Rapid Weight Loss
There’s no denying that the idea of losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time is appealing. Americans spend as much as $33 billion a year on weight loss products in an effort to drop unwanted pounds, and we all want to see results as quickly as possible. But are the advertisements that promise you can “lose weight fast!” telling the truth? And is that kind of weight loss, if it is possible, good for your body?
Can you lose weight quickly?
Most rapid weight loss plans fall into one of three categories: starvation diets, diet pills and supplements, or very low-calorie diets (VLCDs). Starvation diets and VLCDs claim to work by drastically reducing the amount of calories you take in. If you consume fewer calories than you burn, you’ll likely lose weight. Pills and supplements, on the other hand, do little to reduce your calories and instead typically claim to block absorption, boost metabolism, or burn fat. Changing your body’s natural metabolism is very difficult to do, and most pills that make these claims do so without any government regulation requiring scientific proof to support their claims. There are two FDA-approved medications, Xenical and Meridia, that have been proven to affect absorption, but even these pills are designed to work slowly and in combination with diet and exercise.
The bottom line is that drastically reducing how many calories you eat or taking a prescription medication that blocks absorption can, in fact, help you lose weight—sometimes very quickly. However, it’s usually a short-term weight loss that is difficult to sustain over time.
What are the risks of rapid weight loss?
Losing weight too quickly increases the physical demands on your body, and that can cause health problems. Some of the risks associated with losing weight too quickly include:
- Gallstones
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Electrolyte imbalances (which can be life threatening in rare cases)
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Menstrual irregularities
- Hair loss
- Muscle loss
In most cases, rapid weight loss programs may help you achieve a short-term weight loss goal, but will not provide a long-term solution to your weight loss struggles. However, if you’re severely obese, your doctor may recommend a physician-guided, very low-calorie diet for several weeks in order to prevent other health problems associated with obesity. For most people, a healthier and more sustainable plan involves losing 1 to 2 pounds per week through diet and exercise until you reach your ideal weight.