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Starvation: Not an Alternative to a Healthy
Diet
Many people facing the daunting task of losing weight turn to
the idea of starving themselves as a means of shedding pounds
quickly and easily. Starvation, however, is not an alternative
to a healthy diet, and will not result in the long-term weight
loss you desire. Whether you attempt to starve your body of
much-needed nutrients by simply skipping a few meals a week or
if you turn to extreme starvation by becoming anorexic, you are
doing far more harm to your body in the long run than if you
simply modify your eating and exercise habits to attain your
desired weight in a healthy manner.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a noted osteopathic physician,
limiting protein and micronutrient intake as a part of your diet
regimen, as occurs during starvation, can lead to impairments in
fertility, your immune system and even your stature. As you continue to
rob your body of the nutrients it needs to survive, you will
enter into a state of malnutrition. Once you have entered into
this state, you will find that it will become harder to even
continue to diet as your body opens itself to infection and as
you shed much-needed energy instead of pounds.
A healthy diet depends upon maintaining a metabolic rate that
will give your body the energy it needs to shed fat and become
fit. A starvation diet is defined by consuming less than 800
calories per day. Entering into a starvation diet as a means to
lose weight will slow your metabolic rate to a point where your
body will actually begin to store fat instead of burning it. Like a hibernating animal preparing for winter, your body will
create a fat reserve to live from during the time period where
your caloric intake is the lowest.
As a further means of preparing for low caloric intake, other
body systems will begin to slow down and eventually fail.
Symptoms that will result as bodily functions fail include
dehydration and muscle spasms, which are caused by the
electrolyte imbalance that will occur as your levels of
much-needed nutrients drop. In extreme cases, electrolyte
imbalance may also cause cardiac arrhythmia, which can lead to
cardiac arrest. Patients suffering from anorexia nervosa often
suffer these heart-related complications, the leading cause of
death in anorexics.
When in a state of starvation or malnutrition, imbalances in
your body will also lead to psychological reactions such as
irritability and anger, anxiety and depression. As your spirits
tumble, apathy may set in and may lead to further or more
extreme starvation, or a complete reverse to overeating as
compensation to depression. Starvation will also lead to
exhaustion, which will further reduce your calorie-burning
potential. If you are exhausted, your movements will slow and
you will not have enough energy to exercise regularly. Mentally, exhaustion will cause your natural responses and
reflexes to slow and reasoning skills to become muddled.
Cutting calories is not the same as starving yourself, but diets
that promise extreme weight loss by restricting the intake of
carbohydrates, fats or proteins can also lead to a state of
starvation. Your body needs carbohydrates, fats and
proteins as a part of a well-balanced diet, so beware of any diet that
entirely cuts out any particular substance. Carbohydrates,
especially, are important to your diet as a natural fuel to help
burn unhealthy fat. Proteins are also important, as they help
to prevent muscle tissue from breaking down while enabling body
tissue health.
While it is possible to lose a few pounds quickly through
starvation, the harm you cause to your body may be irreparable
in the future. Weight loss is important to ensuring a healthier
future, but you must always remember to diet wisely by
incorporating the right blend of a smart nutritional plan along
with
exercise.
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