Health Problems Caused By Extreme Dieting

[ritu]

Extreme diets are often irresistible temptations for those who want lose weight easily and quickly, but they can often lead to health problems.

All extreme diets, whether low-carbs, low-fat or high protein, cause serious nutritional deficiencies that affect all organs and systems and can lead to a variety of physical, emotional and mental problems. In addition, although they can produce drastic short-term weight-loss, they don’t guarantee long-term results. Rather, people who lose weight quickly by following extreme diets regain all weight lost (sometimes even more) within a brief period of time.

Of course the most unhealthy diet is that which lacks all nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. The most extreme example of such a diet is provided by the eating habits of people affected by anorexia. In other words, people who are obsessed with food and calories and don’t eat enough food for fear of getting fat, sometimes to the point of fatal self-starvation.

In this extreme case there develop multiple nutritional deficiencies, leading to severe health problems, both physical and mental. The skin becomes dry, thin and pale (as a result of anaemia), while hair and nails become brittle. Other physical complications include sensitiveness to cold, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, palpitations and heart failure, as well as weak muscles, bone loss and fractures. Certain disorders due to hormonal imbalances occur early during extreme dieting, as a consequence of the inability of the body to produce enough amounts of hormones, especially sex hormones like estrogens. In women, these sex hormonal imbalances often lead to loss of menstrual periods, as well as to problems in getting pregnant or maintaining a pregnancy. The immune system is affected as well: people who follow extreme diets are more susceptible to falling ill because of immune dysfunction. Finally nutritional deficiencies lead to mood and mental disorders, including irritability, depression, anxiety, lack of concentration and attention, difficulty learning, forgetfulness and sleep disorders.

It is therefore clear that extreme diets are not healthy and helpful at all. And it is important to remember that almost all fad diets, although not so extreme as the typical anorectic diet, lack important nutrients and can lead to similar health complications.

So remember, if you want to lose weight, choose a healthy option and don’t follow extreme or fad diets that can be harmful for your health. Weight-loss should be a gradual process, not a quick one. And a weight-loss diet should be complete, varied, and most importantly it should be well balanced, both quantitatively and qualitatively. All nutrients are important for a healthy weight-loss, without exception. Even a diet lacking only one nutrient can lead to serious health complications. This should never be forgotten.

[nuweighfitness]

We don't have to starve ourselves just to lose weight, proper diet and exercise is a big help.

[malida]

em taking an average diet plan ,it,s pretty handy, flexible and useful . .. :-D (:

[shane]

Too much Dieting can cause weakness and it can lead to many symptoms , so try to diet as you can handle it properly ...

[jailynstanton]

(08-09-2010 04:12 PM)shane Wrote:  Too much Dieting can cause weakness and it can lead to many symptoms , so try to diet as you can handle it properly ...

Skipping food for the whole day can affect the body. So you have less food in every 3 hours while dieting. It will keep your metabolism normal.

[carolbrookes]

True, Dieting in a proper and healthy way is very necessary otherwise it will have long term negative effects on our bodies.

[Armando]

If you want to keep your good health then you don't need to starve or do lots of diet for losing weight..Because it will cause health problems to you..So the best way is to do regular exercise and follow a proper diet plan..health insurance in minnesota

[Byron]

Hi ritu,
Nice and informative article. Thanks for sharing this with everyone.
Back to the topic yes Extreme Dieting has negative impacts also.
One of the main thing which I guess nobody mentioned before is deficiency in your body.
So follow a proper diet plan. If you want to reduce quick you should start exercise with dieting.

[ibrahem]

we face a lot of problems as extreme diet case when we starts starvation then our skin dry and our health fall at last we hasty fall health.

[jannet]

Yeah you provide such an important aspects of health and the diet problem.
This will really help people thanks for the info...