Why is it recommended not to diet excessively?

Jun 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, reasons for advising against excessive dieting may include malnutrition, decreased basal metabolic rate, menstrual disorders, digestive system problems, anemia, and so on. Management should be based on individual circumstances. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and undergo appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. It is also advised to adopt a scientifically balanced diet in daily life, ensuring adequate nutrient intake to maintain overall health.

Generally speaking, reasons for not recommending excessive dieting may include malnutrition, decreased basal metabolic rate, menstrual disorders, digestive system problems, anemia, etc., and appropriate measures should be taken according to individual situations. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended, and corresponding treatments should be carried out under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Malnutrition

The human body requires various nutrients to maintain normal physiological functions, including proteins for tissue repair and growth, and vitamins and minerals involved in energy metabolism and immune function. Excessive dieting often leads to a limited variety of food intake, failing to meet the body's needs for these nutrients, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, decreased immunity, dry skin, and brittle hair. It is recommended to resume a balanced diet and increase intake of foods rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

2. Decreased Basal Metabolic Rate

When the body is in a state of insufficient energy intake, it reduces its basal metabolic rate to conserve energy expenditure in response to the lower energy supply. This can result in difficulty regaining pre-dieting weight even after resuming normal eating, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty continuing weight loss after initial weight reduction and increased sensitivity to cold. It is recommended to gradually return to a normal diet, avoiding sudden large increases in calorie intake to prevent rebound weight gain.

3. Menstrual Disorders

Estrogen is one of the essential hormones in women's bodies, involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and reproductive function. Excessive dieting reduces fat tissue, thereby decreasing estrogen synthesis and secretion, leading to menstrual irregularities, which may manifest as irregular menstrual cycles, reduced or increased menstrual flow, and dysmenorrhea. It is recommended to follow medical advice for estrogen replacement therapy, such as using diethylstilbestrol tablets, compound norethindrone tablets, estradiol valerate tablets, etc.

4. Digestive System Problems

Excessive dieting significantly reduces food intake, subsequently decreasing gastrointestinal motility and digestive juice secretion, which may cause problems such as indigestion, excess stomach acid, and constipation, possibly accompanied by upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated tablets, lansoprazole tablets, and pantoprazole enteric-coated tablets to help alleviate symptoms.

5. Anemia

Iron is an essential element for hemoglobin synthesis, while folic acid and vitamin B12 are involved in red blood cell production. Excessive dieting reduces the intake of these nutrients, thereby affecting red blood cell formation and hemoglobin synthesis, leading to anemia, which may manifest as pallor, dizziness, fatigue, and other symptoms. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as iron dextran tablets, folic acid tablets, and vitamin B12 injections to supplement hematopoietic raw materials.

It is recommended to adopt a scientifically sound dietary approach in daily life, ensuring adequate nutrient intake to maintain overall health.