Rapid Weight Loss: Risks of Fasting To Lose Weight

Given the risks associated with excessive weight gain, it is not surprising that most people around the world are trying to lose weight. This, in addition to the fact that media campaigns have succeeded in making being thin the "in-thing", has made people to scramble for almost any fat loss diet that is rumored to work. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to get in shape through the use of weight loss diets and fat loss workouts. In fact, studies show that there are many benefits that come with losing weight, some of which include better sex, longer life and great self-esteem among other things. However, in trying to lose weight faster, some people usually opt for methods which are not only ineffective but which sometimes put their lives in danger.

People who use fasting as a fat loss technique usually believe that since food is to blame for excessive weight gain, then avoiding food is the best shortcut to a leaner and fitter body. While this weight loss theory might seem to make sense, it is totally wrong since it overlooks a fundamental principle. This principle is that the body needs food to properly function. This therefore means that totally depriving the body of food through fasting is a sure way of negatively affecting the proper functioning of your body.

Most weight loss nutritionists usually advocate for people who want to lose weight to limit their intake of foods that contain a lot of sugars. This does not however mean that the body does not need carbohydrates. This is so because foods rich in carbohydrates are a major source of energy for the body and thus are necessary. Totally depriving one's body of carbohydrates is bound to lead to health complications. A person who takes fasting to an extremity is thus bound to experience fatigue, dizziness, nausea and may even run the risk of settling into a coma.

Fasting to achieve rapid weight loss is risky and thus a method that should be avoided due to the fact that it can result in an altered metabolic rate as one's body tries to adapt to the consistent deprivation of food. This altered metabolic state may thus result in excessive weight gain when the person returns to his or her normal diet. It is thus a method of weight loss that is not sustainable and which may have a negative impact on your attempts to lose weight.

Fasting for weight loss may also result in one being malnourished. This is so because food is a source of essential vitamins and other nutrients that the body needs to properly function. The lack of antioxidants and other essential nutrients that help to maintain the body's immune system may lead to one's body being susceptible to diseases and infections.