Adkins/Fadkins Case Study

Atkins or “Fadkins”?

Part I - Macronutrients and Energy

1.

Proteins - Nitrogen-containing organic compounds composed of bonded amino acid molecules. In the human body, proteins are used as structural materials, energy sources, and chemical messengers (ex: hormones). Major dietary sources of protein include meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and more.

Carbohydrates - Organic compound consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Carbs provide much of the energy that cells require. They supply materials to build certain cell structures and store reserve energy supplies. Carbs include sugars and polysaccharides. It is found in grains, starchy vegetables and beans, fruit, beverages, sweets and added sugars.

Fats - An organic molecule that includes glycerol and fatty acids. Fats are the most common lipid. They are primarily used to supply energy for cellular activities. Fat molecules can supply more energy per gram than carbohydrate molecules. Butter, cream, pizza, and soda, all contain fat.

Glucose travels in your bloodstream to fuel the mitochondria that is responsible for your brain power. Glucose is the only fuel normally used by brain cells. Neurons cannot store glucose so they depend on the bloodstream to deliver a constant supply of it. The main source of glucose is from carbs. Jaime is right - your brain needs carbs.

Jaime is also right about too much protein harming your kidneys. A diet with too much protein causes a buildup of toxic ketones, which strains the kidneys. As kidneys try to flush these ketones out, you lose water and can cause you to be dehydrated. Ketones are made when your body doesn’t receive enough energy from carbohydrates.

Calorie: A unit that measures the heat and the energy contents of foods. Energy: The ability to move something and thus do work. A product labeled “calorie-free energy drink” is misleading because we get our energy from calories, so if that drink has no calories it would be impossible for it to...