This “Healthy” Ingredient Causes Stroke, Heart Attack, and Weight Gain Most nutritionists will tell you this ingredient is essential and it should be used in high doses. Whole diet systems have even been designed to increase the consumption of this ingredient. In addition, it works in the short run to shed weight fast, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and improve type-2 diabetes, along with many other health benefits. However, a new study from Spain on the long-term effects of this substance completely contradicts the findings about its short-term benefits. In fact, this ingredient ultimately increases weight and raises your risk of dying from ALL diseases by 55% over the long haul. You might have heard of (or tried) popular diets like the Atkins, Paleo, and South Beach diets. They are based partly on replacing carbohydrates with high amounts of protein. However, a new study from Spain reveals that protein may not be the amazing diet staple that it has exaggerated to be. The study team analyzed data from more than 7,000 individuals aged 55 or older. While none of them had experienced stroke or heart attack, they all suffered from type-2 diabetes or had three or more of the following risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, obesity, or a family history of heart disease. The participants filled out questionnaires related to protein consumption for a period of five years. Those who ate the highest proportion of protein had a 90% higher risk of weight gain and a 66% greater risk of dying during the study period than those eating less protein. A Swedish study published in the British Medical Journal also suggests that women on high-protein diets were particularly at risk. Those consuming large amounts of protein were 28% more likely to develop stroke or heart attack. In fact, for every 20-gram decrease in carbohydrate intake and every 5gram increase in protein intake, the risk of developing heart disease increased by 5%. To make matters worse, high-protein diets are also linked to an increased risk of type-2 diabetes and many types of cancer. We actually need very little protein. Most reliable studies show that 55 grams for women and 85 grams for men daily is plenty. Almost everyone in the Western world gets an overload of his or her daily protein needs. The problem for most people is that they do not ingest enough of the essential nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. It is also important to make sure you get enough complex carbohydrates, in addition to upping vegetable intake. Complex carbohydrates are found in whole vegetables and grains. They are the opposite of the simple carbohydrates found in processed sugar or processed wheat-based foods. However, if you are going after weight loss, most people completely ignore one important nutrient. This substance alone will boost your weight loss like nothing else. Learn more here… To avoid stroke and heart attack, you must cut out one ingredient you did not even know you were consuming…