| ||
| ||
|
|
|
| ||
| |
|
Holistic weight reduction - Part16 - Diets that do not work or are unsafe
Most diets are not successful in creating a sustained weight loss, because they are based on partially or completely false assumptions. Unfortunately, hundreds of books are written every year trying to convince those who are gullible and who have failed in their earlier efforts of weight reduction that there is yet another easy solution for their problems. Nothing could be further from the truth! A very common false assumption is that the amount of energy intake necessary to maintain body weight is a function of the current weight of the individual. This inaccurate approach is found even in some of the books published by ‘ self-proclaimed experts’ in weight reduction The truth on the other hand is that overweight individuals require less energy intake per pound of body weight, because their energy expenditure per pound of body weight is less than that of their friends who are closer to ideal weight. Due to the insulating effect of adipose tissue, obese individuals also expend less energy through heat loss. Further, in general overweight individuals are less active than those who are closer to their ideal weight and hence their energy expenditure for physical activities is also lower. Since energy intake must not exceed energy output to maintain body weight, it follows that often the same caloric intake will induce weight gain in an obese person while it will be just enough to maintain the weight of the less obese individual (see Chapter 2). Obese individuals often used this observation by to blame their stars for their unlucky plight! The claim that one can lose more than two pounds of fat weight per week while continuing to eat at least the safe minimum of 1200 Calories (see chapter 6) is based on the false assumption that all reductions in body weight are necessarily due to a reduction in the adipose tissue weight, which is the proper target for a program. It is easy to achieve a weight reduction of two pounds or more in the fluid compartment of the body after the ingestion of beer in more than moderate quantities, after a period of heavy exercise that induces heavy sweating or by the use of drugs that can eliminate fluid from the body. Similarly, reduction in the use of salt or elimination of other substances such as estrogens and steroids that can cause fluid retention can also cause marked reduction in the volume of the fluid compartment of the body resulting in transient dramatic weight losses. Such marked reductions cannot be continued for weeks nor are they safe since they cause depletion of essential salts and fluid from the body. Further, such methods do not cause any reduction in the fat weight of the body. Symptoms of fatigue, complaints of dizziness and even sudden collapse may occur from excessive loss of fluid and salt. Many other diets are unsafe because they use hormones or drugs, which can cause major health problems. Such diets use drugs, which are known to increase the metabolic demands of the body. A number of them include thyroid hormones in many disguised forms as well as chemicals such as ephedrine or its derivatives. Other diets contain derivatives of amphetamines, which suppress appetite. These chemicals increase the rate at which energy is used by the body without the need for an associated increase in physical activities. They also induce a sense of increased ‘energy’. Diets containing these drugs may indeed ‘burn fat’ as they claim and cause fat weight loss of more than 2 pounds per week, but such diets increase the risk of irregularities of heart rhythm and may cause degeneration of the muscle fibers of the heart. Sudden death has been reported in those who have used these drugs. Some other diets contain caffeine and its derivatives that cause similar, but less intense effect on the adipose tissue, but may also be dangerous to the health of the individuals who use them because these drugs can cause similar effects on heart rhythm and lead to dependence. Prolonged starvation has been recommended for fat weight reduction or as an initial phase of certain diets. There is no doubt that the former is very effective in reducing adipose tissue mass as has been demonstrated during wars and famine in different parts of the world, but its safety is very doubtful. Sudden death, loss of hormonal function and deterioration of mental health have been repeatedly reported in many instances among those who have adopted such approaches. Where 2-3 days’ starvation except for water or fruit juices has been recommended as an initial phase, one still needs to be extremely careful about ill effects caused by such diets even within that short period especially if diabetes, heart disease or hormone imbalances are known to exist or are present in their hidden forms. Surgical interventions in the form of gastric stapling or small bowel bypasses have correctly claimed success in causing marked reductions in adipose tissue weight in short periods of time, but they have been associated with serious medical complications, which may turn out to be worse that the ill-effects of anything but the most morbid obesity. There are a whole series of diets in which one has to buy specified foods from a company with associated claims of success propagated through seductive ’before and after’ pictures. In most of these diets, apart from medical problems that may arise as indicated above, another drawback is that ‘slimming’ seems to affect the wallet much faster than the body of the person who is seeking a quick fix! About the Author : Abe Kurien MD, is a proponent of holistic medicine. He writes profusely on subjects of Weight reduction. His enlightening articles can be found on the smatix weight reduction section : Nutrition and Health Guide
MORE RESOURCES: MONAVIE
MEGA RED 100% PURE OMEGA-3 KRILL OIL 300 MG 117 SOFTGELS L@@K SHIPS FREE
Purity Products Co-Q-Omega: CoQ10 and Omega 3 Fish Oil Formula
Monavie Active - 1 Case (4 Bottles) Acia Mona Vie
Sonya Dakar - Omega 3 Repair Complex - Maintenance 1.75 oz. Salon Size - Sealed
MONAVIE ACTIVE CASE 4 BOTTLES SEALED IN BOX BEST BY 6/12
Monavie RVL Weight Solution
(5) Ultimate CHIAlife Omega-3 EFAs 100% Premium Chia Seeds - 1 Lb each
2 NEW Schiff MegaRed Extra Strength 100% Pure Omega-3 Krill Oil, 500mg 45 Day
Nutrilite Heart Health Omega-3 Supplement (3 Bottles)
4 PK NEW HERBALIFE HERBALIFELINE W/ OMEGA 3 FATTY ACID
MONAVIE 4 Pulse bottles - sealed
MonaVie Active 1 Case (4 Bottles) Fast Shipping
MONAVIE RVL bundle - 1 month supply! Sealed in original box
Monavie - Active Premier Acai Blend Juice - 3 Bottles - Unopened - Original Box
2 Lbs. Cadet 100% Salmon Snacks 300 Pieces Dog Treats Grain-Free Omega 3 & 6
12 Bottles of Fish Oil 1000 MG ~ Sundown Naturals ~ New ~ 864 Softgels ~ Omega-3
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
|
| home | site map | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
| © 2006 |
