Tag: Severe calorie restriction

According to a systematic review published in PubMed Central, diets involving severe energy restriction over several weeks or months lead to clinically significant weight loss but also trigger substantial negative health and performance implications. This article delves into the profound effects that intentionally or unintentionally consuming insufficient calories can have on the body and mind.

Severely restricting calorie intake can have profound negative consequences on the body and mind. Consuming only 35% of a 2500 calorie diet, which equates to a mere 875 calories per day, triggers a state of semi-starvation that is both unsustainable and dangerous. This aggressive approach will prompt the body's survival mechanisms, leading to a cascade of physical and psychological issues far beyond simple weight loss.

An 800-calorie diet is a form of Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) and is considered a medical treatment, not a typical weight-loss method for the general public. This highly restrictive approach is strictly reserved for individuals with specific medical conditions, such as severe obesity or type 2 diabetes, and must only be followed under the close supervision of a healthcare professional. Understanding what an 800 calorie diet looks like involves recognizing its clinical nature, potential benefits, and the substantial risks associated with unsupervised use.

Studies show that severely restricting calories can cause the body's metabolism to slow by as much as 23%, a significant outcome of severe energy restriction. This adaptive response, intended to conserve energy during perceived starvation, triggers a cascade of adverse physical and psychological consequences that extend far beyond simple weight loss.