As I was writing this, I realised how big this topic actually is, and decided to leave micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) for another post. I really hope through reading this you will understand why balance is so important for your body to perform at optimum function.
Fat Restriction: Hormonal imbalances and cessation of menstruation.We need fatty acids to assist with hormone production and secretion. If the body has no fat to use, it can’t make the right amount of hormones needed for healthy menstruation, which is actually really scary. WOMEN NEED FAT. We were designed to carry weight in certain areas, to ovulate and prepare our bodies for childbirth. Stopping this natural process not only is a massive pain to correct, but will in turn effect your mood too. Don’t think you’re in the clear, guys. Cholesterol is needed for the production of ALL sex hormones, including testosterone and steroid hormones from your adrenal glands. Restricting fat is actually not letting your body perform at it’s full potential. Inadequate conversion of the fat soluble vitamins- A, D, E and K. These ever so important vitamins are fat soluble, meaning they need fat for absorption and conversion into their active forms. This will effect things like vision, gut lining and therefore immunity, bone health, mood, blood clotting and hormonal production and support.
We need cholesterol in our bodies as it is an important component of bile, and an insufficiency can lead to bloating, indigestion, nausea, constipation and other general digestive complications. Depression and Anxiety You’ve heard of EPA and DHA right? If not, they’re the fatty acids found in fish oils, and they play a large role in brain function and structure. Fats in general are important for maintaining the function of our brains, and like I mentioned earlier, play a big role in hormone production. With an imbalance in hormones and deprivation of fat for our brains, it is very likely that mood will be everywhere. Poor quality of hair, skin and nails Ever wonder how the western Europeans and mediterranian cultures always appear to have flawless skin? Fats are 100% responsible for making up our cell membranes. This is the stuff that protects our cells from damage.
Protein Restriction: Delayed metabolic rate Protein is actually pretty hard for the body to process, which means that it takes more energy. More energy used for digestion means an increase in metabolic rate, making your body more efficient at burning fuel. Insufficient bile Certain amino acids (protein building blocks), such as taurine, are needed for bile production. As mentioned in the fat restriction section, bile is essential for the breakdown of nutrients and other digestive processes. It is common to feel nauseous, constipated and bloated when bile production is lessened. Weakened hair, skin, and nails Protein is the building material for hair, skin and bone (amongst some other things). It also contributes to the pH of our bodies staying in balance, as well as adequate functioning of our hormones, things that play a large role in hair skin and nail health. Increased risk of depression and anxiety Many of our important neurotransmittors are made from specific amino acids, teamed together with certain vitamins and minerals.
For example, 2 vital ingredients of serotonin are tryptophan and vitamin B3. Without proper serotonin function, we can lose energy, feel cranky and low, and we can’t make melatonin (the sleep hormone). Blood sugar imbalances Protein rich foods keep us satisfied, and do not spike our insulin. This means that including protein in every meal balances out our appetite, and increases metabolic rate.
Carbohydrate Restriction: Mental fatigue and inability to retain information Glucose is a form of sugar, and as you will know if you’ve read our blog on CARBS, is the preferred source of fuel for our brain, as well as the only source of fuel for our red blood cells. If carbohydrates are restricted from the diet for a long period of time, not only does our brain struggle to focus and retain information, but our blood cells suffer drastically too. Constipation Fibre is supremely important for optimal gut health. There are different types of fibre, and each has a role to play, but most importantly, fibre is found in carbohydrate rich foods. Sweet potato, veggies, legumes, fermented foods and fruits are high in fibre and absolutely essential for regulating bowel movements. Muscle wasting and weakness So again, in previous blogs we have spoken about gluconeogenesis, which in simple terms means muscle wasting through the body kicking into survival mode and breaking down muscle for energy due to a lack of glycogen. Glycogen, as the name suggests, comes from glucose, and is the stored energy in muscles and liver. Along with these issues, restrictive eating also deprives the body of vitamins and minerals.
To make this clear, we need ALL of the vitamins and minerals equally, as they work with one another to keep our bodies happy and healthy. I hope this has helped you guys understand why balance is so very important! Nanci xx
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