The Biochemistry of Nutrition

Why I chose to do this project:

The concept of dietary intake is often distorted by incorrect information, and by diet and cosmetic industries’ biased commercial interests. Did you know that the diet industry has a net worth of $72 billion? By studying biochemistry and nutrition, I came to realize the flawed logic that underpins diet culture, and developed a passion for exploring and sharing these scientific findings.

My interest in biochemistry developed somewhat concurrently with my interest in nutrition. I remember learning about metabolism and macronutrients in my 10th grade biology class. I also ran cross-country and track. I learned from class the reasons why I couldn’t develop strength or endurance without consuming adequate nutrients, and I wanted to improve at the sport. This led to my fascination with nutritional science, on which I began to further educate myself. My scientific interests expanded into a passion for fighting against diet culture, a system that values low body weight over health.

Obviously, one's diet is one's own choice, and I cannot give an objective, binary answer on what is "good" or "bad" for the personal needs of another individual. However, there truly is a general lack of information surrounding weight-loss and other physique-related diets; my ultimate goal with this project is to, by sharing scientific findings on the nexus of biochemistry and nutrition, help others better understand the functioning of their bodies, make more informed decisions about nutrition, and reduce diet culture’s harmful effects on human health and wellness -- both mental and physical.

by Carrie Everett