Not so long ago, high protein diets were all that the rage. There were opposing viewpoints with regard to these diets, however. One side claimed that high protein diets were unhealthy, while the other declared them the saving grace of the dieting industry. Unfortunately, the high protein diets popularized at that time were not as healthy as they should have been. The long-term effects of these diets are just now being realized by former followers. There were also several theories that came about, some that have been debunked and some that just will not die. For instance, the myth that protein causes osteoporosis is one that originates from these high protein diets of the past.