Question

A weight-reducing diet heavily promoted some years ago required the daily intake of "liquid protein" (soup of hydrolyzed gelatin), water, and an assortment of vitamins. All other food and drink were to be avoided. People on this diet typically lost 10 to 14 lb in the first week.(a) Opponents argued that the weight loss was almost entirely due to water loss and would be regained very soon after a normal diet was resumed. What is the biochemical basis for this argument? (b) A few people on this diet died. What are some of the dangers inherent in the diet, and how can they lead to death?

Name: Problem 9, Chapter 18: Principles of Biochemistry
Uploaded: 2021-02-22T09:52:26-08:00
Duration: 3 min 1 s
Channel: Lottie Adams

   A weight-reducing diet heavily promoted some years ago required the daily intake of "liquid protein" (soup of hydrolyzed gelatin), water, and an assortment of vitamins. All other food and drink were to be avoided. People on this diet typically lost 10 to 14 lb in the first week.(a) Opponents argued that the weight loss was almost entirely due to water loss and would be regained very soon after a normal diet was resumed. What is the biochemical basis for this argument?
(b) A few people on this diet died. What are some of the dangers inherent in the diet, and how can they lead to death?

Principles of Biochemistry

David L. Nelson,… 7th Edition

Chapter 18, Problem 9

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Lottie Adams

02/22/2021

Step 1

The nitrogen from these amino acids is removed through the process of metabolism, resulting in the production of urea. This urea needs to be diluted with large quantities of water and excreted in the urine. Show more…

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A weight-reducing diet heavily promoted some years ago required the daily intake of "liquid protein" (soup of hydrolyzed gelatin), water, and an assortment of vitamins. All other food and drink were to be avoided. People on this diet typically lost 10 to 14 lb in the first week.(a) Opponents argued that the weight loss was almost entirely due to water loss and would be regained very soon after a normal diet was resumed. What is the biochemical basis for this argument? (b) A few people on this diet died. What are some of the dangers inherent in the diet, and how can they lead to death?

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Key Concepts

Glycogen Depletion and Water Loss

Glycogen stored in the liver and muscle is bound to a significant amount of water. In diets that restrict carbohydrates, these glycogen stores are rapidly depleted, resulting in the loss of the water that was associated with them. This mechanism explains why individuals might experience rapid weight loss that is primarily due to water loss rather than a reduction in body fat.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Metabolic Imbalances

An extreme, restrictive diet that eliminates most foods except a single protein source and vitamins is prone to produce nutritional deficiencies. Without access to a balanced supply of carbohydrates, fats, and a full spectrum of amino acids, the body is forced into metabolic states such as ketosis and increased proteolysis. These changes can lead to electrolyte disturbances, impaired organ function, and stress on cardiovascular and renal systems, which in severe cases can contribute to life?threatening conditions.

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