High-protein, low-calorie balanced diet found to reduce weight, release toxins, reduce oxidative stress

When it comes to putting on muscle and gaining mass in general, studies have shown that it may be helpful to have a high-protein diet, one that gives the body the right amount of nutrients it needs in order to build muscle while also keeping the total number of calories in check. Now a new study conducted by exercise scientist Paul Arciero sheds some light on how such a diet affects those who are aiming for overall weight loss.

According to Arciero, a health and exercise sciences professor at Skidmore College, a high-protein, low-calorie balanced diet can be beneficial in achieving long-term weight loss goals, as well as in releasing toxins from the body’s fat stores. And all of this is in addition to the reduction of oxidative stress and enhancement of heart health that also occurs with such a diet in place.

Arciero’s research is said to be the latest in a long line that explores the benefits of a so-called “protein-pacing” caloric restriction diet (PC-R), which cuts down on the number of calories taken in from four to six meals per day, each of which containing 20 to 25 grams of protein. The participants in Arciero’s study also engaged in what is called Intermittent Fasting (IF).

The results of Arciero’s research, which can be found in the latest edition of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, are laid out in full through a study titled, “Serum Polychlorinated Biphenyls Increase and Oxidative Stress Decreases with a Protein-Pacing Caloric Restriction Diet in Obese Men and Women.” Its publication marks the third time in recent months that Arciero’s findings on the impact of a P-CR diet have been reported.

In his research, Arciero was able to compare the results of the P-CR diet between obese men and women who were on a 12-week weight loss diet. At the same time, he compared these P-CR diet results with those who were on a so-called heart-healthy diet that lasted 52 weeks. He found that the 12-week P-CR diet was just as effective at reducing body weight, oxidative stress, arterial stiffness, and even increasing toxin release in both men and women. After the full 52-week phase, the P-CR diet showed vast improvements over the conventional heart-healthy diet when it came to maintaining weight less, reducing artery stiffness, and releasing toxins.

Based on his research results, Arciero concluded that a P-CR diet does not increase disease markers. In fact, it can aid in detoxification and also reduce oxidative stress. All of this goes a long way towards reducing any fears about toxins in the bloodstream causing serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other hormone disruptions.

“Although weight loss typically leads to improved health, we know that in those who are overweight and obese – and, therefore, storing excessive toxins – there is the potential for the release of toxins to impact the body in negative ways,” Arciero explained. “We wanted to capture the release of those toxins and the body’s response.”

Based on his research findings, Arciero was able to show that it’s not just what your diet consists of that matters; the quality of your diet means a lot as well. “Through diet alone, we can favorably impact the detoxification process, decrease oxidative stress levels, reduce blood vessel stiffness and enhance weight loss.” To him, this is an important public health message that makes all the effort that went into his research worth it.

Sources include:

Newswise.com

ScienceDaily.com