Kwashiorkor, Diets, and Dangers

Kwashiorkor occurs when a person if severely protein deficient, more specifically, deficient in complete proteins. It is a very serious condition that should not be overlooked. Although not prevalent in the United States, other countries suffer daily from its effects. Knowing whats behind this can help us to prevent it.

Complete proteins are the only providers of the essential nine amino acids that our bodies cannot produce themselves (at least in sufficient amounts). A lack of these amino acids and complete proteins leads to slowed growth rate, bloated stomach from body fluids, spindly arms and legs, listlessness, and possible death if not treated. The skin may lose its natural color and develop dark patches. Most also suffer from anemia and vitamin deficiency.

It usually affects young children from 1 to 3 years of age. These are the children who need complete proteins the most since their bodies are constantly growing, and ultimately suffer the most when they cannot be provided such nutrients. Kwashiorkor is prevalent in urban areas and developing countries where foods high in complete proteins are not as readily available like Zimbabwe. The treatment for this disease is to supplement the diet with high-protein foods like dried skim milk. Most survivors never reach their potential physical growth, but that must be better than the death that hovers without treatment.

There are also many dangers associated with low carb diets. CBS News covered a story about a study done on high-fat animal proteins and their health risks. In low carb diets you're advised to limit bread and other carbohydrates, but eat more meats and eggs. The study shows that this leads to a higher risk of cancer and even death. This high protein, high fat diet needs to be with plant-based carbohydrates instead.Tofu, almonds, avocados, whole grains, veggies, and fruits are good sources because they have low carbs and low harmful fats.

Exercise physiologist Greg Landry tells the Sideroad that there are fifteen scientifically measured reasons to avoid a low carb diet. Among these are risks due to depletion of glycogen storage and insufficient vitamin intake. Low carb diets deplete healthy glycogen stores in the muscles and liver, causing dehydration and muscle loss, not actual weight loss. This causes fatigue that leads to muscle atrophy. Low carb diets do not allow carbohydrates that are used as fuel in the body. If insulin levels get too low, breakdown of muscle protein increases and protein synthesis stops. Also, loss of muscle causes a decrease in your basal metabolic rate, so fewer calories get burnt. Low carbs leads to more protein foods and too much fat content in the diet. These diets lack fiber, sufficient quantities of nutrients, and antioxidants that actually help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Too much protein can be harmful to your body. Adding more protein but not more calories or exercise may put your body under stress. Increasing protein and calorie intake, but not increasing exercise will build an equal amount of additional fat and muscle mass. A diet that has more than 30% of caloric intake causes a build up of toxic ketones that can put extra stress on your kidneys.

Protein is essential for a healthy body, but too little or too much can cause dangerous side effects. Severe protein deficiency causes kwashiorkor. Low-carb diets cause risk of cancer. Too much protein causes stress on the organs. Protein is great for our muscles, bones, teeth, skin, hair, etc.. It can help yet harm in the same instance.