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38kg Toll: How Low-Carb Diets Harm Mental Health & Body
28 Jan
Summary
- Prolonged under-eating depletes brain energy, disrupting mood and focus.
- Extreme thinness can cause facial swelling due to poor nutrition.
- Weight training aids recovery by rebuilding muscle and improving confidence.
A celebrity's reflection on reaching a low of 38 kg during a period of poor nutrition and depression has brought attention to the severe mental and physical impacts of extreme dieting. This phase, marked by consuming only one meal a day with no carbohydrates, resulted in significant mood disturbances, including anger and irritability.
Expert insights reveal that prolonged under-eating deprives the brain of glucose, its primary fuel, disrupting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and emotional numbness. Furthermore, inadequate nutrition, even at very low body weights, can impair the lymphatic system and immune regulation, causing facial swelling and inflammation.
Weight training is identified as a crucial tool for recovery. It helps rebuild muscle mass, improves bone density, and supports hormonal balance. Psychologically, it can restore a sense of control and confidence. However, experts stress that nutritional rehabilitation must precede any exercise regimen, which should begin cautiously with low-intensity sessions.
