IMPORTANT
I have just written an expository essay on dieting myths and scams. You should read the following; it is supported with factual information that should help your situation.
-----------------------
One Foot on the Scale, One Foot in the Grave
There is an abundance of dieting myths that weight-loss clinics, product marketing teams, and gimmick riddled diet companies do not want to be discredited to the public. The exposure of these myths would denote the loss of millions of dollars throughout the United States, and worldwide for the abovementioned companies; the buried health risks of these fad diets uphold product survival. Uneducated individuals looking for a quick remedy fall victim to these dieting scams, cunning marketing techniques, and their existing media exposure. The guaranteeing success of these deceiving products makes the actions of these businesses, their proprietors, and all other affiliations inexcusable. Many weight-loss clinics promise slimming results while fad diets offer an instant solution to one’s weight problems; however, both methods of losing weight are impermanent and unsafe.
The Atkins diet suggests a low carbohydrate approach to eating; leading to destabilized brain functions inclusive of damaged memory and reduced reaction times. In essence, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, necessary for brain activity; without the intake of carbohydrates, the aforementioned brain functions will undeniably diminish.
Nineteen women were a part of a study on the diluted state of brain functions consequential of the Atkins low-carb diet. The study group was divided into two parts: individuals who followed the Atkins diet and individuals who were placed on a nutritionally balanced, low calorie diet. Boyles (2008) states, “Reaction times for those on the low-carb diet were slower and their visual-spatial memories were not as good as the low-calorie dieters” (para.10). This study is concomitant to the theory that depleting a diet of carbohydrates is restricting the brain’s energy supply.
Additionally, the Atkins diet presents another dangerous side-effect known as the process of ketosis. Ketosis is the progression of one’s body using stored fat for energy in place of carbohydrates. Although this method may seem effective for burning fat, the carb exhausted body may increase the production of ketones causing problems ranging from the diminutive headache to the severity of kidney failure. Moreover, eating a diet low in carbohydrates may limit the ingestion of required grains and vegetables that aid in the prevention of constipation and bowel disease. To further legitimize this contention, Fisher (2003) states, “The Atkins diet doesn’t conform to the American Heart Association’s dietary guidelines for a healthy heart” (para. 9).
Whether they guarantee the control of one’s appetite or declare that they exclusively target fat areas of a customer’s body, another harmful and misunderstood fad is the use of diet pills. These dangerous, results-promising capsules are designed to appeal to the uneducated population. Many consumers are oblivious to the fact that various diet pills have addictive elements making it difficult for the user to stop taking them. Caffeine, ephedrine, and phentermine, for instance, are addictive ingredients found in many diet pills which may have adverse effect on individuals consuming them on a regular basis. According to something-fishy (2007), “Diet pills, both over-the-counter and prescription, (as recommended, continuously, or in excess) can cause the following: nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, high blood pressure, fatigue and hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias and palpitations, congestive heart failure or heart attack, stroke, headaches, dry mouth, [sic] vomitting and diarrhea or constipation, intestinal disturbances, tightness in chest, tingling in extremities, excessive [sic] persperation, dizziness, disruption in [sic] mentrual cycle, change in sex drive, hair loss, blurred vision, fever and urinary tract problems” (para. 3).
Sadly, consumers often flock to the latest in dieting trends; products endorsed by paid celebrities are no exception, in fact, they are favored by the population. Our fascination with famous actors, actresses, or athletes should not be the motivation for experimentation on our own bodies. The fact is many of these well scripted and renowned individuals are unaware of the harmful damage that these pills can do to the body. These celebrated people are not doctors, nutritionists or physicians; they are individuals who are paid to speak exceedingly well of the approved product. Individuals fall victim to this rhetorical device which is exhibited by the media; sadly, it is encouraged by the lack of knowledge our population has about healthful eating.
An enormous fallacy within the weight-loss world is the concern of losing weight without any regard to losing fat. Many weight-loss centers are to blame for pushing their clients on a scale only to promote the shedding of pounds. Unfortunately, their clientele is indoctrinated with weight-loss myths resulting in discouraging outcomes and abandoned expectations. What good is stepping on a scale that reads a reduction in weight only to have the mirror fail to reflect any improvement? Consequential to the impudence of these centers, clients are likely to lose significant muscle weight in order to obtain these impractical, dogmatic objectives.
Coexisting with many of the aforesaid practices and fallacies of weight loss clinics is the ever so popular, but ineffective point system, initiated by the company Weight Watchers. The point system is just that; it organizes one’s diet based on an arrangement of points that does not consider the food source or the implication of food groups. Collins (2007) acknowledged that “4 Cookies may contain the same number of calories as a large [sic] wholemeal sandwich, but the latter is healthier” (para. 5). Four cookies evidently do not hold the same nutritional value as the whole-meal sandwich expressed in Collins’ acknowledgment. This example undoubtedly illustrates that the nutritionally inexperienced individual may be inclined to balance his or her diet inaccurately. The untried individual might also acquire unwholesome eating habits; potentially leading them into a state malnutrition. With Weight Watchers leaving the decision in the hands of the undisciplined individual, are Weight Watchers genuinely looking out for the customer’s best interests? Dr. Fuhrman (2008) “Studies performed on subjects undergoing the Weight Watchers program have shown that after 6 months the average weight loss was less than 5 pounds” (para. 4). With five being a number that hardly tops the safe weight loss recommendations an individual should experience within four to five weeks, six months of the Weight Watchers’ routine is not worth the unnecessary sacrifice.
Many consumers solely rely on fad diets while abandoning the importance of exercise. Actually, there are products offering a “no exercise required” guarantee as well as others marketed to target individuals looking for a quick and easy solution to their weight problems. Is this lethargic approach to a healthy lifestyle, in fact, the catalyst of their weight issues in the first place? Perhaps, but to be brief, people look for shortcuts; if the rigors of exercise and cardiovascular activities can be cut out of their daily regime, they may willingly buy into an unfamiliar product.
Not only does exercise play an important role in living a healthy lifestyle and for the purpose of losing fat, but exercise will benefit us for the rest of our lives. Mirkin (2001) states, “We know that as people age, they lose muscle, their immunities weaken and because of their weakened immunity, they are more likely to die of infectious diseases or cancers” (para. 1). Without exercise and the practice of healthful eating habits, muscle density is sure to decrease; chances of illness and infection are sure to increase. Staying on top of a healthy eating schedule and exercise regimen may prevent potential illness and body crippling diseases associated with muscle loss.
While proper nutrition and daily activity help contribute to a healthy existence; following fad diets or joining a weight-loss clinic based on immediate results and not the longevity of wellbeing, may cause an adoption of poor habits. Poor dietary habits may lead to disease, damaged brain functions, addiction, and abandoned expectations; reactions to these fad diets are inimitable in result. As long as this world is made up of a diverse collection of individuals; there is no one remedy or method for shedding undesirable pounds. Each body is comprised of different genes and dissimilar tolerance levels that make a universal weight-loss process practically impossible to discover; however, eating healthy and keeping fit are universal behaviors that all and sundry should put into practice. Healthy fruits, vegetables, poultry, beef, and grains have been the cornerstone for a healthful diet for hundreds of years; fad-dieting and gimmick clinics have only been treading our society for the last couple of decades. Our culture is now fatter, unhealthier, and more fatigued than it ever has been. Following a wholesome diet that has not failed our predecessors will put one on track to a successful, healthy lifestyle.
