster. It increases cell
replication, pushes against the Hayflick limit faster, wears out bones
faster, increases replication errors and potential cancers and cumulative
injuries. I consider such heavy programs to be the opposite of calorie
restriction, and in this case, the opposite of protein restriction.
All foods and digestion is hard on the body. Everything has its drawbacks
and should be used in moderation. That is why many fad diets work. You can
pick almost anything to cut out of your diet and find wonderful health
benefits by avoiding too much of it. The problem is that we can't avoid
everything. Fasting may be the healthiest thing for the body until you
starve to death. Calorie restriction may be the healthiest diet until you
cut back too far. Instead of radical elimination of a single
macro-nutrient, I prefer moderate levels of carbs, fats and proteins,
choosing the healthiest versions of each and avoiding the unhealthy versions
of each. This seems more reasonable in all areas and less radical or
experimental in any one particular area.
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP, IAM, GSEC <www.HarveyNewstrom.com>
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