High-Protein Diets and Bad Breath
High-protein/low-carb diets are all the rage today. You can find one standing on every proverbial street corner promising quick and painless weight loss.
According to those who promote high-protein/low-carb diets, there is absolutely no reason why you have to eat any less. All you have to do is simply drastically decrease carb consumption while drastically increasing protein consumption. I’ve got to admit, that sounds like an excellent plan. I sure don’t want to have to eat less in order to lose weight, and I don’t know anybody who does.
Now, do not misunderstand me here. Many low-carb diets are not only very effective, but are also healthy. However, these low-carb diets aren’t necessarily high-protein diets. The good ones also promote portion control and total daily caloric intake based upon total daily caloric burn.
One of the most disgusting side effects of a high-protein diet is that it causes bad breath. I’m not talking about a little bad breath that can be controlled with a breath mint. I’m talking about bad breath that could stop a charging bull moose at 40 paces. I’m talking about really, really bad breath!
Ketosis is what occurs when the amount of carbohydrates consumed drops below a critical level. The drop forces the body to turn to protein first and then to fat reserves to do the work that carbohydrates normally do. Eating a high-protein/low-carb diet will cause ketosis. Ketosis produces really bad breath. It’s sometimes called “keto breath” or “acetone breath.” It doesn’t much matter what you call it — it is really bad breath than no amount of tooth brushing or mouth washing can overcome.
Low-carb/high-protein diets are very popular right now, but they aren’t the only weight loss diet choice. In my opinion, there are better choices.