Dangers of Rapid Weight Loss

Nowadays, people are searching for rapid weight loss programs and diets rather than permanent and healthy ways to lose their weight and reduce the fat. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people get involved in rapid weight loss. Although, it is possible to lose weight in a short period of time, but you should know that there are dangers associated with rapid weight loss.

Rapid weight loss, or weight cutting, is the act of losing weight at an abnormal and alarming rate in a short period of time, often anywhere from one to two weeks. Many people wish to lose weight before an important event, like an upcoming vacation or a wedding. But some suffer nothing more than disappointment. Others suffer lingering health problems even when rapid weight loss is achieved.

Unfortunately quick and easy isn't always the best way to go. You can do some pretty serious damage to your health. Here are a few problems associated with quick weight loss:

• Reduced metabolic rate: Nature has a way of protecting the body against excessive weight loss. If your calorie count suddenly drops, your body will compensate for the fact by reducing your metabolic rate. This is also why people on crash diets immediately regain weight once they stop dieting.

• Muscle loss: With the fat deposits you will also lose a good part of your muscle mass. Body goes into ketosis (burning muscle for energy), which reduces hunger, but is neither safe nor healthy. So you end up not losing fat but actually harming your body. It is important to consume adequate amounts of protein and carbohydrates to prevent such loss.

• Malnutrition/Dehydration: Dehydration occurs when the body releases extreme amounts of water. Malnutrition happens when someone doesn't eat the recommended nutritional amounts. Both dehydration and malnutrition are serious risks and should be avoided in any diet program.

• Skin Problems: Studies show that when you lose weight rapidly, your skin does not get enough time to shrink down to the size of your newly trim body. This results in stretch marks. Also, you may experience loose skin as your weight goes into free fall.

• Hair Problems: Malnutrition leads to lack of vitamins and nutrients which weakens the hair follicles and causes brittle hair. And, if you continue to take a vitamin deficient diet, the weakened hair follicles will eventually fall out making you suffer from hair loss.

• Insomnia: It's difficult to get a good night's rest when you feel your empty stomach calling for food.

• Diarrhea: Attempting to lose weight too fast can lead to severe diarrhea, sometimes followed by constipation. Extended exposure over a period of time can lead to dehydration, which can even become life-threatening.

• Eating disorder: Eating disorders can cause a wide range of health problems, such as malnutrition, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, anemia, hypertension, hormonal imbalances, infertility, insomnia, osteoporosis, arthritis, fatigue, and internal organ failure.

• Heart Disease: Losing and regaining weight rapidly stresses the heart and the body. People who do "yo-yo diet" are at great risk of developing heart disease.

To avoid the serious health consequences related to rapid weight loss, experts suggest the use of healthy weight loss measures. Weight loss should be approached with caution.