A pound of fat equals 3,500 calories. Weight loss results from reducing calories, increasing the number of calories burned or some combination thereof. When it comes to restricting calories, too much of a good thing results in risks to your health. Harvard Health Publications warns against restricting calories to fewer than 1,200 for women and 1,500 for men, except under the supervision of a trained health professional. Dieting sensibly produces slower results but better long-term outcomes.
Gallstone Formation
According to the Weight-Control Information Network, very low calorie diets increase the risk of gallstone formation. Gallstone formation resulting from rapid weight-loss occurs more often in women than men. Your health care provider might prescribe medication to reduce your risk of gallstones, if your situation calls for severe caloric restriction.
Yo-Yo Weight Gain
Many people find they gain back the weight lost during severe caloric restriction, and some gain additional pounds. The information website, Epigee, explains that the yo-yo effect results from your body going into starvation mode and slowing your metabolism. When you resume normal eating patterns, your slower metabolic rate burns fewer calories and you rapidly gain back the weight you lost. Fluctuating numbers on the scale confuses and strains your body.
Mental Health Strain
Epigee warns that restricted dieting can lead to depression and irritability. Crash dieting sometimes leads to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Nutritional Deficiency
Low calorie diets focus on only a few foods, leaving out important vitamins and nutrients. According to the American Heart Association, severe calorie restriction increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
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