eating ‘proper,’ ‘pure,’ or ‘superior’ foods.’’ People
with orthorexia allow their fixation with eating the
correct amount of properly prepared healthy foods
at the correct time of day to take over their lives.
This interest in correct eating only becomes an eat-
ing disorder when the obsession interferes with relation-
ships and daily activities.For example, an orthorectic
may be unwilling to eat at restaurants or friends’ homes
because the food is ‘‘impure’’ or improperly prepared.
The limitations they put on what they will eat can cause
serious vitamin and mineralimbalances. Orthorectics
are judgmental about what other people eat to the
point where it interferes with personal relationships.
They justify their fixation by claiming that their way of
eating is healthy. Some experts believe orthorexia may
be a variation of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In addition potential psychological harm, without
rigorous meal planning, raw foodists are at high risk of
developing certain vitamin deficiencies, depending on
whether they follow a vegan, vegetarian, or meat-eat-
ing raw food diet. Vegans are at highest risk. The most
common deficiencies are of vitamin B 12 and protein.Research and general acceptance
The public does not generally accept a diet of raw
food. Many medical practitioners and nutritionists
also express skepticism about the ability of people on
the raw food diet to get an adequate balance of vita-
mins, minerals, and protein to maintain long-term
health. However, this diet undeniably reduces many
of the risks (e.g.obesity, high cholesterol, hightrigly-
cerides) associated with the development of cardio-
vascular disease.
Few large, well-designed, long-term studies have
been done on the raw food diet. One 2005 study looked
at the bone health of a group of 18 volunteers who had
followed a raw food vegetarian diet for at least 10
years and compared them to volunteers who ate aKEY TERMS
Alternative medicine—A system of healing that
rejects conventional, pharmaceutical-based medi-
cine and replaces it with the use of dietary supple-
ments and therapies such as herbs, vitamins,
minerals, massage, and cleansing diets. Alternative
medicine includes well-established treatment sys-
tems such as homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Med-
icine, and Ayurvedic medicine, as well as more-
recent, fad-driven treatments.
Body Mass Index (BMI)—A measurement of fatness
that compares height to weight.
Carotenoids—Fat-soluble plant pigments, some of
which are important to human health.
Cholesterol—A waxy substance made by the liver
and also acquired through diet. High levels in the
blood may increase the risk of cardiovascular
disease.
Conventional medicine—Mainstream or Western
pharmaceutical-based medicine practiced by medi-
cal doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and other
licensed health care professionals
Dietary fiber—Also known as roughage or bulk.
Insoluble fiber moves through the digestive system
almost undigested and gives bulk to stools. Soluble
fiber dissolves in water and helps keep stools soft.
Dietary supplement—A product, such as a vitamin,
mineral, herb, amino acid, or enzyme, that isintended to be consumed in addition to an individu-
al’s diet with the expectation that it will improve
health
Enzyme—A protein that change the rate of a chem-
ical reaction within the body without themselves
being used up in the reaction
Mineral—An inorganic substance found in the earth
that is necessary in small quantities for the body to
maintain a health. Examples: zinc, copper, iron.
Naturopathic medicine—An alternative system of
healing that uses primarily homeopathy, herbal
medicine, and hydrotherapy and rejects most con-
ventional drugs as toxic.
Osteoporosis—A condition found in older individu-
als in which bones decrease in density and become
fragile and more likely to break. It can be caused by
lack of vitamin D and/or calcium in the diet.
Toxin—A general term for something that harms or
poisons the body
Triglycerides—A type of fat found in the blood. High
levels of triglycerides can increase the risk of coro-
nary artery disease
Vitamin—A nutrient that the body needs in small
amounts to remain healthy but that the body can-
not manufacture for itself and must acquire
through dietRaw foods diet