Very Low Calorie Diet: Are There Benefits or Dangers?

There are many things to consider when thinking about embarking on a very low calorie diet. The fact is that we can lose weight initially by reducing our calorie intake, but can this be detrimental to our health and well-being?

One major factor is that severely restricting our calorie consumption will result in not only losing fat, but also reducing muscle mass. We could also be also in danger of becoming malnourished and deficient in many important vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamins C, D and B for example, which are all vital to maintain good health.

Nutrient deficiencies can lead to many serious health problems, including heart-related problems such as irregular heart beat, palpitations and even cardiac arrest. We could also be in danger of suffering muscle cramps, menstrual problems, hair loss or skin problems. We may also lose bone density and suffer tooth decay as well as feeling exhausted and generally in poor health.

Even if we disregard all the detrimental possibilities, we should also be aware that following an extreme low-calorie diet can have a major effect on our metabolism. After the initial substantial weight loss, gradually it will diminish, as our body will switch to preservation mode in a desperate attempt to survive our self-imposed starvation. If we persist with such an extremely low-calorie diet over a long period of time and then return to our normal diet, we may find that our weight increases rapidly, even if we are not eating excessively.

This is the way our body reacts to ensure that vital vitamins and minerals are regained and body fat stored again in order to survive.

As an alternative to a very low-calorie diet, we should try to reduce our calorie intake to a more sensible, safer level, as well as increasing our exercise routine to help burn up more calories. Rather than starvation, this option actually helps to boost our metabolism so that our weight loss is steady and consistent.

A very low-calorie diet may sound appealing if we desperately want to quickly lose a few unwanted pounds, but it is much better and healthier to follow a sensible, nutritious option.

New Articles ways to lose weight fast