Relationship Between Diet And Health

The Atkins Diet and the Relationship between Diet and Health


Anorexia, bulimia, obesity - these are just some of the health problems people come across when it comes to dieting. People choose to go through a process of dieting to lose weight, live a healthier lifestyle and just feel better about their body and be comfortable in their own skin. Yet there are also some risks involved. Each person has a unique body chemistry that reacts differently to certain supplements and dietary programs. Before one person chooses to diet, one must first know the relationship between diet and health.

Of the many dietary programs advertised in the market, the three that are most popular are the Atkins diet, Jenny Craig diet and the Weight Watchers diet. These three diet programs also happen to be one of the most expensive plans that have an over eighty percent premium over the average American's food expenses. The most criticized however, is the Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet, a low-carbohydrate dietary program, has been subject to heated debates for over three decades. The subject of these debates centers around the relationship between diet and health. Although recent researches support some claims of the Atkins diet regarding short-term weight loss, the scientific community has also found reason to be concerned.

Low-carbohydrate diets like Atkins have increased susceptibility to diarrhea, general weakness, rashes and muscle cramps for its dieters. The acidity from having a high protein intake also causes Osteoporosis. These diseases may seem minor but in 2004, a greater claim against the Atkins diet has increased the curiosity of people regarding the relationship between diet and health.

A 53-year old businessman from Florida has claimed that the Atkins diet has been cause for serious heart disease. This claim has been supported by research done by the American Heart Association stating that high-protein low-carbohydrate diets increase the susceptibility of dieters to heart disease. This claim may also be supported by general observation of Asians, like the Japanese or Thais, whose diet is composed mainly of carbohydrates like rice and noodles. The average Asian is thinner than the average American despite having a higher carbohydrate intake which contradicts the Atkins diet's claim that a low-carbohydrate diet can yield weight loss. Asians, however, show the same rates for heart disease due to their daily diet.

The relationship between diet and health will continue to be reason for debate among the medical community. The Atkins diet is only one of the programs that raises question. Before one chooses to undergo a dietary process, one must first learn about their body and consult their doctors about the unique relationship between diet and health.