The advantages of having a healthy weight are irrefutable. Losing only 5 to 10 percent of your weight can boost your overall wellbeing. It can also lessen the risk of health complications such as heart conditions, diabetes, and obesity. On the other hand, dropping extra pounds may also result in unforeseen challenges. Many of these problems occur when you shed a substantial amount of weight in a short time span, particularly under fad diets. These diets often come with the promise of losing weight in under a week. Although plenty of positives may skyrocket, including a healthier lifestyle, an increase in your energy levels, better hair, and skin, et al; the downsides are likely to vary by person and their weight loss journey.
Adverse Weight Loss Effects
If you are obese or overweight, weight loss is always recommended. That’s because it puts you at less risk of numerous health complications, such as:
· high blood pressure
· heart disease
· some cancers
· high cholesterol
· diabetes
· joint disease
Most people can lose weight gradually and without experiencing significant complications. However, rapid weight loss or extremely low-calorie-diet weight loss programs can have adverse effects.
Weight Loss Background
Your doctor may encourage weight loss if you are obese or overweight, as denoted by a body mass index or BMI of over 25. Body mass index is a formula that uses your weight and height to ascertain if your weight is too low, in the healthy category, obese or overweight. If your body mass index is 25 or more, your doctor is likely to recommend a low-calorie diet of about 1,200 calories daily.
Side Effects of Very Low-Calorie Diets
Also known as VLCDs, very-low-calorie diets comprise the intake of 800 or fewer calories per day. However, they are only recommended for moderately to extremely obese persons. These diets often result in weight loss of about 3 to 5 pounds weekly.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind before you follow very-low-calorie weight-loss diets.
Ü Gallstones – The Cleveland Clinic notes that rapid weight loss can reduce the ability of your gallbladder to contract bile. This can, in turn, increase the risk of gallstone formation.
Solution: You can decrease your risk of this adverse effect by losing weight more gradually. Moreover, you'll want to remember that obesity puts you at a higher risk of gallstones.
Ü Poor Nutrition – Some weight-loss diets emphasize one food type over others. This will likely result in poor nutrition. For instance, a diet that eliminates carbs will decrease your intake of vitamin C, antioxidants, soluble fiber, plus several other vitamins found in fruits and vegetables. Poor nutrition can make you more vulnerable to diseases, weaken your bones, and even cause psychological problems.
Solution: You can avoid such adverse effects by sticking to a diet with a wide range of foods moderately instead of completely avoiding one or more food types.
Considerations
Although weight loss can have adverse effects on your health, there are ways to avoid such complications. For example, you can adhere to a well-balanced diet, emphasizing fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, vegetables, and lean meat. You can consume these foods in moderation to lose weight without putting your health in jeopardy. Also, you’ll want to eliminate sugary processed foods and saturated fats to lose weight slowly and improve your health.
Consult a nutritionist if you are experiencing problems with your weight loss. A competent nutrition expert will help you improve your diet and keep off any adverse effects of weight loss. Plus, it’s important to involve a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in eating disorders like food addiction. This is especially important if you have a history of adverse effects of weight loss and are trying to lose weight.