Chapter 35, Problem 20A

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The health risk associated with long term intake of food high in fats and proteins(low carbohydrate diet).

Introduction:

Nutrition is defined as the process of taking and utilizing food for the building blocks, energy and to maintain body mass. The low-carbohydrate diet is recommended for diabetic patients who require the intake of such foods concerning their blood sugar levels. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of having a low-carbohydrate diet that usually means high-fats and high-protein diets. The major advantages of a low-carbohydrate diet are being a restriction of refined carbohydrates like jams and jellies, thus controlling insulin and blood sugar levels and also aids in weight loss. There also can be a number of advantages of extensively having a high-fat and high-protein diet which are discussed in the later section.

Explanation of Solution

The major drawbacks of undergoing a low-carb/high-fat, high-protein diet is probably the elimination of all or most of the carbohydrates and thus affecting the energy supplies of the body. The high protein diets create a stress condition for the kidneys, and may seriously affect some patients with kidney problems causing the release of more calcium ions through urine (resulting in osteoporosis). Whereas, the diet low in carbs causes ketosis, in which the body gets most of its fuel requirement from the fats and also causes bad breath. Finally, the diets rich in fats can cause an increase in cholesterol levels of the body implementing a risk of coronary heart disease to the person on such a diet.

Conclusion

The long-term intake of foods high in fats and proteins and low in carbs can cause various health risks from acute to chronic including ketosis, constipation, coronary heart disease, diminished cancer prevention, high cholesterol levels, the strain on kidney causing malfunction, and osteoporosis etcetera.