Rapid weight loss: a deceptive illusion with severe consequences, warns nutritionist Issa Nacanabo

Nutritionist Issa Nacanabo explains that drastic diets, also known as draconian diets, involve a sudden and excessive reduction in caloric intake by eliminating certain food groups. When calories are drastically reduced, the body initially uses carbohydrate reserves, then fat, and finally protein. In drastic diets, the body often lacks carbohydrates, leading it to conserve fat and utilize protein. This results in rapid weight loss, which is primarily due to the loss of water and muscle, not fat. Nacanabo warns that this often leads to a "yo-yo effect," where individuals regain more weight than they lost, as the body stores nutrients in anticipation of future restrictions. Long-term effects of drastic diets include chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, bulimia, nutritional deficiencies iron, B12, D, calcium, magnesium, hair loss, cardiovascular risks, food obsession, and loss of self-confidence. For women, menstrual disorders can also occur. These diets can also trigger eating disorders, such as compulsive eating and uncontrolled cravings, because the brain resists deprivation. For sustainable weight loss, Nacanabo recommends a healthy and balanced eating strategy, including sufficient protein and fiber, combined with rigorous physical activity and adequate sleep. These habits should be integrated into one's lifestyle rather than adopted temporarily. He emphasizes that exercise alone is insufficient for weight loss, and a healthy rate of weight loss is 2 to 4 kilograms per mon