Trying to lose weight quickly? This is how it can backfire

If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s fine! But if you’re trying to lose weight too fast, it can backfire. People may get attracted by and fascinated towards rapid weight loss. But doing so can result in many health issues. In fact, the results you get from rapid weight loss do not even last long. And that’s why experts recommend a slow weight loss which is a maximum of 500 gm to 1 kg per week.

To discuss this, HealthShots got in touch with Dr Namita Nadar, HOD Clinical Nutrition, Fortis Hospital, Noida. She said, “Losing weight quickly through starvation techniques may result in harmful effects. People who lose weight quickly will not be able to sustain successfully.”

Are there any side effects of losing weight too fast?

When someone tries to lose weight too fast, these are some side effects that the person may observe:

1. Nutritional deficiencies

If you follow fad diets for rapid weight loss, it may result in nutritional deficiency in your body, as certain groups may be completely excluded from the diet to follow such a diet. For example, milk and dairy products especially if you won’t substitute them with other calcium sources, says Dr Nadar.

2. Hair loss

When you try to lose weight fast, you put a lot of restrictions on your diet. This can lead to a lack of vitamins and minerals in your body and the proper nutrients are essential if you want to keep your hair healthy, strong and shiny. So, if you are experiencing hair loss it means that you are limiting too many nutrients in the diet to achieve your weight loss goal.

3. Muscle loss

A calorie-restricted diet may result in decreased muscle mass rather than decreased fat loss. Your body starts eating your muscles first rather than fat to maintain the energy supply. Dr Nadar, says this is because muscle is more metabolically active than fat. So, a loss of muscle means you will burn less calories a day and this will reduce the speed of your weight loss. Along with it, losing weight too fast may also result in muscle cramping.

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4. Slow metabolism

When you try to lose weight faster, this may result in slow metabolism. It happens because you consume very few calories a day to lose weight faster and this can result in hormonal changes. Due to these two reasons, you may experience a slow metabolism rate which ultimately means slow weight loss.

Also, read: How much weight loss in a month is healthy? An expert answers

5. Dehydration

Even if you are trying to lose weight, you should not allow yourself to become dehydrated. So if you’re dehydrated, faster weight could be the culprit. Wonder why? Well, it can happen if you cut back on fluids to lose weight. Also, Dr Nadar says, cutting too many carbohydrates may result in dehydration and that can even lead to dry skin dullness and low.

Other side effects of faster weight loss are:

* Decreased energy
* Brittle hair and nails
* Extreme fatigue
* Compromised immune system
* Weakened bones and osteoporosis
* Headache
* Irritability
* Constipation

Remember ladies, success is a fruit of slow growth!