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You have this special event coming up in just a few days where you an to look as geat as you can. Problem is you have put on weight and hence contemplating a crash-diet to lose the extra pounds ASAP. Our suggestion is – think again.
Crash diets are highly constrictive weight loss plans that involve a drastic cut in calories and fat intake. Such diets are complemented with an intensive exercise regime and diet pills for faster results. However, they have severe physical and mental implications.
Initially an appreciable weight loss is experienced and you feel jubilant. But, in reality the body “loses” essential fluids and not stored fats. Due to low-calorie intake the body burns excess glycogen, which absorbs the body fluids. This initial weight loss will not be sustained. You will soon hit a plateau where losing weight becomes tougher. In fact, you will put on in excess of pounds you lost initially! This is known as “yo-yo effect,” in which crash dieters struggle constantly with losing and gaining weight.
To perform different functions, body parts require energy, which they obtain by burning calories (varies for individuals and is known as body metabolism). With reduced calorie intake, the body adjusts to using fewer calories to perform the functions. A higher calorie consumption later will make you gain weight. Remember, the body may maintain this lower metabolism for months or even years!
Now lets talk about the implications of a crash diet. During dieting, one usually notices subtle emotional and mental changes that gradually become more pronounced. You might get more irritable, impatient or depressed. The mental make-up changes drastically and gradually gives way to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
Long-term crash dieters may also suffer from grave nutritional deficiencies, particularly those of iron, potassium, sodium, calcium and vitamin B12. While lack of iron causes anemia, potassium and sodium (ensures proper functioning of nerves, muscles and heart beats) deficiency may cause a heart attack. Calcium deficiency causes Osteoporosis, in which bones become particularly fragile and brittle.
On a crash-diet one overlooks the important functions carried by heart, kidneys, liver and brain. The energy derived from the carbohydrates and calories intake are insufficient for these vital organs to perform their functions. Consequently, they burn the muscle tissues (even of organs) to compensate the deficit and the results are horrendous- kidney failure, heart attack, liver failure etc.
Researchers at University of Glasgow have proved that constant binge-diet regime adversely affects the lifespan. Experiments on stickleback fishes with such regime showed a 25 percent drop in their lifespan (particularly growing ones). Professor Neil Metcalfe suggests that the same holds true for humans and emphasized on the adverse effects on teenagers and children.
Undoubtedly, staying fit and preferably slim is important. A weight loss program, therefore must be gradual with focus on healthy living, in consultation with a doctor instead of crash dieting.
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Tags: calories, crash diet, fat, loosing weight, nutrition, weight
