Biotech Values

[Mufaso]

Fastest weight loss is not always the best.

Biowatch- 100% agree with the article you highlighted. Very interesting.

Thought it was worthwhile to quote the "5 alarming dangers" of extreme weight loss in the title. (Numbers 2 and 4 were surprising to me)

1. Loss of muscle mass
When you lose weight, it’s not just fat that you lose but muscle as well. A loss in muscle mass often comes with decreasing metabolism rate, which further destabilises the fat-to-muscle ratio. Weaker muscles translate to more inconvenience in day-to-day activities like carrying heavy groceries or climbing the stairs. Even if the number on the weighing scale ends up looking nicer, your quality of life may not be as rosy.

2. Imbalance of electrolytes
Many of our bodily functions are regulated by naturally occurring elements. Any imbalance to the proportion of these elements could be potentially dangerous and may cause conditions such as seizures and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats). Electrolytes in particular are critical to cellular function and integrity. If the latter were to break down, it wouldn't be long before the rest of the body follows suit.

3. Nutritional deficiencies
Extreme weight-loss deprives your body of the essential nutrients that are necessary for healthy function. Furthermore, deficiencies in certain nutrients like vitamin D and calcium can lead to an increased risk of developing certain health conditions or predispose you to injury. One such example of a disease associated with nutritional deficiency is anaemia, which is characterised by feelings of weakness and fainting spells and can occur when you your intake of iron is insufficient.

4. Gallstones
When gallstones form, severe pain is experienced along with indigestion. They are formed when digestive juices in the gallbladder aren’t released because of a lack of food to digest. These juices then harden inside the gallbladder and can block the opening, causing indigestion which leads to further pain and discomfort.

5. Drastic drop in energy levels
Consuming insufficient calories or expending too many of them will definitely lead to adverse effects on your energy levels. Apart from feeling physically tired, your cognitive functions may take a hit as well as your productivity. Your mood can also be affected – drastic weight-loss is often accompanied with constant feelings of irritation.