Question:
IF I increase my protein will I lose more quickly?

I have only lost 26 lbs and am 6 weeks post op. I have posted what I eat before and most agree that I am not eating to much. I make my protein goal of 74 grams each day. But, I was wondering if I increased my protein would I lose more quickly? If so, how much should I increase it to?    — Stacie B. (posted on August 14, 2003)

August 14, 2003
The body is a complicated machine. So, the answer to your question is not easy. By "more protein" do you really "more protein and fewer carbs", or do you just mean more food? If you mean more food and calories, then your body will simply store whatever calories it doesn't use. If you mean more protein and fewer carbs, the affect on weight loss (and overall health) will depend on a number of things. One is your own personal level of insulin resistance (one explanation of why some people are more "carb sensitive" than others). Carbs elevate insulin resistance, which sets off a chemical reaction resulting in a message to the body to not only hold onto whatever fat it already has, but to store more. The consumption of protein sets off a different chemical reaction which results in a message telling the body to release fat. It is on this basis that diets weighted to protein (e.g Atkins, South Beach) work. However, given that, even if you ate more protein, your body will only use what it can, and store the rest as fat (or not burn as much fat because the intake/use deficit will be lower). I'm not an expert, but I'm thinking anything over about 80 grams of protein a day won't increase the reaction to burn fat, but will only get stored as excess calories. Also, remember that your body does NEED a certain amount of carbohydrates and other nutrients (and fiber) from fruits, whole grains and vegetables--no one lives on protein alone. The heart, brain and lungs rely on carbohydrates to run efficiently. So, don't increase your protein at the total expense of fruit/vegetable and whole grain carbs. A slight increase in your protein might be beneficial, but since you're near 80 grams a day anyway, I doubt it would be significant. I say, give the tool some time (everyone hits a mini-plateau in the early weeks, so at six weeks, I don't think you have a problem), up your exercise if you can (walking is very good for you physically, and promotes a fat-burning reaction if you walk at least two miles at a stretch), and be sure to get in all your water. I doubt that you could be doing anything wrong at this early point to interfere with the weight loss. It's great that you want to take advantage of window of opportunity to help the weight loss along, but to some degree it happens in its own time. Hang in there. Six weeks is a great start to relearning how to eat. I wish you much success.
   — Vespa R.

August 15, 2003
Stacie, you are such an early post-op, I wouldn't fret this early on. Not everyone is going to lose 100 pounds in a month (though we all want to!), and your body will let go of the weight when its ready. On your end, just do the right things, and it will happen at its own pace. The key here is "it will happen"! You can help it obviously by eating small frequent mostly protein based meals (keep that body fueled), no grazing, keep white carbs and sugars low or no, tons of water and regular exercise (heart pumping cardio burning types). If you want to give it a try, experiment and add a 25 gram protein shake a day to what you are already doing and see if you notice a difference.
   — Cindy R.