Soal Asli UTBK SNBT 2014 Literasi Bahasa Inggris (LBE)

Bacaan untuk soal nomor 2 dan seterusnya

Passage 6 Ginger, buts, fatty fish, and whole grains are just some of the many foods that have been publicized to have anti-inflammatory properties. But do they work? It turns out that experts agree that eating a diet rich in such foods may in fact help lower the levels of inflammation in the body. However, they stress that adding or increasing the consumption of any one food is likely not going to have a profound effect on one's health. In a new, small study, researchers found that men who consumed flaxseed for 42 days experienced a significant decrease in inflammatory markers compared with men who did not consume flaxseed. In another study, the authors found that taking ginger root extract appeared to reduce markers of colon inflammation. In addition, according to the results of a study, curcumin, which is the main compound in the spice turmeric, which is used in curry, could help suppress biological mechanisms that lead to the inflammation in diseases of the tendons. Rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are some of the conditions that have been linked with higher levels of inflammation. However, Kirkpatrick stressed that adding just one specific food to your diet is unlikely to work wonders for lowering inflammation, or for improving health in general. Kirkpatrick also stressed that people who take dietary supplements do not get the same results as those who consume real foods that have anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, in order to lower inflammation through diet, it is also important to stay away from foods that can promote inflammation, such as sugar, she said. "So it is not just about adding these things in, it is also about taking proinflammatory foods out," said Kirkpatrick. "Food is medicine, but it is hard to compare medicine that is created in a lab with something that is grown in the ground to determine what is going to be beneficial," Kirkpatrick said. Depending on a person's condition, and the reasons for their inflammation, medication may be necessary, while food can still be a nice add-on.

Bacaan untuk soal nomor 3 dan seterusnya

Passage 5 The benefits of fasting must be preceded by a look at the body's progression when deprived of food. Due to the lack of incoming energy, the body must turn to its own resources, a function called autolysis. Autolysis is the breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. The liver is in charge of converting the fats into a chemical called a ketone body, "the metabolic substances acetoacetic acid and betahydroxybutyric acid", and then distributing these bodies throughout the body via the blood stream. "When this fat utilization occurs, free fatty acids are released into the blood stream and are used by the liver for energy." The less one eats, the more the body turns to these stored fats and creates these ketone bodies, the accumulation of which is referred to as ketosis. Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. "Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin." This process is precipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat reserves for energy. A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis. In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production. Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently.