Dietary protein and energy expenditure: implications for the maintenance of a stable body weight

Since the 1960s, various fad diets have claimed that hypo-caloric, low carbohydrate diets containing a high amount of protein can facilitate weight loss by decreasing hunger and blunting the fall in total (TEE) and resting energy expenditure (REE) that frequently occurs during energy restriction and weight loss. Very few investigators however have measured TEE as well as, one or more of its components, when examining the effects of high-protein diets on energy expenditure and weight loss. [...]whether the claimed advantages of dietary protein on energy expenditure play a significant role in body weight loss or maintenance, remains unclear. Each of these studies fed subjects at a level to maintain energy balance and significant weight loss was not observed. [...]relationships between changes in energy expenditure and body weight could not be determined.