Watching your weight can help you avoid all kinds of health problems. But if you become obsessed with weight loss and crash dieting, a whole different set of problems may await you --- including some that can be life-threatening. While the weight loss promised by some drastic diets may be tempting, don't overlook the possible risks.
Crash and Fad Diets
Even a weird-sounding diet may seem alluring when a friend says those three magic words: "I lost weight!" The truth is that you'll lose weight on any regimen that substantially cuts calories, whether those calories come from diet shakes or cookies, steak or cabbage soup. But the Weight-Control Information Network warns that rapid weight loss can rob you of nutrients and lead to problems including gout and gallstones. And consuming fewer than 800 daily calories may cause potentially fatal heart-rhythm irregularities.
Eating Disorders
When dieting develops into an eating disorder, side effects can be dangerous or even fatal. People with anorexia nervosa are so obsessed with being thin that they eat hardly anything and sometimes exercise to excess. Besides starvation and dehydration, complications may include menstrual problems, constipation, dry skin, irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure. People with bulimia face similar risks along with sore and damaged teeth and gums. They binge on food but then purge with vomiting or laxatives. Eating disorders also can lead to heart disease, depression, suicidal thoughts, bone loss, seizures, kidney damage and other serious health problems, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Very Low-Calorie Diets
Extreme diets of 600 to 800 calories daily are sometimes used to kick off weight-loss programs for people who are very obese and facing serious health threats, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But the Weight-Control Information Network cautions that these diets are only for patients under medical supervision. Even then, they may develop the serious complication of gallstones and less serious side effects of fatigue, constipation, nausea or diarrhea.
Recommendations
Drastic diets usually don't work very well for very long. The American Academy of Family Physicians advises you to avoid diets that promise rapid weight loss, involve costly supplements, restrict you to a few foods or promise magical results. No food "burns" or "melts away" fat. Your best bet is to choose a balanced variety of foods while exercising, cutting back on sweet and fatty choices and avoiding extra-large portions. Aim for a slow, steady weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds a week.
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