The idea of quick weight-loss can be very appealing. Deep down, the majority of us aren’t too thrilled with the sound of making long-term lifestyle changes to watch progress happen. Instead, it’s easier to think about cutting corners and doing whatever we can to see rapid results in a short period of time. But rapid weight-loss, commonly referred to as “crash” dieting, poses serious health risks. Those risks should always be considered alongside any potential “rewards.”

Crash Diets: The Consequences

If you are planning to start a new diet, make sure that it is not a “crash” diet that could negatively impact your health. Rapid weight-loss, such as that experienced on “crash” diets, can be accompanied by numerous consequences such as:

Gallstones:

Gallstones form when substances in bile crystallize and the crystals grow together. They can later increase in size to cause pain and illness. Up to 25 percent of individuals who use diets very low in calories (800 calories per day or less) develop gallstones.

Loss of Lean Body Mass:

When someone loses a lot of weight in a short period of time, some part of that weight is always likely to be lean body mass (muscle and bone) rather than fat. Overall loss of lean body mass is associated with poor health, especially as we age.

Poor Nutrition:

When you dramatically reduce the amount you eat, it can be very hard to meet your nutritional requirements. Some diets may also restrict certain foods, making it a challenge to get the complete nutritional value your body needs.

The Rebound Effect:

When you lose weight, one of the hardest things to do is keep it off. Many will find that they regain the lost weight faster than they lost it to begin with. This is typical of drastic crash diets.

Here’s an important rule of thumb to keep in mind: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Crash dieting may seem like an easy and quick way to reach your weight-loss goals, but to a limited extent. They’re usually not sustainable in the long-term, and they create serious health risks that you shouldn’t take lightly.

Want to learn more about “crash” dieting? CLICK HERE to read “The Risks of The Crash Diet,” an article written by naturopathic doctor and medical nutrition expert Jacqueline Jacques, ND, FTOS, and published in Your Weight Matters Magazine.