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I am a 27 year-old wife and mother of two. I am currently in a Grad School Intervention Specialist Program, though my undergrad was in Journalism and that is were my real passion lies. Don't get me wrong, I know I will love what I do...I have worked with kids with Special Needs for half my life, but I also have a great passion for journalism and literature.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Protein Sparing Modified Fast, what is it?

"The Protein-Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF) is designed for rapid weight loss and incorporates medical, nutritional, and behavioral components. The goal of this diet is to reach an appropriate body weight as determined by your physician and dietitian.
Carbohydrate, protein, and fat are the nutrients in food that provide energy for proper functioning, maintenance, and repair of the body. In addition to these three nutrients, the human body requires water, vitamins, and minerals for good health.
While on the PSMF program, only lean meat, seafood, poultry, and a limited amount of low-carbohydrate vegetables should be eaten. Carbohydrates and additional forms of fat are not allowed on this program. The high protein intake is to prevent the body from using its own protein stores in muscles, tissues, and cells for energy. Thus the program is a "modified" fast.
Carbohydrates are usually the body's primary source of energy. Since a very limited amount of carbohydrates are consumed, fat becomes the primary fuel source for the body. This rapid breakdown of fat produces ketones that spill into the urine, called ketosis. Ketones in the urine are desirable. While in ketosis, most people lose their appetite, which is a benefit of this program. A large amount of the water in your body is stored with carbohydrates. Since carbohydrate intake is severely limited and storage is severely depleted, dehydration is a health concern. To compensate, adequate quantities of fluid, sodium, and prescription potassium are required each day. Eating foods that are not appropriate can stop ketosis, which not only means less weight reduction, but it can cause dangerous shifts in the body's fluid and electrolytes."

2 comments:

  1. Oh please be careful with anything like this! I'm a grad student too, with a Bachelor's in Health and finishing another in Nutrition, and finishing my Master's in Counseling. Believe me when I say there is no such thing as a diet. There is either healthy eating or not.

    By the way, I love your profile bit. I feel the same way. I have an incredible passion for photography and journalism, but I'm studying to be a nutritional counselor. I love what I do, but sometimes I wish it was closer to my other passions :)

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  2. I absolutely agree with you, I have just been unfortunate in the fact that no matter what I do I can't seem to lose weight after I was diagnosed with PCOS. And after having two babies... it's become a joke! I have a personal trainer and a dietician...still nothing. So after about a million blood tests they said give this a try. You reach a certain level of desperate and all you can do is try one more thing. So I am.
    Am being very vigilant and careful though. And I just have to hope that the very slow "re-feeding" process (I hate that term...makes me feel like a barnyard animal!) will work in preventing me from gaining the weight back. So right now I am just hoping for the best and that after all this I will be able to return to my normal balanced diet (that part was never the issue) and not have to do this kind of thing ever again!

    I also love photography by the way...always had dreams of working for National Geographic or something writing and taking pictures! :o)

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