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Palak Thakore
Critical Update Essay
Wayne State University
English 3010
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Palak Thakore is an undergraduate student at Wayne State University who is pursuing
a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Food Science. She has taken classes such as
Nutrition and Health, Introduction to Food Science and various science courses relating
to her major like Microbiology and a Nutrition laboratory course. In 2009, she
participated in a research study, as a student aid, for the Nutrition and Food Science
department at Wayne State University, which focused on the effects of different types of
fats on the human body by studying the results of the experiments on laboratory gerbils.
Thakore has extensively researched Nutrition journals such as the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition and the American Society for Nutrition to gather information about
fasting and diet studies for different populations of people.
In the modern society, diet and fasting affects millions of people in the United States.
Regardless of the reason for beginning the fast (religious, weight loss, detoxification),
everyone who chooses to start one should be thoroughly knowledgeable about the risks
and benefits that come from their choice. A lack of understanding about diet or fasting
methods and their effects on one’s body can pose potentially dangerous health
problems, or on the other hand, possible conspicuous benefits they may be looking for.
Those who already have certain diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems
should take extra measures to educate themselves prior to a diet or fast. Increasingly
popular today are many extreme forms of dieting whose objectives are to remove an
entire essential food group or even ingest dangerous chemicals. Culturally, fasting has
become a social norm and is accepted widely due to the influence of religions on
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people’s lifestyles. Fasting can be safe and effective sometimes, but certain fasts call
for practices that can have extra positive and negative effects on one’s body.
In today’s society, dieting or fasting is often considered by people of all
nationalities and religions. Whether it is for a religious reason or to reduce their weight,
“about 45 million Americans diet each year” (CNN.com). Although the definition of
dieting can be interpreted differently by each individual, statistics such as this one stress
the need for a large population of Americans to be thoroughly informed about the diets
and/or fasts they choose to follow. Ideally, people who wish to begin a diet or fast
should seek the advice of their physician, or a nutritionist, first. Dieting and fasting can
have many effects on one’s health and well-being, and before beginning a diet or fast, it
is important to be informed about the risks and benefits it can impose.
In order to be informed prior to beginning a diet or a fast, one must understand
the basics of healthy dieting and fasting and what it entails. Most of us do have a
general knowledge of what dieting is and how it can be accomplished, however what we
may not know are the physical stresses and unsafe measures we could be putting our
bodies through. According to the Geeta Patel, a nutritionist working in the Detroit area,
“a diet can be defined as a time period in which food consumption is closely monitored
and altered by the individual in order to safely and effectively achieve certain goals such
as weight loss, improved health or detoxification” (Patel). Many people who begin a diet
or a fast overlook that healthy dieting has certain protocols that should not risk one’s
health. Also, dieting does not only limit food consumption, but also adds the component
of physical activity. Depending on the person’s health history, existing medical
conditions and desired goals, a nutritionist can provide a diet plan that incorporates
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varied levels of exercise to cooperatively work with healthy nutrition. Dr. Kathleen
Zelman, the director of nutrition for WebMD, says that “in theory, one could drop as
much as twenty pounds in a week following a very ambitious eating and exercise plan,
devoting more than seven hours per week to rigorous exercise, and under a physician's
care like we do on the television program” (Zelman). However, extreme measures such
as this are not safe for most people because they cannot be undertaken by someone
who, for example, is a diabetic and needs to regulate blood glucose levels constantly.
Nutritionists recommend that a safe and effective diet will allow for two to three pounds
weight loss per week given that exercise is incorporated and caloric intake is not less
than 1,050 to 1,500 per day. However, total weight loss in pounds per week can also
vary depending on the person’s initial weight and health condition.
One of the most common reasons for fasting is due to religious purposes, and
this is what differentiates fasting from dieting. According to the Nutrition Journal, “fasting
is defined as a partial or total abstention from all foods, or a select abstention from
prohibited foods”, and “the three most commonly studied fasts are caloric restriction
(CR), alternate-day fasting (ADF), and dietary restriction (DR)” (Trepanowski). Healthy
fasting has been shown to be beneficial when it is done in the caloric restriction method.
Fasting can have many different restrictions such as prohibition of certain foods and
liquids, and certain times where eating is allowed, for example, dawn to dusk for some
religions. Similarly to dieting, some of these guidelines can cause harmful effects on the
body and are not health promoting, but some can be very beneficial. Therefore, it is
important to be educated about fasting to know how one’s body will react to the stresses
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that fasting can create, especially if certain diseases are affecting one’s health
condition.
Although the methods for safe dieting are known about, often they are ignored
because it may not be the quickest route to losing weight or achieving the results of a
diet. Due to this, many people may, sometimes unknowingly, rush into extreme
measures of dieting, which can be detrimental to one’s health. For example, one of the
most well-known weight loss/detoxification diets widely used by a number of well-known
Hollywood celebrities to shed weight quickly is the Master Cleanse diet. Master Cleanse
is “a starvation diet whose adherents swallow nothing but a concoction of lemon juice
mixed with maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper, as well as salt water and a laxative
tea for 10 days” (Moores). The intention of the diet is to detoxify the body by flushing out
the harmful substances, reduce caloric intake to extremely low levels, and consume no
other foods besides the drink concoction. The problem that nutritionists have found with
this diet is the depletion of essential food groups such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids
that are required by the body for normal functioning. Some of the side effects of the diet
proved its dangers as large numbers of followers showed “vitamin deficiencies, muscle
breakdown, and blood sugar problems” (Moores). Furthermore, the depletion of
vitamins can result in the weakening of the body’s immune system to fight infections
and inflammation.
The problem is that when people in the United States look upon celebrities as
role models for ideal weight and take upon the diets of the celebrities, they ignore
consulting a nutritionist about the risks of the diet, but merely focus on the superficial
weight loss benefits. Given the popularity of the Master Cleanse diet, with higher
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numbers of people attempting to follow it there could be serious health concerns for a
great number in the United States. For example, Cosmopolitan, a magazine written for
young women which features a different female celebrity on the cover every month
(along with her weight loss and beauty secrets), reported that in 2010, over 3,021,720
households subscribe to the magazine. If all the women who read the magazine took on
the Master Cleanse diet without researching its dangers first, the number of ill people in
the United States would skyrocket. Also, research has shown that the body has no need
for detoxification diets because a healthy diet and exercise will naturally allow your body
to detoxify, according to Dr. Nasir Maloo, a gastroenterologist at Capitol
Gastroenterology Consultants Medical Group in Sacramento, California. These facts
would remain hidden if a dieter did not take the very crucial steps of consulting a
nutritionist or physician or conducting research prior to beginning the diet.
Another trend that is on the rise is the use of dangerous diet pills to aid in quick
weight loss. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) places bans of diet pills
containing lethal chemicals in the United States, the pills are still available for purchase
through the internet or internationally. Similar to extreme diets, when quick weight loss
is guaranteed in the form of a pill that only needs to be ingested once a day and
involves no other restrictions, it becomes more attractive to consumers and lethal
chemicals in the pill are simply disregarded. The Japanese Lingzhi 24-Hour Diet pill is a
prime example. It boasts a product that is all-natural (another marketing method used to
attract consumers), a 24-hour turnaround time, no exercise, and no change to one’s
normal diet. To anyone in the nutrition field, the 24-hour time promised to reduce fat is
an instant red flag, given that healthy dieting measures allow for losing two to three
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pounds per week. However, even a simple internet search query can quickly reveal that
the main ingredient has been shown to cause kidney, heart and liver failure and it is not
approved by the FDA. Diet pills and extreme methods of dieting must be analyzed by a
nutritionist or physician, because they can be very dangerous, if not lethal, to one’s
health.
It is estimated that approximately 87.1% of people in the United States associate
themselves with one of the five major religions of the world. Christianity, Islam,
Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism all contain a component of fasting as a form of prayer
or repentance for their higher powers. With proper research and seeking advice from a
nutritionist, these fasts can be very beneficial to one’s health if followed correctly.
Usually, fasting restricts “bad” foods, ones that contain high levels of fat and
carbohydrates. This can be beneficial because the body resorts to fats stored in adipose
cells, and these cells also contain stored toxins which are, in turn, released. For
example, in Hinduism, unmarried girls and women follow a week long fast called Vrat.
The nutritional guidelines of this fast are that followers cannot consume any salt, or any
modified products that contain it (like corn syrup), for a week. However, this is a healthy
fast which is not dangerous to health because salt is substituted by fruit sugars,
vegetables, and other glucose containing foods. Also, sources for iodine such as cow’s
milk and certain vegetables are substituted to prevent deficiencies. Although the widely
known religious intention (to attain a devoted husband) of this fast is why most women
choose to follow it, Vrat also allows for health benefits on the body. Because the intake
of salt is decreased, excess water weight is drained from the body resulting in weight
loss. Also, the intake of fruits and vegetables is increased highly, as this is a permitted
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food during the fast. In India, the country that has the highest number of Hinduism
followers in the world, women consume higher amounts of the Amla fruit during the Vrat
fast, also known as Indian Gooseberry. It contains high amounts of vitamin C,
antioxidants, and cancer fighting agents. The Vrat fast is an example of some of the
hidden benefits of fasting that may go unheard of if not researched prior to beginning
the fast. Thus, these benefits reflect the need to be informed before starting a fast
because whether there are risks involved or benefits, like in this case, it is imperative to
know how what you eat, or do not, affects your health.
Dieting and fasting can raise health concerns for people who are generally in
good health and do not possess any high risk diseases. Therefore, for a person that has
been diagnosed with diabetes, consulting a nutritionist is absolutely vital to prevent
further harm or deterioration to their body. As a diabetic, the underlying problem one
face’s is to control glucose. Today, even newly diagnosed patients are highly
recommended to consult a nutritionist by their physician upon the onset of diabetes or
as a pre-diabetic. The nutritionist will devise a healthy diet plan to reduce weight and
control blood glucose levels that they can incorporate into their lifestyle. As far as
fasting is concerned, it can be incorporated into the diet plan if one advises the
nutritionist of it. The nutritionist can tailor the diet plan according to one’s culture,
lifestyle and medical needs. Generally, nutritionists place healthy carbohydrates, fiberrich foods, fish, and the “good” fats into a personalized diet plan for the patient. Of
course, variations do occur based on the patient’s general health and personal
preferences. Foods that are avoided or incorporated minimally are saturated fats, Trans
fats, cholesterol, and sodium. In addition to a diet plan, a patient who has diabetes can
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also learn insightful methods about their diet that they would not know if they did not
consult him/her. According to the Mayo Clinic, nutritionists take a “few different
approaches to creating a diabetes diet that keeps blood glucose level within a normal
range” (Mayo Clinic). These are counting carbohydrates because they essentially
metabolize into glucose, the exchange system which places foods into groups that
equally contain carbohydrates, protein, and fats and have the same effect on blood
glucose levels, and the glycemic index, which is a scale that puts high-glucose foods at
the top and high-fat foods at the bottom. According to these three methods, the
nutritionist will create a customized diet plan for the diabetic which will not only provide
them will healthy food options, but may also decrease the physiological effects of
diabetes, or even hinder the onset of full diabetes for a pre-diabetic. A consultation with
a nutritionist if one has diabetes is essential because they need to put additional focus
on their diet if they choose to go on one. Also, a diabetic must pay close attention and
learn about nutritional information about the foods they consume, which can be done
best by a nutritionist.
With healthcare costs rising in the United States, the price for a consultation to a
nutritionist has also rose in the last few years for those who are not covered by
insurance. Today, it costs approximately $50 dollars per hour to consult a nutritionist,
and they require more than one consultation to accurately devise a proper diet plan for
their patient. However, the need to become educated and informed about dieting
methods, fasting and diet pills is on the rise because the hundreds of new products that
are introduced each year. Given that one is in general good health and is looking to
begin a diet or a fast, he/she can reduce the costs associated with nutrition counseling
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by conducting their own research using credible sources. Some examples are books
and reliable internet sources. Many nutritionists write books that contain information
about nutrition or its relation to a certain disease. “Tell Me What to Eat if I Have
Diabetes” by Elaine Magee, a registered dietician and has a master’s degree in public
health, is a good source for someone looking to gather information about diabetes and
nutrition. However, the downside of using a book instead of a real nutritionist is the diet
plan will not be tailored to one’s individual needs (say, one wants to incorporate fasting).
Also, credible internet sources such as WebMD and Mayo Clinic can be used to
reference information about healthy methods of dieting and fasting. But, some internet
sources may seem reliable but if not peer reviewed, may contain false or misleading
information. Nevertheless, the best option for someone who is choosing to begin a diet
or a fast is to consult a nutritionist to learn about potential risks or benefits.
Dieting and fasting affects a large portion of people not only in the United States,
but internationally. Although it is important to know about the benefits of a diet or fast, it
is even more necessary to know about the risks it can pose on one’s health. Many
diseases known today are related to poor nutrition, and the detrimental effects are only
furthered upon beginning a diet or a fast that could be harmful. Those who have certain
diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and healthy people should always
consult a nutritionist prior to beginning a fast or a diet. Sometimes, harmful diets can
combine with preexisting conditions in the body or trigger negative effects which can be
detected by a nutritionist in conjunction with the patient’s physician. The small, but
absolutely essential step could yield a healthier lifestyle or unsafe threats to the body.
Additionally, many fad diets and pills are readily available to purchase that do not
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require approval by the FDA, because they are not sold in the United States. Thus,
these diet methods and pills do not need to disclose nutritional information and can
conceal lethal chemicals used in their production. However, an experienced nutritionist
who has studied about these drugs and health dieting/fasting methods can advise a
patient to steer away from these perils. Finally, religious fasts can be very beneficial,
and consulting a nutritionist can help to uncover these hidden positives which helps the
patient because he/she may choose to fast more often.
Prior to beginning a diet or a fast, it is absolutely critical to understand the risks
and benefits that one can attain from it. Certain types of diets and fasting methods can
be detrimental to a healthy person, and could be further detrimental to someone who
has a disease such as diabetes. If all elements are considered fasting can absolutely be
beneficial, but it is important to consult a nutritionist to confirm the positives being
imposed on the body. Entering a diet or fast without being informed can lead to serious
health risks, so it is important to complete research and consult a nutritionist to obtain
an approval for your actions. Performing the appropriate research and consulting a
nutritionist could mean the difference between a healthy life or serious health concern
that may arise in the future.
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Works Cited
Lagorio, Christine. "Diet Plan Success Tough To Weigh - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines:
Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News. Web. 20 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/03/health/main664519.shtml>.
MayoClinic Staff. "Diabetes Diet: Create Your Healthy-eating Plan." Mayo Clinic. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00027>.
Moores, By Susan. "Experts Warn of Detox Diet Dangers - Health - Diet and Nutrition - Chew On This
- Msnbc.com." Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics,
Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News - Msnbc.com. Web. 16 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18595886/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/>.
RD, Patel, Geeta. "Interview about Diabetes." Telephone interview. 11 Dec. 2010.
"Statistics on Religion in America Report -- Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life." Religion in
American Culture -- Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.
<http://religions.pewforum.org/reports>.
Trepanowski, John. "Full Text | The Impact of Religious Fasting on Human Health." Nutrition Journal.
22 Nov. 2010. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. <http://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/57>.
Zelman, Kathleen, and Brunilda Nazario. "How To Lose Weight Fast and Safely - Exercise, Counting
Calories, and More." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 20 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/lose-weight-fast-how-to-do-it-safely>.