Rapid weight loss is not only dangerous to your health but will make it even harder to keep off the weight that was lost. In fact, research indicates that people who lose a quick 10 to 15 pounds by fasting, taking pills or consuming nothing but liquids typically gain back 20 pounds or more within a few months of losing that weight.

Crash diets do not provide the body with the nutrients it needs to avoid suffering the serious health effects of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In particular, protein-deficient, rapid weight loss diets will cause anemia, hair loss, delayed wound healing, excessively dry skin and even mood instability. Also, be aware that losing more than two pounds a week means you are probably not losing fat but only water and lean (muscle) tissue.

If you go on a rapid weight loss diet and you could suffer dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, dizziness/fainting, chronic headaches and malnutrition.

It's not worth it!

The Dangers of Rapid Weight Loss Pills

Many weight loss pills touted to "burn fat" contain unregulated ingredients that may be harmful to your health. Recently, the FDA investigated over 70 over-the-counter weight loss pills and found that many of these diet products contains "unreported" ingredients, including phenytoin (an anticonvulsant medication with the potential for precipitating heart attacks and strokes) and rimonabant, a drug causing severe depression and suicide ideation.

Although never approved by the U.S. FDA, rimonabant and phenytoin are still being found in OTC "fat burning" weight loss products.

Healthy Weight Loss Takes Dedication and Time

Losing weight involves more than just counting calories. Losing weight and keeping it off means changing your lifestyle by adopting new habits and integrating those new habits into your daily routine. It means eating plenty of healthy foods, incorporating additional physical activity into your lifestyle and understanding how important the mind/body connection is to your overall health and well-being.

To get started on your successful weight loss plan, contact the Lubbock Advanced Physical Medicine and receive the professional guidance necessary for losing and keeping off weight while dramatically improving your physical and emotional health.