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July 30, 2024 07:45 AM IST
From increased production of stress hormones to lack of essential nutrients, here are some reasons why eating less may not be helpful in weight loss.
It is a common misconception that we need to cut down on our food intake to lose excess weight. Often when people try dieting, they start by reducing their food intake. But is it safe and effective? In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rituja Ugalmugale, Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, explains the opposite – “When you significantly reduce your calorie intake, your body goes into starvation mode, which is a survival mechanism evolved to conserve energy during times of food scarcity. This mode slows down your metabolism to preserve fat stores, making it difficult to lose weight and, in some cases, leading to weight gain as the body becomes more efficient at storing the energy gained.” Here’s why eating less can have the opposite effect on weight loss:
Loss of muscle mass:
Eating too few calories can also lead to muscle loss. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue at rest, so losing muscle mass can lower your overall metabolic rate. This decrease in metabolism means you burn fewer calories throughout the day, making it more difficult to lose weight and more likely to lead to weight gain.
Also read: Lose weight without exercising: 8 ways to lose weight if you can’t break a sweat this summer
Deficiency of essential nutrients:
Restrictive diets often lack essential nutrients, which can disrupt normal bodily functions. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to hormonal imbalances, particularly in the hormones that regulate hunger and satiety, such as ghrelin and leptin. An imbalance in these hormones can increase feelings of hunger and lead to overeating or cravings, further contributing to weight gain.
Increased cortisol production:
Strict dieting can be mentally and emotionally stressful. This stress increases the production of cortisol, a hormone associated with weight gain, especially in the abdominal area. High cortisol levels can trigger the body to store fat, especially visceral fat.
Also read: Power Walking: How To Adopt This Powerful Walking Technique For Weight Loss
Adaptive Thermogenesis:
Adaptive thermogenesis is a process in which the body reduces its energy expenditure more than would be expected based on calorie intake. This is another protective mechanism against starvation, but it can undermine weight loss efforts.
Also Read: 12 Fat Burning Exercises for Weight Loss
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