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Christian Lam
Professor Mike Kalustian
Speech and Communication 006
September 19, 2013
Weight Loss: High-Fat Diet vs. High-Carb Diet
Why is it that a new miracle invention comes out every year claiming that it is the
newest, revolutionary renovation in science and technology designed to melts fat, when the
things that do work stay the same? My name is Christian Lam and I am a college student with
the intentions of majoring in biomedical sciences. I have taken physiology courses and
psychology courses throughout my career as a student and I am firm believer in informing my
audience with every last detail; despite the fact that the evidence may go against me. Weight
loss is much easier than it seems; all of the answers to life are hidden behind the word clich
(Shay Carl). Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of
change (Tony Robbins). Weight loss occurs when one can overcome his or her greatest enemy;
themselves.
There is a common misconception that a high-fat diet will automatically constitute to
weight gain as compared to a high-carbohydrate diet. However, high-carbohydrate diets are
known to lead to cardiovascular diseases, weight gain, and even diabetes whereas the healthy
fats, such as Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids, increase heart health, lower
cholesterol, shed weight, and even lower the risk of heart disease. Doctors have always known
that a diet consisting of white bread, oatmeal, fruit juice, etc. can lead to developing heart
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problems. However, ScienceDaily and Diabetes.org explain how Dr. Michael Shechter of
Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine and the Heart Institute of Sheba Medical
Center with collaboration of the Endocrinology Institute discovered that foods with a high
glycemic index (GI the measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels)
distended brachial arteries for several hours. Over time, arterial aggravation caused by a high-
carb diet can lead to a decrease in elasticity of the arteries, thus, leading to heart disease or even
sudden death.
It all started with the Food and Drug Associations 1990s Food Guide Pyramid. The
Pyramid allocated carb-heavy foods such as whole grains and enriched wheat products as the
foundation of ones diet, and foods with any fat content as something one should consume
sparingly. Popular breakfast companies such as General Mills, Kelloggs, and Quaker Oats have
advertised on such claiming that breakfast cereals and oatmeals, all of which contain high
amounts of carbohydrates, can lead to a healthier lifestyle; therefore, demonizing the word fat by
introducing alternative products that are fat-free or low-fat alternatives thus luring most
households to lessen their fat intake and increased their carbohydrate intake in the belief that one
would lose weight and become heart-healthy. However, due to the discovery of the effects of
high-carb diets, the FDA has since then released a revamped Food Pyramid and a new Food
Plate in 2005; depicting a more ideal diet/meal guideline consisting of an equally balanced diet
rather than one mainly consisting of carbohydrates. This new approach has been proven to be
quite fruitful; however, our old school ideals and todays commercialized healthy diets have
shaped new minds and have only refined the older generations belief that a high-carb diet is the
key to a healthier lifestyle and an increased life span. A popular 2004 Documentary called Super
Size Me explored the fast food industry's corporate influence on society and how it encourages
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poor nutrition for its own profit. In the documentary, Morgan Spurlock, an American
Documentary filmmaker and political activist, touched upon how corporations practically threw
money into corporate advertising as compared to the FDAs budget; depicting that the corporate
advertising overwhelmingly outweighed how much the FDA was given to advertise a healthier
diet. Because corporations are capable of ubiquitously advertising their products, they are able
to benefit on how much the public does not know.
For this purpose, in order to change the way we eat and the way we act, we must be fully
educated and fully informed on what is going into our mouths. Losing weight is known
throughout the world that the key is 70% diet, and 30% exercise; therefore, it is important to
check the nutrition facts of any food. It can easily inform one on the macronutrients inside the
product and how many chemicals have been put into the food to enhance flavor, change
consistency, increasing shelf-life, and much, much, more. Other ways to lose weight are eating
healthy foods, preferably low in carbohydrates, dieting, and fasting can all help one to shed
weight. For example, one diet that has been shown to quite possibly be the key to a longer-
lasting life is the ketogenic diet. The Greeks had done it, and further research had begun around
the 1920s and the 1930s. It has shown that it has the ability to shed weight, cure epilepsy, and
quite possibly cure cancer. The ketogenic diet consists of a high-fat, adequate-protein, and low-
carb diet; all in all, forcing the body to burn fat as a main energy source rather than
carbohydrates. When there are very little carbohydrates in the diet, the body goes into a state of
ketosis in which the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies. Fatty acids such as
triglycerides and phospholipids yield high amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the bodys
source of energy, when metabolized. Ketone body levels become elevated which then signal the
brain to replace glucose as an energy source; therefore completely utilizing the bodys natural fat
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stores as energy. Losing weight is also easier when we educate ourselves on the theories, the
success stories, and the myths. For example, every year, a new invention comes out claiming
that it is the miracle creation that just burns fat off without having to change a single thing in
ones lifestyle. However, the one process that never changes, is exercise; all in all coming down
to the hard work, dedication, pain, and the determination. Our culture doesnt love, love; it
loves the idea of love. It wants the emotion without the sacrifice (Matt Chandler). This quote
can be applied to weight loss no one wants to lose weight; they just love the idea of losing
weight. They want to lose weight without the pain, without the hard work, without the
dedication, and without the determination.
In conclusion, miracles are nothing but myths for a person must work for everything he
or she has now. In order to lose weight, one must be determined, dedicated, willful, and
courageous. You are your own enemy and your own ally. Inform yourself on the facts for the
corporation giants feed and profit off of the less you know. Losing weight all comes down to
your diet and your exercise; however, it is best to lower the amount of carbohydrates you eat and
to level your bodys macronutrients in order to lose weight. Carbohydrates can be nutritious,
although, too many carbohydrates can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Fat can be unhealthy,
however, your omega-3s and your omega-6s will extend your life expectancy and ultimately
shape a better you. Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain
of change (Tony Robbins). Weight loss occurs when one can overcome his or her greatest
enemy; themselves.


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Works Cited

"All About Diabetes." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 30 Jan. 2010. Web. 18
Sept. 2013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 03
Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2013.
Dolson, Laura. "What Is Ketosis?" About.com Low Carb Diets. N.p., 29 July 2013. Web. 18
Sept. 2013.
"History of the Ketogenic Diet." History of the Ketogenic Diet. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2013.
"Ketogenic Diet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2013.
"Super Size Me." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 May 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2013.
Tel Aviv University. "How High Carbohydrate Foods Can Raise Risk For Heart
Problems."ScienceDaily, 27 Jun. 2009. Web. 18 Sep. 2013.
Types of Fats-Topic Overview." WebMD. WebMD, 3 May 2011. Web. 18 Sept. 2013.