Rapid Weight Loss: What Is It?
Rapid Weight
Loss - So many marketers promise "fast weight loss" it's difficult to
sort through them all.
Most rapid
weight loss pitches fall into these categories:
Starvation
Diets
Beyonce
popularized the so-called "master cleanse" diet: water, lemon juice,
maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. Variations of these diets have been around
since at least the 1950s. They often also promise "detoxification"
through colonics or enemas.
Diet Pills
and Supplements
Dozens of
diet supplements promise to speed weight loss. Generally, they claim either to
block absorption of nutrients, increase metabolism, or burn fat.
Very
Low-Calorie Diets (VLCDs)
One proven
method of rapid weight loss is the medically supervised very low-calorie diet
(VLCD). Most of what is known about rapid weight loss comes from studies of
people on these diets.
Creams,
Devices, and Magic Voodoo Spells
There seems
to be no end to the dubious ideas promoted in the name of rapid weight loss.
Most promise to replace diet or exercise.
Does Rapid
Weight Loss Work?
The FDA does
not regulate over-the-counter weight loss products. Marketers make their claims
freely, usually with no research or proof that their products work.
Aside from
the very low-calorie diet, no other product, pill, or diet has been proven to
work for fast weight loss. The FDA-approved medicine Xenical can help, but it
works slowly and only with diet and exercise.
The FDA has
announced that it is reviewing adverse event reports of liver injury in
patients taking Xenical and the over-the-counter drug Alli.
In any rapid
weight loss program, what really burns fat is not a pill or type of food. It's
the drastic reduction of calories, combined with exercise.
What Are the
Risks of Rapid Weight Loss?
Rapid weight
loss creates physical demands on the body. Possible serious risks include:
- Gallstones, which occur in 12% to 25% of people losing large amounts of weight over several months.
- Dehydration, which can be avoided by drinking plenty of fluids.
- Malnutrition, usually from not eating enough protein for weeks at a time.
- Electrolyte imbalances, which rarely can be life threatening.
Other side
effects of rapid weight loss include:
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Menstrual irregularities
- Hair loss
- Muscle loss
The dangers
of rapid weight loss increase with the time spent on the diet. Eating a
no-protein diet is particularly risky.
Is Rapid
Weight Loss Ever a Good Idea?
Rapid weight
loss diets can have ill effects, but so does obesity. For this reason, very
low-calorie diets (VLCDs) are considered a reasonable weight loss option for
people with obesity (having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30) needing
rapid weight loss for a specific purpose such as weight loss surgery .
VLCDs are
doctor-supervised diets lasting several weeks. The meals are nutritionally
balanced, but expensive -- people can end up spending thousands of dollars over
time. VLCDs safely produce a loss of 15% to 25% of body weight in 12 weeks.
That's for those who finish the program: 25% to half of people don't complete
the program. Weight returns when the
diet is stopped and happens rapidly; some experts say its best to take a more
sustainable approach to weight loss comparable to that of regular diets.
Most people
seeking rapid weight loss, though, usually do it on their own. Frequently, it's
to achieve a short-term goal, such as fitting into a dress, or looking good at
the beach.
Starving
yourself is certainly not a good idea. But if you're otherwise healthy, a brief
period of extreme calorie restriction isn't likely to hurt you. You should tell
your doctor what you're doing, and be sure to include protein in your diet (70
to 100 grams per day). Take a multivitamin, and eat potassium-rich foods
(tomatoes, oranges, and bananas).
Also, remember
that crash diets rarely help you achieve a sustained, healthy weight. Most
people put the pounds right back on.
Latest Post :
