Very Low-Calorie Diet Causes Side Effects for Body

Low-calorie diet is a method of weight loss by reducing the number of calories that enter the body. In addition to being able to reduce weight, low-calorie diets with high intensity also have a negative impact on the body. This is because the food eaten cannot meet the energy and nutrient needs of the body. Therefore, this very low-calorie diet causes various side effects on the body.

The first effect is that can lower the metabolism. Metabolism is the process of processing nutrients from food that have been absorbed by the body to be converted into energy (Putri, 2020). As soon as you realizes that you cannot get enough foods (calories), the body enters self-protection or starvation mode. Therefore, if the body’s metabolism decreases, the body will feel weak and no energy.

The second effect is that can cause fatigue and nutrient deficiencies. Regularly eating less calories than your body requires can cause fatigue and make it more challenging for you to meet your daily nutrient needs. Severe diet restriction leads to many nutrient deficiencies for instance carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. To prevent fatigue and nutritional deficiencies, avoid cutting your calories excessively and make sure you eat a variety of nutritious foods with sufficient calories.

The third effect from very low calorie diets is that may reduce fertility. A diet very low calories can suppress ovulation, which can lead to infertility and menstrual disturbances. Low calorie intake is one reason why menstruation is irregular or does not appear at all (Apriliani, 2021). This is especially true for women, as the ability to ovulate depends on hormone situations.

Another effect is the potential loss of muscle mass. Loss of mass is a result of efforts to lose weight, either from diet or exercise. Muscle mass decreases over time because the muscles do not get enough calories to carry out activities. It means that even if you lose weight quickly, you are very likely to regain weight in the form of fat.

The most important effect is that may lower the immunity. Immunity is the body's immune system against foreign substances that are exposed to our body. Restricting calories can increase catching cold-like viruses (Angraini & Ayu, 2014). Therefore, cutting very low calories when combined with strenuous physical activity, may lower your immune defences.

Very low calorie diet is actually one of the worst diet method. It is not only a weight loss but also for general health. As a result, it may lose weight fast. However, the healthy and psychological well-being may be at long term risk. Hence, very low calorie diets are not recommended and can cause dangerous side effects.

 

References

Angraini, D. I., & Ayu, P. R. (2014). The Relationship Between Nutritional Status and Immunonutririon Intake With Immunity Status, 1.

Apriliani, H. (2021, April 23). Impact Of Calorie Deficit Body Immunity to Impair Fertility. Retrieved from VOI.id: https://voi.id/en/lifestyle/46527/impact-of-calorie-deficit-decreased-body-immunity-to-impair-fertility

Putri, N. H. (2020, September 14). Mengenal Proses Metabolisme Tubuh Hingga Gangguannya. Retrieved from SehatQ: https://www.sehatq.com/artikel/mengenal-proses-metabolisme-tubuh-hingga-gangguannya