Protein pointers. (Updates).(Brief Article)

Based on anecdotal accounts of rapid weight loss, an increasing number of people are trying low-carbohydrate, high-protein (LCHP) diets. But researchers now report that these diets tax the kidneys and may weaken bones by reducing the body's ability to absorb calcium--and the effects may begin as early as six weeks after starting the diet.

High-protein foods are usually high in fat, which increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Skipping carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables can create deficiencies for essential vitamins and minerals. Insufficient glucose--the body's preferred fuel source, a form of sugar that the body manufactures from carbohydrates--can lead to fatigue and dizziness.

Chia-Ying Wang, MD, PhD, of the University of Chicago in Illinois, led a team of researchers studying LCHP diets. After six weeks on an LCHP diet, the study's subjects showed higher acid levels in the kidneys, ...