THE ESSENTIAL
- To lose weight permanently, it is preferable that the weight loss is gradual.
- For this, the ideal is that the daily calorie balance should be slightly below zero.
It is well known that finding the right diet that will make us lose weight in the long term is not easy. By restricting your diet too abruptly, it is possible to lose pounds… But once the objective is reached, you risk resuming your old habits and gaining weight quickly. This is called the yoyo effect. In addition to being discouraging and ineffective, it could also be harmful to heart and kidney health.
Risks of heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes
Indeed, according to a new study presented during the annual congress of theAmerican Physiological Societyexcessive variations in weight due to a reduction and then an increase in calorie intake would increase the risk of developing heart and kidney diseases and also diabetes.
A 20% loss of body weight
The scientists conducted their experiments on rats. Sixteen in total, which they divided into two groups: one received a regular caloric intake throughout the duration of the study, while the other underwent variations: normal diet then restricted. The rodents subjected to fluctuations lost up to 20% of their body weight, that is to say the kilos that they lost and then regained.
Ultrasounds and blood tests to measure the consequences of the diet
To assess the impact of dietary variations on the rats’ health, the researchers used ultrasound. Specifically, they sought to analyze whether their heart and kidney functions had been damaged by the diets. At the same time, they also gave them blood tests to assess their sensitivity to insulin, an indicator of diabetes.
The heart and metabolism impacted
“We found that animals that lost and then regained weight had worse heart and kidney function at the end (from experience), says Alina da Souza, lead author of the study. They also had more insulin resistance, which may be a cause of diabetes. Even though the animals appear to be healthy after recovering from the diet, their hearts and metabolisms are not healthy.“.
Scientists now want to continue their research to better identify the long-term effects of diets, especially when weight loss is rapid.