People following a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet may be at higher risk of colon cancer, says a new study, due to changes in the colon.
High-protein, "low-carb" diets advocate eating foods heavy in saturated fat like bacon, eggs, red meat, and dairy, but avoiding high-carbohydrate foods, such as bread, pasta, grains, and fruit.
This is in stark contrast to traditional diet advice, which recommends eating fewer animal products and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
For the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers put 17 obese men on three-short term diets.
The first diet was a one week plan that allowed 360 grams of carbohydrates each day and included foods like eggs and toast for breakfast; a sandwich and salad for lunch; and pasta with fish or soy for dinner.
Diet number two, a four week plan, allowed a meager 22 grams of carbs per day; bacon and eggs for breakfast; lunch and dinner consisted of meals high in meat, poultry, fish, and some cheese and vegetables.
The last diet, a "moderate-carbohydrate" diet, allowed only 181 grams of carbs each day for four weeks; both high-protein diets totaled less than 140 grams of protein every day.
After each diet, scientist collected fecal samples from the men and analyzed levels of specific metabolic byproducts; finding when eating a high-protein diet, men had higher levels of N-nitroso, and other compounds linked to cancer. Additionally, samples showed lower levels of compounds that help reduce the risk of cancer.
However, the scientists aren't sure how these results will affect a person's long-term health, but suggest being cautious before adopting any diet that is so low in dietary fiber. Meat does not contain fiber. Health experts recommend adults consume 28 grams of fiber per day.
Low-carb diets climbed to fame in 1972 when Dr. Robert Atkins published Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution promoting the consumption of high-fat foods for weight-loss and challenging the low-fat approach.
Since then, many other books have been written advocating more meat for better health, claiming human ancestors were primarily hunters and consumed mostly meat. But this opinion remains controversial and not widely accepted.
In previous years, the American Heart Association has cooled in its criticism of low-carb diets; acknowledging low-carbohydrate diets offer some benefit in treating conditions like metabolic syndrome.
Image credit: dreilinger
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