High Protein Diet and the Pancreas

The pancreas is an organ that is involved in digestion and is most known for its role in releasing insulin and controlling blood sugar. There has been much research done to see the influence of a high-protein diet on the pancreas.

Ketosis

• Many use a high-protein diet to induce ketosis, a state which the body experiences when there is a surplus of ketone molecules in the blood stream. This is not dangerous for the body; the presence of ketones causes the body to run body processes more efficiently and effectively.

Less Sugar

• A high-protein diet is low in sugar because it eliminates carbohydrates. Carbohydrates turn to sugar and therefore, with no carbohydrates, there is far less sugar in a high-protein diet.

Glucagon

• When a diet is low in sugars, the pancreas forms glucagon, which is stored in muscles and the liver in times of need. A low-sugar diet will cause the liver to release stored sugars into the blood and utilize fats as body fuel.

Dangers

• The above processes have the potential to allow the liver to work past its own limitations and can be life threatening.

Risk of Cancer

• Limiting sugar, by limiting carbohydrates in a high-protein diet, reduces the occurrence of pancreatic cancer.

Controversy

• Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., a nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic, claims that high-protein diets are good for particular adults, but could create health complications for others. A high-protein diet is only healthy for a relatively short amount of time.