Positive vs Negative Effects of Alternative Diets

On the basis of own studies and literature data, the most common alternatives to healthy diets and the subsequent health risk effects are discussed. The experimental studies presented show that in reduced or irregular eating patterns the deficiency of nutrients or their irregular intake activates the systems of absorption of energetic components of food at the expense of the absorption of the structure ones. This can explain the so-called ”yo-yo effect” when normal eating habits are resumed. The authors also discuss the “phenomenon of satiety”, characterised by suppression of the systems for hydrolysis and transport of a given nutrient during a period of intensive and prolonged intake. At the same time a deficient intake of a nutrient stimulates the systems for its absorption. On account of this, eating regimens are discussed, where the intake of one nutrient is increased at the expense of another Such types of diets can cause serious metabolic disorders with harmful health consequences. Different options of vegetarian diets are analysed with emphasis on the risk health effects of the diets with permanent exclusion of animal products. The scientific view on “split diet” is discussed and some principles of its use are explained.