K-E Diet Controversy

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/18/health/feeding-tube-allergies/index.html?hpt=he_c2

K-E Diet

     The K-E Diet has been highlighted in the news lately.  It is a diet that targets brides.  It is a quick fix weight loss diet that claims patients will lose 1% of their body weight in 10 days if they adhere to the diets strict instructions.  The only catch is that all caloric intake comes from a feeding tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach.  The tube then feeds the patient 24hrs a day for 10 days.  Please read the brochure and watch the video that are linked to the websites below.

Client on the K-E Diet

 Speaking About the K-E Diet: http://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/167837_RAJGsfkXkDeJ0zfWwghIDFyo5.pdf

Today Show: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041426/ns/today-today_health/#47059407

With individuals who have diabetes, their insulin is not functioning properly.  Simply stated, insulin is the key to open up a body cell to accept glucose (sugar) in order for the cell to function properly.  If the insulin does not unlock the cell then glucose will continue to stay in the blood stream.  Normal fat tissue breakdown (lipolysis) requires the presence of glucose.  This glucose then relies on insulin to open the glucose channel to enter into the cell of our body. 

     Ketones are acids.  When there is an excess of fat breaking down in the body, there is an increase in ketone formation which causes ketoacidosis*.  If there is a continuation of ketones present in the blood stream this can result in coma or death. 

     In order to combat ketoacidosis one must intake an adequate amount of carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates help provide sufficient energy to combat catabolism (metabolic process of breaking down large substances to yield smaller building blocks) of tissue protein and prevent starvation ketosis (accumulation of ketones in the blood).

    With all of that said, the K-E diet has placed patients bodies into a state of ketoacidosis, pretty much flooding their blood stream with acid or placing their body into a catabolic state.  The K-E diet only allows the patient to intake (through a feeding tube) 800 calories every 24 hours.  The average person’s Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is roughly 1400-2000 calories.  BMR is the number of calories you would burn if you stay in bed all day long (no getting up, working, sitting, walking, working out, etc).  In other words, the K-E diet is a starvation diet and in my opinion should be associated with anorexia because it is depriving your body of calories it needs to function properly. 

*Ketoacidosis: excess production of ketones; a form of metabolic acidosis that occurs in uncontrolled diabetes or starvation from burning body fat for energy fuel; a continuing, uncontrolled state that can result in coma or death