Carbohydrates are Killing Us Softly
Thomas J. Engstrom
Western Governors University
WGU Student ID# 000529592
Carbohydrates are Killing Us Softly
The nutritional dietary consumption of carbohydrates is between 55-75% for the vast majority of the global population as their main source of food intake and energy. And the general populous continues to be misinformed by government agencies regarding what a normal, healthy diet, should be, as well as what a balanced diet looks like. Eating a low-carb high-fat, or ketogenic, diet of high fat, adequate protein and low carbohydrates can provide many health benefits as compared to the alternative of an unhealthy diet. Research suggests that a ketogenic diet builds a healthier body than
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Ketosis is the metabolic state that most of the body's energy supply comes from ketone bodies in the blood, contrasting to the state of glycolysis in which blood glucose provides most of the energy (Taubes, 2011, 140-141). Ketosis might be better known as acetone breath, a common symptom of progressing diabetes mellitus type. It is characterized by serum concentrations of ketone bodies, with low and stable levels of insulin and blood glucose. It is commonly generalized with hyper-ketonemia, which is an elevated level of ketone bodies in the blood throughout the body. Ketone bodies are formed by ketogenesis as the liver glycogen stores are depleted (Taubes, 2011, p.155). The ketone bodies used for energy are acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, with that, the levels of ketone bodies are regulated mainly by glucagon and insulin (p.156). Most cells can then be used by both glucose and ketone bodies for fuel, and during ketosis, free fatty acids and glucose synthesis fuel the rest.
According to Mark Sisson (2009), longer-term ketosis can result from fasting or staying on a low-carbohydrate diet, and ketosis that’s deliberately induced serves as a medical intervention for epilepsy. In glycolysis, higher levels of insulin block release of fat from adipose tissues and promote storage of body fat, while the body is in ketosis, fat reserves are continually released and consumed as energy (Sisson, 2009, p.47). This is why ketosis is referred to as
The ketogenic diet; one of the oldest treatments for epilepsy is based on the creation of ketones in the body. The creation of ketone bodies is accomplished through high fat intake, carbohydrate depletion and a fasting-metabolism; over long periods of time. When the body is in a fasting state, it creates ketones, a by-product of a fat-burning metabolism. It has long been recognized that seizures often lessen or disappear during periods of fasting in some individuals with epilepsy (Richard Senelick, 2014). This fat-burning metabolism is slowly become popular amongst dieters and endurance athletes. Besides the clear loss of body fat there is the increase in brain processes that create extreme amounts of clarity.
Also what happens inside the body is there will be signs of ketosis (buildup of ketones, a byproduct of burning fat) and excess acid in the blood (acidosis)
Cancer is the second most prominent cause of death in the United States. In the year 2016, it is predicted that 595,690 Americans will die from this disease.12 Caner is defined as an uncontrollable division of cells in the body that spreads into surrounding tissue. This rapid division of cells can occur almost anywhere in the human body. The cancer treatments currently available in modern medicine include a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Recently scientists have discovered that there could be another way to battle this epidemic. There proves to be a strong correlation between this rapid cell division that is seen in cancer patients with the metabolism of glucose. Glucose provides the energy needed for these cells to continue to rapidly divide and develop new cells. This could mean that nutrition may be a very valuable weapon in the war against cancer. 5 A high fat, low carbohydrate diet, also known as a ketogenic diet, has been successful in the clinical world for patients with uncontrollable seizures, but it may now pose as a viable resource to assist in cancer recovery. By restricting carbohydrates through diet, thus starving the cancer cell of glucose, we may be able to slow or terminate the spread of these cancer cells. The objective of this paper will be to give a better insight on how a Ketogenic diet may aid in delaying or terminating cancer.
Ketosis diets, better known as ketogenic diets, feature food plans that are very low in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are usually, of course, one of the major resources of energy for your body. Carbohydrates release energy directly into your body, which is crucial to its regular functioning. Should you lower your carb consumption too much, you can die, because there's no energy to fuel your body's common functions. So, it's a really good thing that your body knows how to handle the situation. Whenever your body is striving for carbohydrates it automatically knows to begin looking to stored body fat for energy. If youre following this properly your eyes could possibly be lighting up by now. It really seems reasonable that if fat burning is your goal, then a ketogenic diet regime, which forces your body to burn fat for fuel, must be a good thing. This all is fine provided that you do not forget about the basic, old rule that calories out must at the least equal calories in.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute complication of uncontrolled glucose levels characterized by reduced levels of insulin and presence of ketones. It is a medical emergency and results can be detrimental if left untreated. DKA is commonly seen in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM). However, critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) such as trauma, surgery or infection, are also at risk for DKA (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2013). Patients with type 1 DM are predisposed to DKA if their underlying conditions are not diagnosed early and in some cases, they may experience similar signs and symptoms without actually developing DKA. Comorbidities involving parts of
The keto diet consist of 75 percent of healthy fat, 20 percent of protein, and 5 percent of carbohydrate .As you may know, fat is critical for the functioning of the brain. A diet that is high in fatty acids increase ketone levels which in turn protect against neural damage and restore normal synaptic plasticity as well as memory performance.
The classic ketogenic diet is a high-fat diet developed in the 1920s to treat epilepsy by mimicking the biochemical changes associated with periods of limited food availability. The diet was originally composed of 80–90% fat, with carbohydrate and protein constituting the remainder of the intake. Energy is largely derived from the utilization of body fat and by fat delivered in the diet. These fats are converted to the ketone bodies β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone, which represent an alternative energy source to glucose. In comparison with glucose, ketone bodies have a higher inherent energy. Ketone bodies readily cross the blood–brain barrier either by simple diffusion (acetone) or with the aid of monocarboxylic transporters (β-hydroxybutyrate,
When insulin is at high levels in the body, the food you eat can readily get converted into body fat, in the form of triglycerides. Thus, if lower amounts of carbohydrates are consumed, the body naturally produces less insulin and looks to other sources for fuel, namely FAT! For this reason, the Atkins diet restricts processed and refined carbohydrates and limits intake to 15-60 grams per day, encouraging protein and fat consumption (http://www.ivillage.com/diet/features/dietsaz). When the body lacks its primary energy source (carbohydrates) it will naturally turn to its next source (fat) to burn for energy. When the body breaks down fat, ketones are formed and the appetite is naturally suppressed. One reaches ketosis when his or her carbohydrate intake is less than 40 grams per day. The average person not on this diet consumes 300+ grams of carbohydrates per day.
The body derives it 's energy from four key fuels 1) glucose 2)proteins 3) free fatty acids 4) ketones. The primary determinant of the fuel utilized is the availability of carbohydrate. The body has three storage units that can be utilized during times of calorie deprivation: 1) carbohydrate, which is sotred in liver and the muscles 2) protein, which can be converted to glucose in the liver 3) fat, which is stored primarily in adipose tissue. Under specific conditions a fourth fuel comes into play -ketones which are derived from the incomplete breakdown of free fatty acids. Under normal dietary conditions ketones play a minimal role in energy prodcition. During times of Low carb dieting or starvation diets ketones impact energy production significantly.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication that occurs in diabetic patients in the result of low insulin levels in the body. When the body does not have enough insulin in the body it begins to break down fats for energy which produces ketones. The existence of DKA in type 2 diabetics is frequently related to conditions of extreme stress. (Lin, Bishop, & Benito-Herrero, 2010). In this patient an acute infection is the cause of ketoacidosis. During an infection your body produces higher levels of hormones that may counter the effect of insulin which in return leads to low levels of insulin causing lipolysis and creating ketones. Therefore, infections in diabetics can trigger ketoacidosis.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis(DKA) is from metabolism of fats and proteins with increasing ketones in the circulation(Huether & McCance, 2012). The loss of insulin activity increasing serum glucose levels due to hepatic glucose output and decreased glucose uptake. DK occurs in both type 1 and type 2, type 1 is due to lack of endogenous insulin. Type 2 occurs decreasing the insulin action due to infections, trauma, or increased stress, which can cause coma, due to the hyperosmolality ( McPhee & Hammer, 2010).
The Ketogenic Diet is a way of eating that is becoming increasingly popular within fitness and health communities. The Ketogenic Diet began as a way of eating to combat Alzheimer’s disease along with neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease (Davis, n.d.). In the past decade it has become widely known for its weight loss benefits. As of recent, many famous public figures and professional athletes have further popularized the concept of the Ketogenic Diet. Many years ago, the Ketogenic Diet began as a way to combat diseases and neurological disorders, but has since then become a much more popular tool for weight loss.
Ketoacidosis in diabetics also referred to as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious medical condition caused by abnormal increase in quantities of ketones in the body, as result of some unregulated biochemical circumstances. It is the combination factor of an excess of glucose in the bloodstream and abnormally high concentration of ketone bodies in the blood. Insulin is the main hormone in relation to ketoacidosis in diabetics.
The Ketopian diet involves the state of ketosis, where the body involves in burning fat rather than the carbohydrates for its energy needs.
Many people are familiar with a low carbohydrate diet and the keto diet falls within those parameters, but it has some distinct additions which are considered paramount to its