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…show more content… When you begin eating more fat while cutting out the carbohydrates, like sugars and breads, you will stop experiencing the blood sugar swings that plague most who prescribe to a Standard American/Western Diet (Taubes, 2007, p.88). These fluctuations can cause intense hunger. This hunger keeps you lurching from one carbohydrate heavy meal to the next, never fully satisfied, and never reaching ketosis.
During this ketosis process the body begins to produce ketones. Ketones, which are a bi-product of body burning fat for fuel and energy, suppress appetite by impacting cholecystokinin, a hormone that makes you feel full, and ghrelin or lenomorelin, a peptide hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract, known as the hunger hormone. This reaction satisfies the bodies need to continue to eat (Phinney & Volek, 2011, p. 180).
Your intestines release cholecystokinin during the digestive process, it is a powerful regulator of food intake. During a controlled study, trial participants were injected with cholecystokinin while eating. As cholecystokinin entered their system the subject would cut their meal short. This, of course, aids in weigh loss as your body is not desiring the added calories (Feinman, 2007). The more weight you lose the less cholecystokinin your body produces. Meaning that as you get thinner, healthier, you will feel less content with the same meal. This effect will cause you to crave carbohydrates more. However, if you remain in ketosis
