Big question: why does increasing protein increase weight loss?

Why does increasing protein increase weight loss?  Seems illogical: if I need to decrease calories to lose weight , that increasing protein whi*****reases calories would bring about weight loss?  Anyone know the reason?  I get that this is a syllogism, but I was hoping someone might know the science, so I can trust this idea because I have a real problem when I see the calories go up.  Thanks.

 Protein aids in muscle repair and the development of lean muscle mass
Each lb of muscle burns 50 calories a day versus each pound of fat only burning 5 calories a day
The greater your lean muscle mass, the more calories you burn just by being alive.
You want to sustain your muscle mass as your rapidly losing weight, so protein is essential. As you increase your exercise, esp weight lifting, your protein needs increase. It becomes less about the amount of calories and more about the types of calories.

loved the explaination.

Is that why / how your protein lvls can go down ? I mean if you are exercising and eating the same amount of protein wouldn't your protein lvls decrease? 

Thanks for the update on how increasing protein helps weight loss as I was thinking the same thing.

Granny

 You absolutely need more protein when you exercise. You're using those muscles more so they are in greater need for repair. Protein is like a healing balm for your muscles.

I was/am under a orthopedic doc and physical therapist care, and with my HMO, Kaiser have consultations with a nutritionist. I was told that when I increase my exercise, I need to increase my caloric intake, with protein, and my fluid intake to protect and heal tiny tears in the muscle structure itself.

I started out barely moving due to an injury and severe arthritis. Now, after losing 100 pounds and exercising first 2 days a week, then three.... walking for one minute, then two, then three.... work out at Curves 4 to 5 days a week, and am allowed to walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes at a time.

I always eat some protein either right before or right after I exercise -- string cheese, almonds, beef jerky are my current favorites.

All I can say is, the advice has worked for me !!!

I've been wondering something similar.  I haven't been to the nutrition class yet b/c I haven't reached the approval stage.  I'm sure a lot will become clearer once I do that.  Plus I'm ordering some books. 

What I really don't understand is why a balanced diet (similar to the FDA's recomendations) with reduced portions wouldn't be the post-op diet - with the sleeve serving to help me reduce the portions.  It sounds like the post-op diet really needs to be more like the initial phase of the South Beach diet in order for us to have longterm success.  I admit that I'm still coming to terms with the thought of losing fruit for snacking. 

I admit I'm concerned about constipation.  At the moment, when I cut down on fruits and veggies and high fiber grains and I increase the protien, I end up constipated. 

Purplepeace gave an excellent reply, but here's another piece of the puzzle.
Protein is crucial due to how fast you're dropping weight. If you don't maintain/increase
your protein levels, it's common to lose muscle mass along with fat. Increasing protein levels protects our muscles and assures that we're ONLY losing fat and not our important muscle muscle mass! This is why during the losing phase protein is key. Once you're in maintanace, you can eat a little more balanced, but protein will always be the focus for us.

Heidi

All my doctor had to tell me was that if I didn't eat enough protein I was at greater risk for losing hair.  With that info, I hit my protein goal every day.  I love Pure Protein shakes in a can - it makes it easy to hit my goal.

Thanks for posting this response. I will definitely hit my protein goals from now on.