A journal published in Clinical Psychiatry News by Heidi Splete, a medical journalist, discussed a study on low-carbohydrate dieters. Two people in the study died. They had suffered heart failures due to malnutrition. Protein deficiency is another example of how malnutrition can affect the body’s organs. Protein is an important macronutrient to the body. Protein supports the growth of muscles. Muscle growth is very important because practically everything the body does it does through muscle usage. When the body does not have enough protein, it has become malnourished. In Discovering Nutrition, a nutrition textbook, states that “When …show more content…
Regarding metabolism, it is known fast is good and slow is bad. A dieter may be led to believe that going on a highly restrictive caloric diet will boost their metabolism. Indeed, the opposite will happen. The metabolism will become sluggish. It is similar to a marathon runner running on few calories. How could he or she be as fast as possible without needed nutrition? Just like the runner the body’s thyroid is running a long race and requires proper nutrition. “The body’s metabolism slows down to avoid demanding more food when none is available…the dieter experiences rapid weight gain once normal eating patterns ensure ” (king). So, if a dieter is trying to lose twenty-five pounds three weeks before a Christmas party, they will most likely experience rapid weight regain after the party when normal eating has …show more content…
Without proper nutrition, the body can become weak. Obviously, the dieter will feel fatigued and run down. Serious digestive issues may occur as well. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases did a study in 2007 on the effects of a very low-calorie diet. The results were shocking. Minor side effects of constipation, diarrhea, and nausea came accompanied with a very serious side effect of gallstone formation. The research showed that cholesterol levels in the gallbladder increase, while the ability to contract and expel bile decreases, thus a formation of gallstones. Likewise, gallstones are a very serious side effect that can require surgery for removal. Surgery from dieting should be a clear indicator that calorie restriction diets are dangerous and that people should be careful when restricting calories on their own. Another example of how a very restrictive diet can disrupt bodily systems and make the whole body weak including the immune system. Most of the immune system is in the gut. Good bacteria and bad bacteria have to maintain a balance for optimal immunity. When it comes to nutrition, a proper diet feeds the good gut bacteria. A restrictive caloric intake starves gut bacteria. It is difficult to fight infection when the body is weak in