Weight Loss, Diets and Nutrition

Q. Is a High protein diet bad for your kidneys?

A. A diet which is too high in protein like the Atkins diet, which forces you into a ketotic (acidic) state is very bad for your kidneys and overall health. The main problem when it comes to kidney related disorders is dehydration. A high protein diet like Atkins is very dehydrating. Eating too much sodium (from processed foods) is also dehydrating. However, where you have a balance of lean high quality protein, healthy unprocessed carbohydrates and raw fat, as with the KLEAN program, there is no problem. As long as you stay well hydrated, avoid processed foods and sodium, and eat some fiber in your diet, there is no issue. The KLEAN PROGRAM recommends that you consume at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight every day, in conjunction with raw fats and unprocessed carbohydrates.

Q. Can I eat too much protein?

A. Most American’s today are protein deficient. It is very difficult to eat too much protein. Some of the healthiest and fittest people in the world are natural body builders – because they are some of the leanest people in the world. And to give you an idea, they eat on average somewhere between 300 and 500 grams of pure lean protein every day – in the form of whey protein, chicken, white fish, tuna, salmon, egg whites etc. That is equivalent to approximately 20 chicken breasts per day. That is pretty difficult to ingest in a day for the average person. Even eating this amount of protein, along with sufficient water to avoid dehydration, there have been few cases of kidney dysfunction in my 22 years of training body builders – and any cases have been a symptom of dehydration, not excess protein.

Q. How does the Atkin’s diet lower cholesterol but still be a diet that is not good for you?

A. Atkins understands the biochemistry of the human body but misses in the application. His diet, being high in protein, controls the release of insulin to a minimum. Insulin is a major factor in raising cholesterol. So cholesterol does go lower significantly with some individuals on this diet. However because of the high content of saturated fat and low quality protein, with little to no carbohydrates for fiber, this diet is toxic, and – although the scales go down quickly – causes muscle loss and severe dehydration and general poor health.

Q. Do I have to avoid sodium?

A. We need approximately 18 times more potassium in our bodies than we need sodium, but most Americans have 18 times more sodium than potassium because of their diet of highly processed fast foods which are very high in sodium. Sodium causes retention of fluids in the body and increases blood pressure. There is no need to add sodium to any food – there is more than enough occurring naturally in food. Added sodium and all processed foods should be avoided if not eliminated.

Q. Do genetics play a significant part in weight/fat loss?

A. Bottom line: Genetics are no excuse for not losing fat and becoming lean and fit. Genetics play a part in a person’s metabolic rate, thyroid function which both impact on the body’s ability to burn fat efficiently. However, just because you have overweight parents does not mean you are destined to a lifetime of obesity and disease. This just means you have a little bit more work to do to train your body to burn fat more effectively. This means you can’t get away with cheating, or slacking off on exercise as much as others can. It means you have to be more disciplined to get results. But results do and will come, it just takes a little longer – but the same principles that apply to fat loss for others, will apply to you despite your genetic predisposition to being overweight or obese.