RISKS OF NOT EATING ENOUGH

NOT EATING ENOUGH?

Loss of muscle tissue, weaker bones, vitamin & mineral deficiencies, hair loss, brittle nails, impaired congnitive function, hormonal problems, menstrual cycle issues, irretability, & heart failure.
Just to list a few...

DON'T STARVE YOURSELF!!!

Your metabolism slows down to preserve calories for important bodily functions like breathing & circulation of the blood.
Starving yourself results in feeling sluggish, trouble thinking and concentrating, makes you more susceptible to colds and other health complications. It will affect muscular strength, bone health, & may cause organ failure.
Starving yourself or restricting your diet will cause weight gain as your body stores whatever calories you eat as fat. This means that the very next thing you eat will be directed straight to your fat stores rather than be utilized as energy.

Restricting calories, especially over a period of time can develop in becoming nutrient deficient. This includes iron, folate & vitamin B-12. Being deficient in these nutrients cause anemia, a disease that affects red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the  organs and tissues of the body.

Not getting the nutrients you need may cause an electrolyte imbalance. You get electrolytes from the vitamins in your diet that your body needs to function. Low electrolyte levels can lead to irregular heartbeat, confusion, changes in blood pressure & bone disorders.

Starving yourself or restricting your diet will cause muscle atrophy. This is basically your body eating itself. Your body goes into emergency mode or self-preservation. It will store as much fat as it can while eating away at your muscles in order to survive.

Hypotension- aka- Low Blood Pressure, is caused by low body temperature, malnutrition & dehydration, all of which are caused by not eating enough and can cause heart problems.

Calcium deficiency is the result of the reduction of bone mass, otherwise known as osteoporosis. When you dont eat enough you are not getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs for healthy bones.

Low blood sugar or Hyopglycemia is brought on by not eating enough. This will eventually cause liver, kidney, & brain damage.

***YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE STARVING YOURSELF. IF YOU ARE, CONACT AN EATING DISORDER SPECIALIST OR CALL A HOT LINE.

If you skip meals or arent sure if you are eating enough, go speak to a registered dietician or licensed nutritionist.
If you have experienced any of the symptoms in this article, SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY to make sure you are not in danger. When you are all clear, go see an RD!

Being underweight can be just as dangerous as being overweight. You dont necessarily have to be underweight to suffer the concenquences - you can still be in danger if you are not  underweight, but restricting your calories or starving yourself.
You should not lose more than two pounds a week during safe weight loss!

Hugs,Health,&Happiness
Bernadette
xoxoxoxoxo