Final answer:
Excessive vomiting is not a cause of metabolic acidosis; it typically leads to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of hydrogen and chloride ions from the stomach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The option that is NOT a cause of metabolic acidosis is excessive vomiting. This is because excessive vomiting can lead to a loss of hydrogen and chloride ions, which are components of hydrochloric acid (HCl), and typically results in metabolic alkalosis, not acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis generally involves an increase in acid or a decrease in bicarbonate, leading to the blood becoming too acidic. Causes include a high protein diet, which can induce production of sulfuric acid from sulfur-containing amino acids; a high fat diet leading to ketoacidosis; strenuous exercise causing lactic acid accumulation; severe diarrhea, which causes a loss of bicarbonate; and conditions like uremia or diabetic ketoacidosis that increase blood acidity. Excessive vomiting tends to do the opposite, removing acid from the body, which can cause an alkaline state, thus resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
Metabolic acidosis can occur due to various metabolic disturbances. In the given options, all except a high protein diet can result in metabolic acidosis. A high protein diet is not a direct cause of metabolic acidosis. However, excessive vomiting, severe diarrhea, heavy exercise, and a high fat diet can all lead to metabolic acidosis.