Tom Mount wrote:

> I would challenge Ken to produce evidence of kidney, liver or heart
> problems from a diet such as the zone or the protein power plan. 

Tom,

I really wish you wouldn't have done that. Now my life is going to be 
a little bit more difficult because I'm going to have to go and 
re-research the material to produce for you. Would producing one 
clinical study a day for the next month be helpful for you? Just tell 
me when to stop.

For today's installment I refer the reader to the "American Journal 
of Clinical Nutrition", Volume 51, Issue #5, May 1990. On page 723 is 
an article titled "Protein Requirements in Humans" by Peter L. 
Pellett. 

I'm just going to paraphrase part of it here, but on page 733 under 
the section "High Protein Intake" Dr. Pellett talks about how 
excessive protein intakes is widely known to produce kidney disease, 
and has been linked to osteoperosis, hypercalciuria, and calcium 
stones in the urinary tract (kidney stones).

I don't know about you, but I'd hate to suffer from any of these 
(especially the stones).

Then you write:

> At
> the same time it is easy to document reduced BP, more level sugar
> levels etc and you feel damn good.

Please document this. I would also like to see clinical studies done 
that prove this, and please don't quote the literature from "The 
Zone" or "Protein Power" or "Atkins New Diet Revolution". I challenge 
Tom Mount to provide these studies. ;-)

You then write:

> Arnold is no doubt having problems due to the steroids as they are known to
> cause, liver, kidney and heart problems.

Steroids are undoubtably a contributing cause, but would you be 
surprised to find out how LITTLE protein Arnold now recommends people 
to eat for body-building? I'll produce that quote for you (as well as 
his other comments about a high protein diet) from his book later on 
this month for you (unless you want me to stop ahead of time).

> If you follow a zone type diet you should be ok as it is not a high fat diet
> with a lot of water weight loss other than in the first week nor does it
> eliminate carbs, and only then if you fail to supplement with potassium. I
> actually use a higher protein and lower carb intake. The zone basically is
> 40% carbs 30% protein and 30 %fat

My understanding is the Zone is an offshoot of Atkins. Atkins 
recommends keeping your carbs to less then 30g a day, but "eat as 
much protein and fat as you can handle". This is not a healthy diet.

The proper solution is a well balanced diet. Increasing protein 
intake is not a bad thing (right now I'm trying to keep my protein 
level around 50% myself), but going on super high protein 
based ketogenic diets CAN and IS dangerous. You need to point this 
out right now and let people know the risks behind too much protein. 

In all honesty, I was surprised to find the osteoperosis thing, but 
my wife can probably provide me with more info. She worked for one of 
the leading researchers in the field of osteoperosis in the United 
States until he retired last year (she does bone density scanning).

> You do lose inches in places like the waist if you do hi protein, and you
> are pretty safe as long as you stay under 60% protein .

Tom, please tell me what happens when you go over 60%? Please please 
please???

> The protein power plan advocates 60% proteins and good quality fats, about
> 25% veggies and fruits and 15 % other carbs. I know that diet cause inches
> lost from the waist ,butt etc. and if you workout allows for no loss or
> gains on your arms chest etc.

60% proteins, 25% veggies, 15% carbs adds up to 100%. Where do the 
fats come in?

> You can do these diets, are as I do a variation of them either as a meat
> eater or a vegan.

My point is protein based ketogenic diets are dangerous. They can 
produce kidney disease, stones, and osteoperosis. I can provide 
clinical studies which show this. Can you provide me with clinical 
studies that show ketogenic diets are safe?

<stuff on exercise snipped>

I agree with you on exercise. You are right when you say people need 
to get off their lazy fat asses and do something (I believe you 
mentioned roller blading is one activity). I also agree, the more you 
do the more hooked you get. 

My point however is the best way to lose weight is to exercise and 
eat a well balanced diet. You contend that it's carbohydrates that 
cause too much weight gain, I contend it's bad eating habits and lack 
of exercise.

> Point in discussing my exercise routine was not to be a statement to see how
> dedicated Iam to training as it is not dedication it is an addiction and my
> type life style, but rather the point is that the type, not necessarily the
> quantity of the calories is the difference in a soud vs a diet that produces
> weight loss or gain. Do calories count maybe to a point but more important
> is the type of calories.

I'll agree with you on this 100%. I don't disagree that too many 
carbs can be bad. However, I contend that too much protein is bad 
too. The proper solution is balance. "Too much of anything is a good 
thing", didn't your mother ever tell you that? Maybe that's why you 
"shrunk up" (that one's for Dr. Rose ;-).

> The one study in France was interesting 3 groups same activity level (they
> did do a modest exercise program)
> total calories 1200 day (boy I would go nuts that is breakfast) 30 days
> group one all carbs  very small weight loss and some even gained weight
> group two all fat this group had the most dramatic weight loss but they also
> experienced  a loss in lean body (muscle) mass
> Group three all protein significant weight loss but each person had an
> increase in lean body(muscle) mass

Please tell me more about this "study in france". Who conducted it? 
Where are the results published? 

I've got a great health center library just a walk from my office and 
I can use something to look up tomorrow at lunch.

I'm not "bashing protein". I think it's a valuable nutrient, however 
I WILL contend that protein based ketogenic diets are bad for you and 
can cause serious bodily harm. Super high protein diets really will 
mess you up, there is a wealth of information (contrary to what you 
may think) on this subject matter. I strongly urge you to drive down 
to the University of Miami (hey it's a safer neighborhood then 
the one right there near Miami Shores, unless you go west of Red Road 
right by Hardee, then you better be packing a weapon) and read the 
article I referenced for you. I'll give you another one tomorrow.

> You be the judge, it is your bodies and your health, I think I have
> discovered what works for me.

It sounds like you've found a level of balance in your diet. That 
WORKS. I don't disagree. But high protein diets like Atkins and the 
Zone will cause serious damage to your kidneys in the long run (and 
apparently is linked to osteoperosis).

If people eat a balanced nutritious diet, and exercise regularly, 
there wouldn't be the health problem we have. However, the change in 
our lifestyle over the past 30 years has been to a "fast food 
society", which also includes "fast food".

I'd be curious to take a survey and find out how long it takes the 
average reader to eat a 6" sub at subways. Do they actually take the 
time to chew the food several times and taste it, or do they just 
take a couple of quick gobbles and it's gone in under 5 or 6 minutes? 
 
> Safe health to you
> Tom

You too Tom, oops almost time to go to the gym,

Ken
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