High Protein Diet Can be Healthy

Ivanhoe Newswire
Tuesday, December 26, 2006; 12:00 AM

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- January is fast approaching, and that means it's time for many people to think about dieting again! But a new study gives you a little more to chew on. A high protein diet can be good for your heart.

When you think of a high protein diet, you may be thinking of steak, cheese and eggs. But researchers say that's part of the problem. Doctors from Harvard Medical School in Boston say they have an alternative to the old-fashioned, Atkins-style diets.

This new diet plan was one of several studied in the OmniHeart trial. The alternative high-protein diet includes eating high-protein foods that are lower in saturated fat from both plant and animal sources. For example, experts recommend eating chicken, fish, nuts, beans, whole-grain cereals and fat-free dairy products.

Investigators say a large study shows that this hearth-healthy high protein diet can lower harmful LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. Plus, as an added bonus, doctors say most successful diets have certain factors in common including an emphasis on whole-grains, fruits and vegetables.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Harvard Health Publications: Healthy Eating: A Guide to the New Nutrition