High protein diet can make you prone to heart attack at a young age, doctor warns

News Topical, Digital Desk : Nowadays, the obsession of staying fit dominates everyone. Going to the gym, taking protein supplements and following a high protein diet has become a common trend among youngsters. Protein is considered a 'superfood' for building muscles and losing weight, but have you ever thought that the protein which you consider a friend of your health can become an enemy of your heart at an early age? Yes, doctors are now warning about this.

Why are cases of heart attack increasing among youth?

Earlier, heart attack was considered a disease of old age, but nowadays even young people in their 20s, 30s and 40s are falling prey to it. There are many reasons for this, including stress, poor lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, obesity and unhealthy eating habits, but now a new and shocking reason is emerging - excessive protein intake, especially in the form of supplements

The connection between high protein diet and heart

Doctors and researchers believe that high protein intake, especially animal protein and certain protein supplements, may be harmful to heart health.

• Increase in cholesterol: Some animal protein sources are high in saturated fat, which can increase bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. This cholesterol gets deposited in the arteries and narrows them, which restricts blood flow and increases the risk of heart attack.
• Kidney stress: The kidneys have to work harder to digest protein. If you consume excessive protein for a long period of time, it can put extra pressure on your kidneys, leading to  kidney problems  that can indirectly affect the heart as well.
• Risk of acidosis: A high protein diet can increase acid levels in the body. This can disturb the body's pH balance, which can lead to a number of health problems, including heart problems.
• The dark truth of protein supplements: Many young gym goers consume excessive amounts of protein powder without consulting a doctor or dietician. Some research suggests that some protein powders and steroids available in the market can increase the risk of heart diseases. In one case, a young man almost suffered heart failure due to an overdose of protein supplements.

Sudden heart attack

According to the doctor, he has treated many 35-year-old 'fit' people who  had heart attacks  . They had no symptoms, no warning - just a ticking time bomb that could explode at any time. This teaches us that being athletic does not always mean being healthy. Low body fat does not mean low risk and a six-pack cannot protect you from plaque rupture (rupture of plaque deposited in the artery).

If your diet is damaging the inner lining (endothelium) of your blood vessels, it's of no use no matter how strong your biceps are.

What is the real mantra of health?

True health is not about going to extremes, but about balance. It is important to include a plant-based diet in your diet and get regular blood tests done. Your test results will tell you how healthy your body is from the inside. Therefore, instead of just looking fit from the outside, it is very important to pay attention to your heart health as well. Only a balanced diet can give you a long and healthy life.

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