SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A physicians group says the trendy low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets are dangerous -- and can even be deadly.

NBC11's Marianne Favro reported the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine says it has received many health complaints from people on the diet -- ranging from kidney problems to heart disease.

The Atkins plan is the most popular. It's named after Dr. Robert Atkins, who made the low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet a national phenomenon.

But the physicians group is urging people to steer clear of it and others like it.

"We are recommending that individuals seeking to lose weight should choose a diet that focuses on the type of food they eat. Plant based foods are always going to be your healthier option," said Dr. Neal Barnard of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Other research suggests there is no problem with those diets, but many experts agree more studies need to be done.