ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
19.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


The Danger of Low Calorie Diets: How To Avoid The Yo-Yo Diet Trap

Author: Shola Osho Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 26-09-2005 | Comments: 0 | Views: 441 | Rating:  (53) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.

Low Calorie Diets have risen in popularity in the past 20 years because of the rise in obesity in the USA. Obesity affects more than 30 percent of U.S. adults, and is fuelling an industry dedicated to low-calorie foods and drinks, diet and slimming aids. that's over 60 million people, are obese.

A low calorie diet is one that restricts the amount of calories you eat in any given day to 1500 or less. Low calorie diets are not to be mistaken with Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs) which are commercially prepared formulas, such as meal replacement shakes and soups of about 800 calories that replace the entire usual food intake for several weeks or months.

Studies have shown that low calorie diets can produce weight loss in obese patients of about 3 to 5 pounds per week, for an average total weight loss of 44 pounds over 12 weeks. Such a weight loss can rapidly improve obesity-related medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

However, low calorie diets carry many health risks, and like most diets, have a 95% failure rate. When you go on a low calorie diet, you're most likely to suffer from the "starvation response". This is when your body realises that it's not getting enough energy, and starts to preserve its supply of fat by burning fewer calories. In addition, when you reduce the amount of calories you eat, your brain receives signals to eat more, your appetite is stimulated and you have feelings of hunger and deprivation.

While low calorie diets can result in weight loss in the first few weeks and months of starting the diet, the majority of the weight lost is not fat. This is because low calorie diets do not provide sufficient energy to fuel the body's basic functions such as breathing, circulation, and digestion etc. In order to provide the fuel to keep itself alive, the body breaks down muscle tissue, which is easily convertible into glucose, and is easier to access and break down into energy than fat.

In effect, low calorie diets reduce the amount of lean muscle tissue in the body, which has a knock-on effect of reducing the basal metabolic rate. Lean muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning that the more lean muscle tissue an individual has, the more calories are burned. The reduction in lean muscle tissue also reduces the body's ability to burn fat.

When you finally lose the weight and start eating normally, your body can no longer burn calories at the rate it did before your diet because you now have less lean muscle tissue! You become locked in a vicious cycle of dieting and weight gain - simply because your body breaks down muscle for glucose before it breaks down fat. Although you might only end up gaining back the original weight you lost, you are will end up fatter because you have lost lean muscle tissue and gained back fat.

The result of the loss of lean muscle tisssue and the weight gain arising from it is termed the Yo-Yo effect. Many dieters, when finding that they have regained the weight they have lost, embark on another diet, which plunges them further into lean muscle tissue loss.

So, what is the solution to permanent weight loss? To lose weight effectively, you need to consume enough energy to burn fat, and eat the right foods to maintain your level of lean muscle tissue. A sensible balance of a healthy diet and moderate exercise is more effective in achieving a permanent weight loss than low-calorie diets

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/the-danger-of-low-calorie-diets-how-to-avoid-the-yoyo-diet-trap-3405.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Shola Osho, author of Diet Cheats - How To Unleash The Combustive Power Hidden In Your Metabolism And Reject Stubborn Body Fat has helped hundreds of people to lose weight and keep it off permanently.

For more information, visit http://www.dietcheats.com for information about the book.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Mediterranean Diet For Weight Loss
By: Olga Graham | 21/07/2006 | Weight Loss
Recent research confirms the Mediterranean diet being a safe and healthy way to eat, that is also an effective method of weight loss and weight maintenance. The facts about this healthy eating diet is that it's low in calories, low in harmful saturated fats and is ideal for people on a low calorie and vegetarian diet too. Weight loss doesn't have to be about drugs or diet pills, which can wreak havoc with both your metabolism and immune system.

Nobody Wants to Do it - But Most of at Least Think About It!
By: Kathy Steinemann | 06/08/2007 | Weight Loss
You've heard the adage, 'Work is a 4-letter word!' There is another foul 4-letter word - nastier than the worst of the worst. It may shock you, but women are even guiltier of using this word than men. In fact, females are notorious repeat offenders.

Cabbage and What it Can Do for you
By: Anna Stone | 29/10/2007 | Nutrition
Cabbage is possibly one of the most underestimated vegetables in the world. Find out what it can do and how it can assist your health, weight-loss efforts, and well-being.

Low Calorie Diets (vlcd)
By: Bryan Picchiottino | 08/04/2008 | Health
Are very low calorie diets the right way to go?

The Gym - friend or foe?
By: Lea Woodward | 13/09/2005 | Fitness
We have never been as unfit or unhealthy as we are today. W hilst gyms have done a huge amount to encourage people to get fitter and are now more accessible than ever, I.

You dont need to starve to lose weight. Its about balance.
By: Mick | 21/09/2005 | Weight Loss
On your body and mind. You are putting less calories into your body and then making your body work harder to use those less calories. Entering into a diet and exercise.

Are Supplements Necessary for Rapid and Maximum Weight Loss?
By: David Albert | 20/06/2008 | Weight Loss
For a successful weight loss program, a healthy dieting and regular exercise is must. Is healthy dieting and regular exercise enough for a successful weight loss program. The answer is yes but the process will be slow.

Learn How To Boost Your Weight Loss Program and Calorie Burning to Get Rid of Obesity
By: Anna Overweight No More | 21/09/2005 | Weight Loss
Loss diets are not the only solution to lose weight, neither exercise alone. An effective weight loss program includes the combination of a postive attitude, a balanced.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a certified, licensed massage therapist ...
By: matt | 07-07-2008
I am a certified, licensed massage therapist interested in becoming a personal trainer. What is the most inexpensive way for me to obtain a legitimate CPT certificate?

Epididymitis concerns
By: Beachbum42 | 07-07-2008
What are the acute risks or complications?

Non-delivery message continually on different insulin pumps
By: Sharon | 07-07-2008
Why do insulin pumps report non-delivery of insulin for a person who has been pumping for years?  Insertion sites are varied, pump changed, tubing changed, removing pump for days.  High blood sugars continue with pump saying non-delivery.  Our Diabetes Clinic has been no help.

Affordable dental care in east tn
By: sandi | 06-07-2008
Where can I find a affordable dentist in Knoxville area or Athens Tn area. I live in Madisonville by Sweetwater so any in these areas. I have insurance but I still cant afford 300 or 400 out of pocket for a root canal. And I probally need several front teeth done.

Knee tear
By: rashes | 06-07-2008
I have a menescis tear in my right knee. i understand this is an injury hockey players got. i got it after a car accident and overuse of the right leg all the while the left was in a cast. sometimes my right leg buckles.i would like to start running again. but i'm scared. it's been three years. i do other exercises -- elliptical, treadmill, stairmaster, weights -- but i really miss running.do i need to have surgery on this? can it strenghten on its own?do you think i can go running again???   

Emphysema
By: Clare | 06-07-2008
I have severe Emphysema,  will breathing in Apple Cider Vinegar help my breathing? 

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Weight Loss Articles

Weight Loss: Exercise is the Best Way to Lose Weight
By: Nicholas Tan | 19/07/2008
There are a lot of people who are overweight. This did not happen overnight so those who think this can disappear in a flash should think again.

Weight Loss: Modern Teens Face More Than Hormonal Changes
By: Nicholas Tan | 19/07/2008
For teenager, weight loss is a perpetual issue. During the times of raging hormones and attempting to adapt to their changing bodies and social roles, you'll find teens complaining of their looks especially their weights.

Weight Loss: Weight Loss is Free and Easy if Reflected Seriously
By: Nicholas Tan | 19/07/2008
Teen-agers are always plagued by many health problems triggered by many factors. One of the basic issues during this stage is the peer pressure to maintain normal weight, and in much desired sense, every teen-ager prefers the anorexic-look.

Get Six Pack Abs in 5 Steps
By: Tony Leong | 19/07/2008
Getting a six-pack abs is in the minds of most people that go to the gym but unfortunately not many develop a well-crafted set of abs. Here are 5 steps you can follow to begin carving your washboard abs.

Sculpting A Better Body With The Proper Weight Loss Plan
By: Jeffrey Greer | 19/07/2008
Body sculpting may be a new phrase but adjusting your body to suit your own idea of how it should look is nothing new...

2 Day Diet Pills Completely Safe to Consume
By: Alien | 19/07/2008
The ‘2 DAY DIET’ pills incorporated for the purpose of reducing weight does not have any after effects and is completely safe to use.

Myths Of Weight Loss Revealed
By: Jerry Leung | 19/07/2008
A lot of people are considered overweight nowadays. It seems that it have really become a common problem in developed countries. The problem of obesity also becomes a problem for children who eat too much fast food. As a result, we should be very careful so that we will not become overweight.

Quick Weight Loss: 5 Tips to Lose Weight Quickly
By: Dee Power | 19/07/2008
Only have another ten pounds to lose? Here are 5 tips for quick weight loss.

More from Shola Osho

Omega 3 Fish Oil In The Diet And Weight Loss
By: Shola Osho | 27/09/2005 | Weight Loss
When embarking on a diet, most people make the decision to cut out many foods that are considered unhealthy, such as refined carbohydrates, high calorie foods and fats. However, in order to eliminate excess body fat, you...

Seven Secrets Dieters Must Know To Lose Weight Permanently
By: Shola Osho | 26/09/2005 | Weight Loss
Every Monday millions of people will be starting a diet, and 95 to 98% of them will fail to lose weight. In fact, many of the dieters will abandon their diets by Monday lunchtime. Most diets are doomed to fail says S...

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below