High-protein diets, often called “Paleolithic” or “paleo” diets, are popular for their ability to help with weight loss and manage diabetes.
However, recent research from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) shows that these diets may come with significant risks.
Using mouse models, scientists found that while paleo diets can regulate weight and stabilize diabetes, they can also lead to dangerous health issues.
The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, highlights the need for caution when following such diets.
Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem, largely due to sedentary lifestyles and rich diets. People with this condition struggle to control their blood sugar levels because their pancreas is damaged. While treatments can help manage diabetes, they don’t cure it.
“Diets rich in animal and/or plant proteins, known as paleo diets, can help stabilize type 2 diabetes and control weight,” explains Pierre Maechler, a professor at UNIGE who led the research.
These diets are based on the meat-heavy diets of our pre-agricultural ancestors. However, the impact of these diets on the body was unclear, so the researchers set out to investigate.
When the body breaks down protein, it produces ammonium as a waste product. The liver usually eliminates ammonium with the help of an enzyme called glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH).
However, if there is too much protein, the liver struggles to keep up. To understand this better, Maechler’s team studied healthy mice and mice that lacked the GDH enzyme, feeding them a high-protein diet similar to a paleo diet.
In healthy mice, the liver managed the excess protein thanks to the GDH enzyme, which detoxified the ammonium.
However, in mice without the GDH enzyme, the liver couldn’t eliminate the excess ammonium. Even a few days of high-protein diet led to significant health problems.
The study found that a dysfunctional GDH enzyme can lead to harmful levels of ammonium in the body.
Ammonium that isn’t eliminated by the liver can cause severe health issues, particularly neurological disorders.
In extreme cases, it can even lead to a coma. A simple blood test could check for GDH activity to determine if a person can safely follow a high-protein diet.
“Our results suggest that people with a deficient GDH enzyme should be cautious about high-protein diets,” says Maechler. “It’s important to be well-informed before starting such a diet.”
This research underscores the importance of understanding your body’s ability to handle high-protein diets before making dietary changes.
While paleo diets can help with weight loss and diabetes management, they can also pose serious health risks if your liver can’t handle the extra protein.
Always consult with a healthcare professional and consider a blood test to check GDH activity before starting a high-protein diet. Your health and safety should always come first.
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