Because they want to enjoy the results immediately, many people run various super-strict diet programs, ranging from not consuming carbohydrates and fats to using a one-time diet per day. The other focuses on consuming low-calorie snacks or dietary supplements.

At first glance, the diet program can give maximum results. However, strict diets can be contradictory. Instead of losing weight quickly, a strict diet will make it easy to gain weight and risk causing health problems.

In order not to be tempted by instant results, here are some of the dangers of a strict diet that we must know:

Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a condition when the body loses muscle mass and strength. Under normal conditions, this is common due to aging. However, research published in the journal Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism suggests extreme diets can speed up the process of sarcopenia.

As we know, the body needs carbohydrates as a source of energy. If it is not available, the body will use fat instead. However, in some cases, what happens is that the body actually 'eats' the muscles; This is a dangerous condition.

Decrease in Body Metabolism

When we do not get the required calorie intake, our metabolism will automatically decrease. This condition will make the body feel weak, have difficulty concentrating, and bad mood. Not only that, muscle mass will decrease, and the body will store more fat reserves.

As a result, a super strict diet will not make us skinny. On the other hand, the danger of a strict diet will make it more difficult for us to lose weight. Another danger of a strict diet, this condition will make our immune system go down.

Overeating

Those who apply extreme calorie restriction will generally feel very hungry, especially at lunchtime or late afternoon. We will not last long in these conditions.

When it is time to eat, the body will ask for more calories; this puts us at risk of losing appetite control. The bad thing is, at that time, the body's metabolism was not ready to digest food, so a lot of the remaining calories eventually turned back into fat deposits.

Often Feel Hungry

When the body gets the nutrients it needs, especially fiber and protein, the stomach will feel full longer to avoid the habit of overeating. Not only that, the body's metabolic system will run more optimally.

The opposite condition that we will feel when running a super strict diet. The stomach will feel very hungry, and the body will feel frail. This condition will provoke us to consume foods high in sugar, fat, and other unhealthy foods.

Nutrient Deficiency Body

Nutrient Deficiency may be one of the many harmful effects of a strict diet. Limiting food consumption to the extreme will make our body nutritionally deficient, mainly if we have only relied on diet pills or other dietary supplements.

Instead of helping, this harms the body. Internal organs such as stomach acid, kidneys, and liver will be exposed to the sap in the long term. In turn, the decline in the function of these core organs will make the performance of other vital organs decrease, including the heart.

Therefore, please make sure we follow a healthy diet according to the advice of a doctor or trusted dietitian. Keep drugs, exercise more, and eat healthy foods.

Reference:

Healthline. Accessed 2021. Is Eating One Meal a Day a Safe and Effective Way to Lose Weight?

WebMD. Accessed in 2021. Is Eating One Meal a Day Safe?