This is one of the rapid responses to BMJ on the issue.
High protein diet is not unhealthy  25 August 2002Barry A Groves,


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    The claim that protein intake leads to kidney stones is a popular myth
that is not supported by the facts. Although protein restricted diets are
helpful for people who already have kidney disease, eating meat does not
cause kidney problems.(1) Indeed, the fat-soluble vitamins and saturated
fatty acids found in animal foods are essential for properly functioning
kidneys.(2)
That protein intake adversely affects bone strength is another popular myth.
When studies were done with people eating meat with its fat, no calcium loss
was detected, even over a long period of time.(3) Other studies confirmed
that meat eating did not adversely affect calcium balance (4) and that
protein actually promotes stronger bones.(5)
But current low-carb diets should not be thought of as high-protein. They are
normal-protein, with carbs replaced by fats for energy, they are - or should
be - high fat.
Barry Groves, PhD Independent research Author of Eat Fat, Get Thin!
References 1. Dwyer JT, Madans JH, Turnbull B, Cornoni-Huntley J, Dresser C,
Everett DF, Perrone RD. Diet, indicators of kidney disease, and late
mortality among older persons in the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study.
Amer J of Pub Health, 1994, 84:(8): 1299-1303. 2. Enig M. Saturated fats and
the kidneys. Wise Traditions, 2000, 1:3:49. Posted at
http://www.westonaprice.org. 3. Spencer H, Kramer L. Factors contributing to
osteoporosis. J Nutr, 1986, 116:316-319; Further studies of the effect of a
high protein diet as meat on calcium metabolism. Amer J Clin Nutr., 1983,
37:6: 924-9. 4. Hunt JR, Gallagher SK, Johnson LK, Lykken GI. High- versus
low-meat diets: Effects on zinc absorption, iron status, and calcium, copper,
iron, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, and zinc balance in
postmenopausal women. Amer J Clin Nutr, 1995, 62:621-32; Spencer H, Kramer L,
Osis D.. Do protein and phosphorus cause calcium loss? J Nutr
1988;118:657-60. 5. Cooper C, Atkinson EJ, Hensrud DD, Wahner HW, O'Fallon
WM, Riggs BL, Melton LJ 3rd.. Dietary protein and bone mass in women. Calcif
Tiss. Int., 1996, 58:320-5.

Namaste, Liz
<A HREF="http://www.csun.edu/~ecm59556/Healthycarb/index.html">
http://www.csun.edu/~ecm59556/Healthycarb/index.html</A>