High Protein Diets For Weight Loss example essay topic

Nutritional Assessment of The Atkins Diet Mary is a 20 year old college student who is 5'5" tall and weighs 165. Her friend at exercise class tells her about a new diet called The Atkins Diet. Will this weight-loss plan work for Mary? Answer the following questions to help determine the correct answer to this.

Does the diet meet all nutritional needs except energy? Explain. (4 points) No. The Atkins Diet encourages dieters to significantly reduce carbohydrate intake and therefore deprives the body of it,'s most vital energy source- glucose. By reducing the amount of carbohydrates that can be consumed, the diet restricts nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are essential to a healthy body.

By omitting certain foods, such as fruits and grains, the Atkins diet boast a diet that is deficient in such major nutrients as dietary fiber and carbohydrates, as well as in selected vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, which help reduce the risk of disease. The Atkins Diet suggests finding these nutrients in supplements, which is a rather expensive and unhealthy way to get nutrients that can otherwise be found naturally found in foods. Does the plan offer a reasonable rate of weight loss? Explain. (3 points) No, The Atkins Diet does not offer a reasonable rate of weight loss. The induction phase of the Atkins Diet shifts the body into the harmful metabolic state of ketosis where the body relies on stored fat for energy.

The Atkins diet suggest that a person should lose between 5 to 10 pounds in the first two weeks of induction. A healthy diet should show moderate losses in weight rather than some ^aEURoemiracle. ^aEUR It took longer than two weeks to acquire the amount of stored fat the body has and should therefore take longer than two weeks to burn it off. It is harmful to lose that much weight in that short of a time period. Will she be losing muscle or fat? Support your answer. (5 points) If Mary chose to follow the Atkins diet, she would be losing some fat, but also a large amount of muscle.

By allowing the body to enter a state of ketosis, Mary,'s body breaks down stored fat to supply energy. The negative side of this is that ketosis can lead to muscle breakdown also. By using the body,'s allotted amount of protein for energy, it reduces the amount of protein available for it,'s essential duties (muscle repair, rebuilding, etc). Also, a large amount of the weight loss Mary will experience will be as a result of fluid loss. Carbohydrates are vital for fat metabolism. By restricting the intake of carbohydrates to an inadequate amount, the body is unable to completely metabolize fats, which defeats the whole principle of burning fat by using the Atkins Diet.

Can we predict excess fluid loss to be part of the weight loss on this diet? Explain. (4 points) Yes, excess fluid loss would be expected as a result of the Atkin,'s diet because high protein intake induces frequent urination. Consequently, a large amount of the weight loss Mary will experience will be as a result of fluid loss.

This is proved by an article that the American Heart association published that states ^aEURoeweight loss that occurs as a result of a high-protein / low -carbohydrate diet is likely to be mostly water weight. ^aEUR This is harmful not only because body fluids are essential to the body,'s maintenance of homeostasis, but also because increased urination causes the body to excrete essential vitamins an nutrients such as calcium. Excess fluid loss from the Atkins diet can be largely attributed to the induction of ketosis. Ketosis prevents the body from breaking down fats into water and carbon dioxide, which is essential to a healthy metabolism. By taking in too much protein, the body reacts by trying to excrete the large amounts of nitrogenous waste and Can we predict any biochemical imbalance from this intake? Explain. (5 points) Yes, biochemical imbalance can be predicted from the principle behind the Atkins diet.

If Mary decided to use the Atkins Diet, she will be taking in too much protein therefore affecting her nitrogen balance. Although Mary will be in positive nitrogen balance, she will be excreting a large amount of the excess protein she takes in. This will result in the body,'s continued strain of excreting the nitrogen waste. This will cause her to excrete more fluids than her body takes in. This will negatively affect her body,'s state of homeostasis. Ketosis is another imbalance that will result from the Atkins diet.

Is the diet based on scientifically sound principles? Explain. (3 points) No, the Atkins diet has many negative affects and is not based on scientifically sound principles. First, the Atkins diet calls for too much protein and fat and inadequate amounts of carbohydrates. The brain and nervous system prefer glucose found in carbohydrates to function.

The Atkins diet suggest taking in no more than 60 grams of carbohydrates, while 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrates are required to prevent ketosis. When the body goes into ketosis, it produces ketones, which suppress appetite, but they also cause fatigue, nausea, and a potentially dangerous fluid loss. By inducing the body into ketosis, the body is forced to run off of energy that is supplied by proteins and fats. The Atkins diet suggests that dieters should avoid starches and dietary fibers that not only help to reduce the negative effects of fats, but also are vital to a healthy digestive tract.

Atkins meals found the diet was not only high in protein and low in carbohydrates, but very high in saturated fat and cholesterol, very low in fiber, and below the recommended daily values for several vitamins and minerals. Studies show that diets excessive in animal meats and high in protein, are linked to osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, and renal disease, and pose particular dangers for people with diabetes. Lastly, the Atkins diet suggest taking supplements to acquire the essential vitamins and nutrients that would otherwise be found by eating a balanced diet. Rather than avoiding essential food groups that contain carbohydrates like the Atkins diet suggest, Mary should follow the food guide pyramid and take in more complex carbohydrates rather than ^aEURoeempty calories^aEUR such as those found in colas.

Does it include an exercise component? Yes or No (1 point) No, The Atkins diet does not mention exercise in it,'s formula to burn fat. Exercise is vital to optimal health and should be implemented in everyone,'s life and especially in lives of those who are trying to lose weight. Does it address the other aspects of overeating so that Mary can make changes in her eating habits and lifestyle that will encourage achieving and maintaining a healthy weight?

Explain why this might be important. (5 points) No, the Atkins diet does not address other aspects of overeating that Mary can avoid to maintain a healthy weight. Even at the maintenance stage of the Atkins Diet, an inadequate amount of carbohydrate intake, and excessive amounts of fats and proteins are suggested. The high protein, high fat diet that is suggested by the Adkins diet is not the solution that Mary needs to her weight problem, and further increases the risk of many diseases. Mary should engage in a diet that consists of eating a high-fiber diet that replaces simple carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates like whole wheat, brown rice, fruits, vegetables, and legumes in their natural forms.

This, along with a diet of adequate amounts of healthy fats and proteins, and excercise should optimize Mary,'s health and reduce her risk of disease, therefore providing her with a long term solution to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. the plan Atkins states we can change our metabolism and lose weight easily simply by eating foods high in protein and fat and limiting foods high in carbohydrate. Consuming a high level of carbohydrates causes overproduction of insulin, Dr. Atkins says, leading to increased hunger and weight gain. Carbohydrates are limited to only 15 to 60 grams per day, while protein and fat are highly encouraged. Read an excerpt from Dr. Atkins' new book Try one day on the diet Read Nancy's Atkins Success Story upside ^aEURc Many people like being able to eat as much protein and fat as they wish, since these foods are often restricted in more traditional diet plans. ^aEURc For people who have tried a low-fat, high-carbohydrate weight loss plan without success, increasing protein in their diet often results in decreased food cravings and more rapid weight loss. ^aEURc The diet is relatively easy to follow; there are no complicated meal plans downside ^aEURc Any diet that limits carbohydrate causes the body to rely on fat or muscle for energy. When our body breaks down stored fat to supply energy, a byproduct called ketones are formed. Ketones suppress appetite, but they also cause fatigue, nausea, and a potentially dangerous fluid loss.

Anyone with diabetes, heart, or kidney problems should NOT follow a diet that promotes the formation of ketones, including the Atkins plan. ^aEURc Eating unlimited amounts of fat, especially saturated fat found in meat products, can lead to increased risk of heart disease. duration tics say meat-heavy, high-protein eating patterns -- such as that espoused by Atkins -- are linked to osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, and renal disease. An analysis of sample Atkins meals found the diet was not only high in protein and low in carbs, but very high in saturated fat and cholesterol, very low in fiber, and below the recommended daily values for several vitamins and minerals. The American Heart Association (AHA) does not recommend high-protein diets for weight loss. According to the AHA, diets like the Atkins system aren't proven effective for long-term weight loss. They point out that these diets restrict healthy foods that provide essential nutrients. The AHA asserts that most Americans already eat more protein and fat than their bodies need, and eating a high-protein, high-fat diet raises the risk of many types of disease.

Dr. Dean Ornish espouses a middle-of-the-road approach to dieting. He states high-protein diets may work in the short term because some of their principles are accurate. Americans do eat too many simple carbohydrates like sugar, white flour, and white rice, according to Ornish. The body absorbs simple carbs quickly, causing blood sugar to spike and provoking an insulin response that speeds the conversion of calories to fat. Reducing sugar and processed grains can aid in weight loss. Ornish proposes eating a high-fiber diet that replaces simple carbohydrates with complex carbs like whole wheat, brown rice, fruits, vegetables, and legumes in their natural forms.

AtkinsDietAlert. org is brought to you by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a leading advocate for preventive medicine, especially good nutrition. PCRM has been speaking out about the dangers of high-protein diets since its founding in 1985. Studies show that meat-heavy, high-protein eating patterns are, over the long run, linked to osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, and renal disease, and pose particular dangers for people with diabetes. Given the seriousness of these health risks, and the strength of the scientific evidence currently available, PCRM hopes this Web site will encourage people to be wary of high-protein diets and to choose healthier options.

PCRM is also concerned about possible legal liability for doctors who prescribe these diets. If you are a health care practitioner, please read our physician advisory an By Jill St. Ambrosio The arguments for and against high-protein / low -carbohydrate diets, such as Dr. Atkins, New Diet Revolution, continue to be debated. Proponents report that by limiting carbohydrate intake the body burns stored fat. The philosophy is that high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets force the body into a fasting state called ketosis, which may bring about quick weight loss.

During the two-week induction phase of Dr. Atkins' diet, only pure proteins are allowed. Pure proteins include meat, fish and shellfish, poultry, and eggs, along with pure fats such as butter, olive oil, and mayonnaise. No more than 20 grams of carbohydrates are allowed during this period, in the form of such vegetables as salad, asparagus, broccoli, and kale. No fruit, bread, grains, or starchy vegetables such as potatoes are allowed.

However, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), deliberately inducing ketosis can lead to muscle breakdown, dehydration, headaches, nausea, and kidney problems. Further, the AICR warns, "By omitting certain foods, and sometimes even entire food groups, these diets are deficient in such major nutrients as dietary fiber and carbohydrates, as well as in selected vitamins, minerals, and protective phytochemicals". To offset this deficiency, the Atkins Diet requires the addition of vitamin and mineral supplements. Heart association concerned All carbohydrates are not equal.

Their primary function is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. Complex carbohydrates - starches - are those found in such foods as whole grain breads, pasta, cereal, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. Simple carbohydrates - sugars - are those found in sweets and white flour. The American Heart Association (AHA) has published a position statement against high-protein diets. An article in the AHA journal Circulation published on October 9, 2001, explains that weight loss that occurs as a result of a high-protein / low -carbohydrate diet is likely to be mostly water weight. The AHA states: "High-protein diets may be associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease...

When diets high in protein are severely limited in carbohydrates, food choices become restrictive and overall nutrient adequacy and long-term palatability are also of concern. Successful weight loss occurs most frequently when a nutritionally adequate diet that allows for caloric deficits... is tailored according to individual food preferences. A minimum of 1,200 calories per day for women and 1,500 calories per day for men should be provided... Over the long term, diet should be consistent with a balanced eating plan that supports weight maintenance and lowers chronic disease risk". The appeal of early weight loss may help dieters to continue to limit their carbohydrate intake, and this may account for continued weight loss. However, the safety and efficacy of these diets have not been documented in long-term studies.

What is known, is that by eating more protein over time than the body needs, particularly if the source is primarily animal protein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-the "bad" cholesterol) increases. Also, the excess protein increases the loss of urinary calcium, which may cause osteoporosis. Dietary tips from health leaders The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that the initial goal of any weight-loss program should be to reduce body weight by about 10 percent. If necessary, further weight loss can be achieved by continuing to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity. To cut down on calories, the NIH and the AHA suggest that eating smaller servings of all of the food groups is healthier over the long term than eliminating foods from specific groups. The AHA recommends that a healthy daily diet should include between 50 and 100 grams of protein, a minimum of 100 grams of complex carbohydrates (as opposed to the Atkins Diet, which suggests a maximum of 60 grams for weight maintenance, and no more than 20 grams per day in the early stages of the diet), and a total fat content comprising no more than 30 percent of your daily caloric intake.

The AHA also recommends five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day; these foods have a high nutrient-to-calorie ratio and are fiber-rich. Studies have shown that people who eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables are less likely to suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. By including five or more servings of fruits and vegetables along with other complex carbohydrates in one's daily diet, the fiber provides a feeling of fullness, therefore the tendency to eat more than is necessary is decreased. In comparison, the Atkins Diet allows no fruit during the two-week induction stage, and suggests that thereafter, one may slowly add five additional grams of carbohydrates, such as 1/4 cup of blueberries, an apple, grapefruit, or half an avocado into the daily diet each week.