Dangerous Fad Diets
Brenda Holden
Mrs. Oss
English Comp 1
1 February 2011
Dangerous Fad Diets Fad diets today continue to increase in popularity all America. They are popular due to the fact that they work in the short-term, meaning the results of one’s weight loss show immediately in abundant amounts. However, the diets do not work long-term because they are hard to follow, and once an individual stops the fad diet, they will usually gain the weight back. They seem restrictive in calories or exclusive in certain types of foods. Many fad diets can be dangerous, especially when they deprive the body of essential nutrients or rely on excessive quantities of potentially harmful foods.
The Atkins Diet, one of the most popular fad diets, is found to be dangerous in many ways. It is a diet that involves serious restriction of carbohydrates and increasing protein and fat calories. Due to the increase in the dieter’s fat intake, there is an increase buildup of plaque in the blood vessels that supply the heart; therefore, the chance of heart disease is very high. Consuming to much protein puts strain on the kidneys, which can make a person susceptible to kidney disease. A dieter’s body will also miss out on vital nutrients supplied by fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This could lead to vitamin deficiencies.
Another threatening fad diet is the Lemonade Diet Master Cleanse. This diet claims to dissolve and eliminate toxins, and melt fat at an average of two pounds per day for most dieters. This regimen is a fasting diet and consists of a mix of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and purified water for 10 to 40 days and beyond. The danger involves severe calorie restriction. Also, water loss and dehydration are the results due to the laxative effects. The laxative effect of the diet will further acidify the individual’s blood and this can cause an abnormal increase in the acidity of the blood and extracellular fluids, known as acidosis. Dr. Marc
Mrs. Oss
English Comp 1
1 February 2011
Dangerous Fad Diets Fad diets today continue to increase in popularity all America. They are popular due to the fact that they work in the short-term, meaning the results of one’s weight loss show immediately in abundant amounts. However, the diets do not work long-term because they are hard to follow, and once an individual stops the fad diet, they will usually gain the weight back. They seem restrictive in calories or exclusive in certain types of foods. Many fad diets can be dangerous, especially when they deprive the body of essential nutrients or rely on excessive quantities of potentially harmful foods.
The Atkins Diet, one of the most popular fad diets, is found to be dangerous in many ways. It is a diet that involves serious restriction of carbohydrates and increasing protein and fat calories. Due to the increase in the dieter’s fat intake, there is an increase buildup of plaque in the blood vessels that supply the heart; therefore, the chance of heart disease is very high. Consuming to much protein puts strain on the kidneys, which can make a person susceptible to kidney disease. A dieter’s body will also miss out on vital nutrients supplied by fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This could lead to vitamin deficiencies.
Another threatening fad diet is the Lemonade Diet Master Cleanse. This diet claims to dissolve and eliminate toxins, and melt fat at an average of two pounds per day for most dieters. This regimen is a fasting diet and consists of a mix of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and purified water for 10 to 40 days and beyond. The danger involves severe calorie restriction. Also, water loss and dehydration are the results due to the laxative effects. The laxative effect of the diet will further acidify the individual’s blood and this can cause an abnormal increase in the acidity of the blood and extracellular fluids, known as acidosis. Dr. Marc