Studies have found that a diet high in protein may actually damage your brain cells. In one, meat consumption was associated with a 300 percent increase in the risk of dementia. This could be due to pesticides dissolved in the animal’s fat or the high amounts of protein, which contain glutamate, the amino acid that causes excitotoxicity.
High-protein diets, which are often high in saturated fat, increase the risk of a number of diseases, including heart attack and stroke. For information on the signs of stroke and steps you can take to protect yourself, read my report "Cut Your Risk of a Deadly Stroke."
One of the leading experts in excitotoxicity found that eating a diet high in meat increased blood glutamate levels. The levels were 100 percent higher if the person had a neurodegenerative disease. Meat is naturally high in glutamate, especially beef and other red meats. The juices are especially high in glutamate. You can take steps to keep dangerous foods from your diet by reading my special report "How to Avoid Poisonous Foods."
Because glutamine is converted into glutamate in the brain, I would advise against taking glutamine supplements. Studies have shown that high glutamine intake does indeed increase excitotoxicity, especially in people with a neurodegenerative disease. Some nutritionists advocate taking glutamine to repair the GI tract, but recent studies have shown this is not effective.
I also recommend avoiding protein drinks, protein bars and other forms of concentrated proteins and isolated amino acid mixtures. Body builders are at risk because they consume these protein supplements in huge amounts. High-protein diets also accelerate aging and damage the kidneys.
How can you protect your brain? I am convinced that the flavonoids constitute one of the most powerful groups of naturally occurring protective nutrients. I have written a number of papers on the benefit of these plant nutrients in protecting the brain, specifically against excitotoxicity. Find more details on how you can use these natural gifts of nature to keep your brain sharp by reading my report "Save Your Brain."
In addition, I believe vegetable juice is the best way to protect the brain, as well as prevent cancer and protect other organs. Rather than juicing, I recommend blenderizing whole vegetables to utilize all of the many phytochemicals in plants.
If you still think you want to try a high-protein diet, keep in mind that numerous studies have shown that although many people lose weight quickly, the loss isn't permanent. As soon the diet ends, most people begin packing on the pounds. So, skip the high-protein diets in favor of a balanced, healthy program to lose weight. Not only will your brain thank you, so will your bathroom scale.
For healthy ways to lose weight and keep it off, discover the weight-loss secrets in my report "The Fat Cure: Health Secrets to Losing Weight Permanently."
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