Why a super low calorie or crash diet isn't good for you

Many of the most popular diets at the moment make use of the process of 'Ketosis' or as it known in my textbooks 'beta oxidation'. You have probably heard of it, and lets not be mistaken ketosis will burn fat and you can potentially lose a lot of weight.

Beta oxidation is the process the body uses when its running out of sugar, a kind of rescue system for energy. The process converts your body's fat stores into 'ketones', a potent fuel source for the body and brain. These fat stores are incredibly precious to the body and the body would much rather lower your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and shut off 'non-essential' bodily functions before resorting to this ketosis phase. Your skin, hair, brain, hormones and energy levels are all effected, it can thwart your ability to heal wounds and even give you diarrhea.  

Restricting your calorie intake to lower than your BMR will leave you feeling tired, hungry and unable to concentrate. (Lets not get into the effects of lack of fibre these diets will entail either). 

don't do it. 

So what should you do?... well firstly keep your calorie intake above your BMR

See next nutrition post....