Obesity is an ever-growing epidemic in the United States, affecting more than two-thirds of adults, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Often, the idea of rapidly shedding unwanted or unhealthy pounds seems like the best solution. However, guidelines recommend people lose no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week to avoid the potentially dangerous health risks associated with rapid weight loss.
Muscle Metabolism
One pound of fat contains 3,500 calories. In order to lose 1 pound a week, a person needs to create a deficit of 500 calories each day from current levels through diet and exercise. Rapid weight loss does not mean rapid fat loss. The body burns calories in a very specific manner depending on the type of food ingested. Often, when calories are severely restricted the body will go into starvation mode and begin to use muscle as its main energy source because muscle breaks down for energy faster than fat stores. Often the initial large weight drop that people see during rapid weight loss is the body releasing water weight and lean muscle tissue, according to MayoClinic.com.
Gallstones
Rapid weight loss can often trigger gallstones. Gallstones are small stones that develop within the gallbladder, the pear-shaped sac located beneath the liver in the right upper abdominal area. Gallstones can cause steady abdominal pain, pain under the right shoulder and pain between the shoulder blades. Gallstones occur when liquid bile within the gallbladder hardens into pebbles. Bile contains cholesterol, fats, bile salts, water, proteins and bilirubin. When the liquid contains too much cholesterol, bile salts or bilirubin, gallstones can occur. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that when the body metabolizes fat during rapid weight loss, the liver excretes excess cholesterol into bile, causing gallstones.
Menstrual Irregularities
Rapid weight loss can lead to menstrual irregularities. Low body fat or malnutrition can cause hormonal irregularities. Because the hormones estrogen and progesterone control the menstrual cycle, these hormonal irregularities can cause periods to become irregular or cease altogether.
Electrolyte Imbalances
Rapid weight loss and severe calorie restrictions can often throw off electrolytes within the body such as potassium and sodium. These electrolytes play a large role in how nerves and cells function and process electrical impulses. "The New York Times" explains that when electrolytes are unbalanced, people may experience fatigue, confusion, dizziness and, in extreme cases, coma and death.
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