As weʼve mentioned elsewhere on this site, Healthwise wants to provide you and your practice not only with great products, but great guidance as well. Here we put your questions to experts.

The question below is answered by Deeya Brooks, M.D., who has been a provider of Bariatric Medicine at St. Vincent Hospitals & Health Services in Carmel, Indiana since 2004. Dr. Brooks is Board certified by American Board of Family Practice and by American Board of Bariatric Medicine.

Question: I recently began a low calorie diet and have heard that I should be supplementing with extra protein. Is this true? If so, what are the benefits of adding extra protein to my diet?

Dr. Brooks responds: Protein plays a major role in the structure and function of the body. It is an important structural component of cells, hair and nails. It is an integral part of skin, bones, muscles, blood and connective tissue. Without adequate protein, our immune systems wouldn't function properly and our bodies would have difficulty producing adequate hormone levels. In fact, every metabolic function that occurs in the body depends upon the presence of proteins called enzymes.

Even when not dieting, the proteins that make up our muscles are constantly being turned over. As our caloric intake decreases, the body will begin using these proteins from our muscles to meet its energy needs. Ideally, during dieting, the goal is not just weight loss, but rather fat loss and muscle maintenance or gain. For this to occur, our overall caloric intake must decrease while maintaining adequate protein consumption. It must be noted, also, that in order to build muscle mass while dieting, weight bearing exercise is a mandatory part of the dieter's overall regimen.

As muscle mass increases, so does one's resting metabolic rate. This, in turn, allows the body to burn more calories during rest, regular activities of daily living and with exercise. Another benefit to a proportional increase in dietary protein is the increased satiety it provides. Gram for gram, protein tends to satisfy and decrease hunger better than either fats or carbohydrates. This helps improve a dieter's chances of success by reducing the chronic hunger that so often comes with calorie reduction.

Recommended amounts of protein vary depending upon one's age, gender and current fitness and activity levels. The suggested range begins at 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of lean body weight per day to upwards of 1-1.5 grams per kilogram of lean body weight for the very seasoned and muscular athletes. As one begins dieting, a positive nitrogen balance can easily be maintained with the addition of supplemental protein in the form of protein bars or shakes. This is a very good way to ensure adequate protein while keeping total calories low.

Sometimes people are concerned about consuming too much protein. Typically, this is not a problem unless one is on a low carbohydrate diet and consuming most of his or her calories in protein. With a moderate increase in protein intake, a healthy body is easily able to eliminate the extra nitrogen metabolites through the urine in the form of urea. Of course, patients with known or suspected kidney disease should consult their physician, as this excess elimination of urea is thought to put an extra load on the kidneys. Additionally, there has been some concern that too much protein may also cause a loss of net calcium in the body, possibly leading to a decrease in bone mineral density. However, a daily calcium supplement is generally sufficient to maintain recommended dietary levels.

Protein has the unique ability to stave off hunger pangs and decrease the amount of food consumed. It helps preserve lean body mass and increases total calories burned. These properties are instrumental not only in losing weight, but also in keeping it off permanently.

The above information is not intended to replace qualified medical supervision. Before starting on any diet plan, consult your physician.