Which of the following is an advantage of choosing beans as a source of protein instead of beef?

Choice A reason: Iron-deficiency anemia results from inadequate iron intake or absorption, not high cholesterol. Meat, a key protein source, is rich in heme iron, reducing anemia risk. High cholesterol from meat consumption does not directly cause anemia, as cholesterol affects lipid metabolism, not iron homeostasis.

Choice B reason: High cholesterol from excessive meat consumption, particularly red meat high in saturated fats, elevates low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, promoting atherosclerosis. This increases the risk of heart disease by forming arterial plaques, which can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, or strokes, making this the correct choice.

Choice C reason: Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is unrelated to high cholesterol levels. It results from imbalanced carbohydrate metabolism or insulin issues, not lipid intake from meat. Cholesterol affects cardiovascular health, not glucose regulation, making this an incorrect choice for the condition described.

Choice D reason: Osteoporosis is caused by low bone density, often linked to inadequate calcium or vitamin D, not high cholesterol. While poor diet may contribute, cholesterol from meat does not directly affect bone health, as it primarily impacts lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk, making this incorrect.

Choice A reason: Positive nitrogen balance occurs when nitrogen intake exceeds excretion, promoting muscle growth, as seen in athletes or pregnancy. In elderly clients with muscle wasting, protein breakdown exceeds synthesis, leading to muscle loss, making this an incorrect assumption for the observed condition.

Choice B reason: Gluconeogenesis is the liver’s process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, like amino acids, during starvation or low carbohydrate intake. While it may occur in muscle wasting, it is not the primary cause or indicator, as muscle loss is driven by protein catabolism.

Choice C reason: Negative nitrogen balance indicates protein breakdown exceeds intake, common in elderly clients with muscle wasting due to inadequate protein consumption, illness, or reduced absorption. This leads to muscle loss, as amino acids are not sufficiently replaced, aligning with the observed symptoms.

Choice D reason: Ketosis occurs when the body burns fat for energy, producing ketones, typically during low-carbohydrate diets. While it may accompany malnutrition, it is not directly linked to muscle wasting, which is primarily driven by protein deficiency and catabolism in this context.