Many people struggle to shed extra pounds, especially as they get older. But losing and gaining those same pounds over and over may be harmful to your heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 33.8 percent of all American adults are obese, and the numbers increase each year. Less than a third of American adults are at a healthy weight, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Ugly Cycle
Although not all experts agree, some studies indicate that yo-yo dieting is linked to hypertension, high cholesterol and gall bladder disease. Women could be at even greater risk, based on a study by University of Michigan Health System. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and yo-yo dieting with more than five cycles of gaining and losing weight may increase the risk of heart disease soon after menopause. Positron emission tomography (PET) heart scans conducted for the study found that cycles involving weight variation of 10 pounds or more caused the most problems with blood flow.
Blood Vessel Effects
Yo-yo dieting damages the endothelial cells lining of the blood vessel walls. Once the blood vessel walls are damaged, blood flow is restricted, which paves the way for strokes and heart attacks, especially in women. In normal-weight people whose body mass index varies over two years, their risk of heart disease is similar to that of overweight people. A change in BMI is one unit, which is about 5 lbs.
Crash Diets and Your Heart
Crash diets based on very low calories -- less than 1,200 calories a day -- and detox fads such as the Master Cleanse are also bad for your heart. The Master Cleanse and similar detox plans involve a diet of water mixed with cayenne pepper, lemon juice and other ingredients for several days. Losing weight too fast can slow your metabolism and actually cause you to gain weight. These diets can cause dehydration, cardiac stress and heart palpitations, and weaken your immune system. Your body also doesn't get enough essential nutrients. The yo-yo diet cycle causes your heart to lose muscle, causing micro tears. This increases the risk of atherosclerosis and other types of heart disease, according to the University of Michigan Health System study and a more recent study led by Dr Molly Waring of University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worchester.
Healthy Weight Loss
If you need to lose weight, consult your physician to determine a suitable diet plan for you that takes your health needs into consideration. Eating reasonable portions of healthy foods and moderate exercise can help you lose weight slowly and keep it off. You may want to consult a dietitian for ideas on meal planning.
References
- CNN: How Crash Diets Harm Your Health
- CDC: U.S. Obesity Trends
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Overweight and Obesity Statistics
- Life Clinic: Yo-Yo Dieting Tugs on Your Heart's Strings
- The Heart.org: Weight Fluctuations Among Normal-Weight Individuals Increases CVD Risk
