Weakness With Weight Loss

Weight loss offers many health benefits including reduced strain on your heart, lungs and joints. However for some, losing weight may bring negative effects such as weakness. When body weight is lost, so are nutrients and minerals resulting in depleted strength and energy levels. Contributing factors to weight loss and weakness include the amount of weight lost, the time frame and the type of diet.

Function

When food is eaten, it is digested, broken down and converted into energy. Units of food and energy are measured in calories. Your body requires a certain amount of calories for your body to perform bodily functions, carry out every day tasks and engage in physical activity. When the amount of calories eaten is less than the amount used, the extra calories are drawn from your stored body fat. This is known as a caloric deficit. When the deficit reaches a total of 3,500 calories, 1 lb. of body weight is lost.

Effects

The recommended weight loss amount is 1 lb. per week. When more weight is lost, your body draws upon your lean body tissue, including your muscles for extra energy supplies. This results in decreased muscle mass that leads to loss of muscular strength and endurance. Weakness describes a condition defined as a lack of physical or muscle strength or needing to make an extra effort to perform tasks requiring muscle movement.

Significance

The type of diet may contribute to weakness with weight loss. Diets low in calories and nutrients can result in decreased blood sugar levels, vitamin deficiencies and a loss of minerals resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. Deficiencies in vitamin B, magnesium and potassium can cause weakness. Diets that omit food groups or nutrients can cause nutrient deficiencies and can result in weakness. For example, a high protein, low carbohydrate diet can decrease energy levels because carbohydrates function as an energy source.

Time Frame

A weakened condition lasting between two weeks and three months can be attributed to a lifestyle change such as weight loss. Conditions lasting longer than three months may be a sign of an undiagnosed illness, especially if combined with an unexplained or unintentional weight loss. It is crucial that a physician be consulted. Conditions longer than three months with an intentional weight loss strategy may not be a result of an undiagnosed illness. However, nutritional deficiencies may lead to illness, therefore it is strongly suggested that a physician be consulted.

Warning

There are many products on the market that claim to be a safe and effective weight loss diet or diet supplement. Products or diets that result in quick weight loss of more than 2 lbs. weekly should be avoided. Such products can be on the market before the FDA can take action to remove them.