Hallelujah Diet Dangers
From LoveToKnow Diet
Does high percentage of raw food content present Hallelujah Diet dangers? Just how safe is the diet? Before you try the Hallelujah Diet, read the facts and make an informed decision.
What is the Hallelujah Diet?
The Hallelujah Diet was founded by the Reverend George Malkmus. It is one of several Bible based diets that has continued to gain popularity. The Hallelujah Diet is basically a raw food diet with 85 percent of the foods ingested consisting of raw vegetables and fruits and 15 percent of the diet made up of cooked foods. Even the cooked foods, however, must follow a strict regimen of natural foods, including whole grains. The concept behind the diet is to eat natural, God-made foods as much as possible, and eliminating preservatives or processing that can change the nutritional value of food.
Reverend Malkmus created the diet after he received a diagnosis of colon cancer. He had watched his mother suffer and die from the same disease, and he wanted an alternative to the chemotherapy and radiation treatments she had endured. An evangelist friend encouraged him to skip the drugs and change his diet, eating mostly raw fruits and vegetables and drinking carrot juice. In time, Malkmus' tumor disappeared. His desire to share his diet with others inspired the Hallelujah Diet.
Hallelujah Diet Dangers
There have been many success stories among those who have tried this Bible based diet, but what are the dangers of the Hallelujah Diet? Just as there are those who sing the praises of this diet, there are others who warn against relying on this diet as a means of losing weight and improving one's health. Because the diet is mainly a vegan one, it is often accused of being too high in carbohydrates and too low in protein. Over time, many feel that its deficiencies become more and more evident and actually become a detriment to a dieter's health.
Short Term Gains
There is no doubt that a vegan diet, including the Hallelujah Diet, offers plenty of short-term gains. A diet made up almost entirely of vegetables and some fruit will take the pounds off, and many people report a rise in energy levels. Because excess sugars are virtually eliminated, blood sugar levels remain more consistent, and people claim to feel better. Those who have been riddled with arthritis and other diseases also claim to be pain-free and disease-free as well. The testimonies are compelling, but how does the diet perform over the long term?
Long Term Problems
A lack of the vitamins B12 and D are evident in those who practice this diet, and Hallelujah Acres, the business behind the Hallelujah Diet, encourages those who follow this diet to take a supplement to supply these vitamins. The business may not point out that the diet can typically cause low levels of iron, protein, selenium, biotin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and zinc. The lack of these nutrients and the low caloric intake can result in low energy levels over an extended period of time, and while exercise is encouraged, followers of this diet may find that their propensity toward exercise is limited due to these low energy levels. Probably one of the biggest Hallelujah Diet dangers is the low protein levels. Low protein can result in many health problems, including the following:
- Low energy levels
- Bleeding gums
- Muscle cramps
- Edema
- Reduced thyroid function
- Loss of muscle
- Reduced insulin secretion
- Recurring infections
- Gross weight loss
- Thinning hair
Make an Informed Decision
Before you embark on a new dietary plan, regardless of whether it involves eating only raw vegetables, you should always consult your doctor. While many dietary plans profess to work miracles, in many cases you may need to modify the diet. While the basics behind the Hallelujah Diet involve eating nutritional foods, you may find that modifying the diet somewhat to include more protein and other vitamins will work better for you and your health needs. Read and research as much as you can, and then make an informed decision.
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