Disease and Nutrition Assignment 2022

Running head: DISEASE AND NUTRITION
DISEASE AND NUTRITION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Introduction
For the purpose of gaining and maintaining optimum levels of energy and functional
capacity, the consumption of a nutritious diet – balanced in terms of micronutrients and
macronutrients – is of utmost importance. The intake of a healthy and nutritionally adequate diet
assists one to sustain daily life activities, everyday wear and tear and most importantly, prevent
harmful consequences during the face of disease (Rondanelli et al., 2015). Similarly, while one’s
diet plays a key role in the maintenance of positive health outcomes, a diet which demonstrates
inadequacy in terms of nutrients also contributes extensively to a state of disease and associated
health complications (Marangoni et al., 2015). The following paper will hence provide an
elaborate and extensive on the role of diet as a key influencer of disease pathology progression as
well as in the achievement of recovery.
The following sections of this paper will draw upon the association between diet, disease
pathology and medications by taking insights from the case profile of the patient, C.J. It is
known that patient CJ is a 30 year old Caucasian female, who is Jewish and with a height and
weight of 5 feet 7 (170. 18 cm) inches and 135 lb (61.2 kg) respectively. She is single mother of
two children, working for five days a week and engages in moderate levels of physical activity.
She has a medical history of Crohn’s disease and her current dietary intake is in alignment with
the Atkins’s diet. Her current medications include a daily oral intake of 1000 mg of calcium and
2 grams of sulfasalazine respectively.
This paper will hence discuss comprehensively on how CJ’s current diet may be
associated with her present condition and progression of Crohn’s disease and how it may or not
may not be altered to ensure her road to recovery and achieving an optimum nutritional status.

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The initial sections of this paper will first evaluate the presence of any macronutrient or
micronutrient excesses and deficiencies in CJ, by taking insights from a sample Atkin’s diet
which she may be following. The succeeding sections of the paper will evaluate the CJ’s diet as
a major determinant of disease pathology in relation to specifically three foods which are
currently a part of her diet. This will then be followed by the a discussion on the three foods
which CJ must reduce or increase in her intake to ensure disease prevention and progression.
This section will also provide key insights on interactions between specific nutrients and drugs
consumed by CJ and the dietary alterations she may need to implement to ensure avoidance of
any adverse reactions. Lastly, this paper will calculate CJ’s macronutrient requirements based on
her anthropometric measurements followed by the development of an evidenced-based
nutritional plan based comprising of holistic lifestyle and dietary interventions.
Discussion
Part I: The Diet
Macronutrient Content
From the give study, it is known that the concerned patient CJ is consuming the Atkins
diet. The Atkins diet was developed by Robert Atkins, with the principle that carbohydrates are
the root cause of metabolic and chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes and
cardiovascular diseases (Tan-Shalaby et al., 2016). Thus the Atkins diet believes that the
complete removal or stringent restrictions on carbohydrate intake coupled with a high calorie
diet obtained from fats, is the key to achieving optimum health outcomes (Naude et al., 2017).
Upon extensive evaluation of the official website of the Atkins diet, it can be observed
that this popular dietary practice provides three types of diets based on the unique individual

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needs and weight management goals of individuals, that is Atkins 20, Atkins 40 and the Atkins
100 diet respectively. For the purpose of evaluation of the CJ’s macronutrient intake, we can
consider the Atkins 100 diet. The Atkins 100 diet, as claimed by the official website, has been
designed for the purpose of maintaining weight across individuals who do not encounter issues
related to obesity or if their health conditions do not permit them to consume a restrictive diet,
such as during pregnancy or lactation (Atkins, 2019). Taking insights from CJ’s anthropometric
assessments (Table 1), it is clear that she belongs to a normal and healthy range of Body Mass
Index (BMI). Thus, it can be assumed that CJ’s dietary principles comprise of the Atkins 100
diet.
The Atkins 100 diet permits clients to consume 100 grams of carbohydrate distributed
across two snacks and three major meals per day, and are to be derived from limited sources of
whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat pasta and foundations vegetables like green leafy
vegetables, kale, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower and asparagus. Since details on CJ’s diet has not
been specified, it is likely that her diet is in alignment with the sample Atkins 100 standard meal
plan provided in the website (Figure 1) (Atkins, 2019). Considering her normal weight and
moderately active lifestyle, CJ’s RDA of macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats
will be as per a 2180 calorie diet stipulated by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA, 2019). Comparing between a standard Atkins meal plan consumed by CJ and the USDA
macronutrient guidelines as per activity levels and anthropometric measurements, major
imbalances in CJ’s macronutrient intake can be observed (Figure 4).
One of major imbalances which can be observed is a deficient consumption of
carbohydrates in CJ’s diet followed by deficiencies in her protein intake as per a 2180 calorie
diet stipulated by the USDA (MyFitnessPal, 2019). A major contributing factor underlying the

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reason for such deficient intakes is the consumption of a diet with deficient amounts of
carbohydrate and protein-rich sources like grains, cereal products, poultry and meats, dairy and
legumes (Mansoor et al., 2016). Indeed, as evident in CJ ‘s sample Atkins meal plan (Figure 1,
Figure 2), her consumption of the above foods are indeed low thus contributing to her
macronutrient deficiencies.
Proteins are the key buildings blocks of muscles and tissues and play a key role in wound
healing, tissue repair and regeneration. Thus, a deficient consumption of proteins, not only
aggravates loss and wastage of essential muscle but also hampers the secretion of substances like
antibodies and enzymes, necessary for digestion and immunity and whose major foundational
component are amino acids (Solon-Biet et al., 2015). Further, carbohydrates are the major source
of energy and fiber and hence, a deficient intake of the same, deprives one from essential energy
and may result in fatigue, constipation and a state of malnutrition (Simpson, Le Couteur &
Raubenheimer, 2015). Indeed, as per the given calculations (Figure 4) CJ is at risk of becoming
underweight and malnourished along with having her muscle mass and immunity compromised.
Further, a compensatory mechanism in response to low-calorie and low-carbohydrate diets is
gluconeogenesis - where energy for cellular mechanisms are sourced from non-carbohydrate
sources like proteins. Such mechanisms result in usage of proteins as a source of energy rather
than an intrinsic source of tissue building (Arentson-Lantz et al., 2015). Thus, taking insights
from the sample diet and intake calculations (Table 4), it is likely that CJ’s is at risk of muscle
loss and wastage, reduced energy levels and compromised digestive and immunological status.
Further, it is known that CJ has a history of Crohn’s disease – an inflammatory bowel
disorder characterized by pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, loss of weight, inflammatory damage
within the gastrointestinal tissues and fatigue. Thus, it is likely that such a diet with carbohydrate

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and protein deficiency will aggravate pathological processes of Crohn’s disease in CJ and
increase her risk of muscle catabolism, tissue loss, malnutrition and unhealthy weight loss
(Ruemmele, 2016).
Instead of consuming a diet with adequate food sources of carbohydrates and proteins, it
can be observed that CJ’s diet is rich in saturated fat sources like bacon, chocolate, meat and
white sauce. Such a diet which is rich in saturated fat sources are reason why an individual’s fat
intake exceeds the recommended levels (Chiu, Williams & Krauss, 2017). Indeed, it for this
reason why it can be observed that CJ’s consumption of fat is exceeding USDA guidelines as per
calorific needs and activity levels (Figure 4).
The high intake of a diet which is saturated fat is of concern in terms of chronic disease
in CJ. A high dietary fat consumption has been linked increased accumulation of adipose tissue
which not only results in obesity, but can be deposited as fatty acid streaks within blood vessels
resulting in oxidation, inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque formation (Horowitz et al.,
2018). Thus, despite consuming relatively low calories which is beneficial for weight loss or
management, if such a diet if not controlled, it can increase the risk of fatal cardiovascular
disease in CJ (Tay et al., 2018). Further, due to the role of lipid metabolism in increasing
inflammation, it is likely that such a diet will result in tissue inflammation and irritation within
the gastrointestinal tract, which may further lead to cramps and diarrhea. Thus, in addition to
chronic disease risk and deficiency related disorders, it is likely that such a high fat diet will
possible cause a flare up of CJ’s symptoms of Crohn’s disease (Devkota & Chang, 2015).
Instead of gaining necessary energy and proteins, the Atkins sample diet followed by CJ
attempts to compensate the calorie deficit by increasing fat content. While such a diet may seem
beneficial for short term weight loss and management goals, the prevalent nutrient imbalances

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(Figure 4) may play a key role in disease pathology in CJ as well in micronutrient deficiencies,
will be discussed in the following sections.

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Figure 1: Standard Meal Plan of an ‘Atkins 100’ Diet (Source: Atkins. (2019). ATKINS 100® Standard
Menu Plan. Retrieved 28 September 2019, from https://files.atkins.com/success_stories/1908_100_Plan.pdf.