Abstract
In this research essay, a comparison is made between the health benefits of vegetarian/vegan diets vs. meat diets. As will be shown, there is some contradictory evidence, in that while there is a wealth of evidence suggesting that vegetarian/vegan diets are healthier than meat diets, there are also some troubling indications that vegans in particular may suffer from serious nutritional deficiencies. Nonetheless, overall it seems clear that vegetarian/vegan diets confer greater health benefits than do meat diets.

From the Paper
Vegetarian/Vegan Diets vs. Meat Diets In this research essay, a comparison is made between the health benefits of vegetarian/vegan diets vs. meat diets. As will be shown, there is some contradictory evidence, in that while there is a wealth of evidence suggesting that vegetarian/vegan diets are healthier than meat diets, there are also some troubling indications that vegans in particular may suffer from serious nutritional deficiencies. Nonetheless, overall it seems clear that vegetarian/vegan diets confer greater health benefits than do meat diets. As is well known, the Western world currently faces an epidemic of

Tags:vegan, vegetarian, diet

Abstract
This work briefly discusses the effects of fad diets on heart disease. Low-carbohydrate diets or all protein diets, such as the Atkins diet, are addressed, as their recent popularity among dieters is significant. The paper also analyzes diets that remove a great deal of fat from the diet, all carbohydrate diets, and combination protein and carbohydrate diets. The paper focuses on the cardiovascular reaction to these diets.

From the Paper
"Within this small body if knowledge there are many conjectures about the lack of long-term results associated with fad diets such as the low-carbohydrate, high protein diets other than by those who profess that they work as a rout that seriously contradicts the view of many health care professionals, including doctors and nutrition specialists. These professionals obviously demonstrate a marked level of disregard for fad diets of any kind as they often do not represent a diet that offers the individual a balanced selection of food. Yet, those with the most the say contradict the all protein diets as the potentially most damaging to the body. "You will lose weight in the first week on these diets, but past that, they lack essential nutrients, and it is an unbalanced way of eating. It lacks fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Eating high-fat and high-cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and tests the kidneys." (Goff 1)"

Tags:nutrition, weight, loss

Abstract
This paper discusses vegetarian diets and how they can be healthy if they are well-developed and balanced. It points out deficiencies in these diets and how they may be overcome to meet health guidelines. It also points out some of the benefits of these diets.

From the Paper
"The American Dietetic Association believes appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well planned vegetarian and vegan diets are appropriate for people of all ages from young children to the elderly, for pregnant mothers and for lactating mothers."

Tags:vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian

Abstract
A paper on the new craze of high-protein, low-carbohydrate, low- fat diets and their effects on the body. The paper focuses on the deleterious effects of a high protein diets for those with pre- existing medical conditions, diabetes, renal dysfunction and heart disease.

From the Paper
"It appears to me that Americans are becoming the most overweight population on Earth. We are gaining weight faster than ever. We have all heard of the fly-by-night diets and weight loss programs guaranteeing overnight results. It appears there is a propensity of those who appear physically fit to do well in society and no doubt that in our world exists inescapable superficiality. The will of those trying to lose: fervent, the price could be your life. The range is vast, from those trying to shed those very last few pounds for the bathing suit season to those who are medically morbidly obese. We spend enormous amounts of dollars on these purported miracles, only to succumb to the reality of medical quackery: no results. ?In 1990, Americans spent over 33 billion on weight- loss products and services.? (Miles, Petrie & Steel, 2000, p.254) Sadly, those who are overweight will try anything and everything to lose those pounds, and in doing so, may be causing harm."

Tags:carbohydrate, fat

Abstract
This paper explains why most popular fad diets, particularly Atkins, are based on faulty, unproven theories. It also describes some of the health problems that may accompany such diet programs.

From the Paper
"It has been commonly known for ages that the food we eat provides us with energy in the form of calories. We consume these calories in our bodies for our body functions - the amount of calories burnt depending mainly on the nature and duration of physical activity and to a lesser degree, on metabolic differences in individuals due to genetic reasons. If our calorie-intake is greater than our calorie-consumption, we put on weight; if our intake is less than our consumption we lose weight. Low carb diets such as Atkins' purport to circumvent this basic fact of nutrition and attribute the weight loss to factors such as insulin resistance, ketosis, and increased fat burning. On closer scrutiny, however, it becomes apparent that such claims have no scientific basis and the low carb fad diets carry significant health risks."

Tags:low-carb, reduced, carbohydrate-intake, proteins, fats, weight, loss, induction, phase

Abstract
This paper presents a description of both Italian and American cuisines and shows what is at the root between those differences and between the people who live on each diet. It defines American food as fast, convenience foods, while Italian meals are slower prepared and more nutritious. The health benefits and risks of each form of diet is discussed.

From the Paper
"There are noticeable differences in the diets of people from different countries, even between those of a similar geographic area. One has only to compare Italian to French cuisine to see that though both share parts of the same landmass, both nations have very differently evolved diets, cooking styles, and kitchen staples. The European attitude toward food, however, is quite unified. Europeans generally enjoy their food for the visceral effects, the beauty and simplicity (or complexity) of the food, and treat it with respect. Americans, on the other hand, have a very different attitude toward food. American culture is based upon speed and convenience. Where once home-cooks prepared complex, multi-course meals for the entire family to savor and enjoy together, now the American household dinner is more often than not divided between the separate eating times of the family members, prepared with a minimum of from-scratch ingredients, and relies heavily upon pre-prepared frozen, canned, and other food items. Because of this, speed and efficiency are the hallmark of the American diet."

Tags:food, diet, nutrition, health

Abstract
This paper explains that the normal turnover of amino acids (AA), the fundamental building blocks of proteins, occurs through a series of enzymatically controlled steps; however, a defective enzyme cannot catabolize a particular AA, which can lead to abnormal accumulations of secondary metabolites and to depletion of downstream intermediaries. Next, the author discuses phenylketonuria, maple syrup disease and homocystinuria, which are inborn errors of metabolism disorders. The paper relates that, because a high protein diet can be dangerous and considered to be a metabolic poison for infants, the best therapy is a semisynthetic diet that restricts the involved amino acid.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Normal Amino Acid Chemistry and Physiology
Enzymes and Enzyme Defects in Inborn Errors Of Metabolism
Alterations in AA Metabolism
Maple Syrup Disease
Metabolic Effects of High-Protein Diet
Diet in Inborn Errors of Amino Acid Metabolism
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Genes exert their effects on organisms indirectly. For most genes, the genetic information contained in the nucleotide sequence specifies a particular type of protein. Proteins control the chemical and physical processes of cells known as metabolism. Many proteins are enzymes, which are biological catalysts that accelerate biochemical reactions. Enzymes are essential for the breakdown of organic molecules, generating the chemical energy needed for cellular activities; they are also essential for the synthesis of small molecules and for their assembly into larger molecules and complex cellular structures.
"Any hereditary disease in which the cellular metabolism is abnormal results from an inherited defect in an enzyme. Such diseases are known as inborn errors of metabolism. Any sequence of biochemical reactions is called a biochemical pathway or a metabolic pathway. Each step requires a specific enzyme to catalyze the reaction and allow the chemical transformation to take place. Persons with an inborn error of metabolism have a defect in one step of a metabolic pathway because they lack a functional enzyme for that step. The pathway is thus, said to have a block at that step. One frequent result of a blocked pathway is that the substrate of the defective enzyme accumulates to toxic levels and/or depletion of downstream intermediates, leading to clinical pathology."

Tags:hereditary pathways mutation odor, micronutrient composition

Abstract
A study of diets in the American teenagers life and society, looking at the effect and results.

Tags:diets, in, vogue

Abstract
This paper explains that, for overweight people and people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the low calorie and low fat diets recommended by the government do not work well and actually worsen the condition. The author points out that low carbohydrate diets, such as the popular "Dr. Atkins Diet", are synonymous with a high-fat and moderate protein regime. The paper relates that, when carbohydrate intake is restricted, the insulin levels decrease and the levels of glucagon increase. The author underscores that the increased fats and oils keep the appetite under control. The author suspects that the mechanism of insulin resistance is not a disease but rather a mechanism of homeostasis used to keep the body's fat to muscle ratio in balance. The paper states that, when the body is out of balance, type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs to correct the epigenetic factors that caused the imbalance.

From the Paper
"Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are now associated with decreased expression of genes that regulate oxidative phosphorylation in skeletal muscle. Uncoupling protein 3 (UPC3) is a protein transporter that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle. Studies on UCP3 functions under various physiological conditions have suggested that the function of UCP3 is not limited only to regulation of whole-body energy metabolism but is also involved in regulation of lipids metabolism. Uncoupling proteins act to convert stored fat into thermal energy."

Tags:adkin ketosis thermogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, uncoupling proteins

From the Paper
"Table of Contents
Summary 1
The Use of Drugs for Weight Loss 3
Problems Contributing to Obesity 4
The Rice Diet as a Possible Success Story 5
The Dangers of Fad Diets and Ineffective Solutions 6
Conclusion 7
Bibliography 9
Endnotes 10

Summary
There have been numerous fad diets and many best selling books deal with fad diets. Most quick.slim crash plans backed by someone claiming to be a diet doctor do not work. Some fad diets are, in fact, potentially dangerous and cause heart palpitations and poor nutrition. However, most fad diets and weight loss programs simply fail to produce permanent weight loss because psychological reorganization is necessary to deal with the psychological conflicts that led to the overeating and to change the person's thinking and behavioral patterns. The major stumbling block leading to the diet failure is that the obese person is "thinking ..."