The effect of high-protein diets on coronary blood flow.

High-protein diets may reduce coronary blood flow and accelerate coronary artery disease progression.

This study examined the effect of high-protein diets on coronary artery disease and coronary blood flow. 26 patients undergoing treatment for coronary artery disease were studied for one year. 16 subjects were placed on a recommended dietary regimen and the remaining 10 patients were fed with high-protein diets during this period. Using echocardiography (ECHO), myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), and serial blood work, researchers assessed the viable myocardial segments, the extent and severity of coronary artery disease, and the fibrinogen, homocysteine, cholesterol, lipoprotein, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of each patient at the beginning and the end of the study.

Researchers discovered that subjects fed with high-protein diets experienced a degeneration in the condition of their coronary artery disease and an increase in serum levels of fibrinogen, homocysteine, cholesterol, lipoprotein, triglyceride, and C-reactive protein (CRP). On the other hand, patients placed on recommended diet showed a significant reduction in fibrinogen, homocysteine, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein and a marked improvement in myocardial wall function and coronary artery disease. These results provide strong evidence that high-protein diets may increase the severity of coronary artery disease.