Extreme weight loss warning in Newcastle

Published 15th Jan 2016

A Newcastle health expert claims people looking for quick fix weight loss could be putting their lives at risk.

More than a third of us vowed to lose weight this year but many people want to drop the pounds fast.

Now more people are turning to cleanses, detoxes and diet pills sold online and on social media.

Edel Turnbett is a community dietician at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

She’s dealing with people who’ve tried fad diet and suffer the consequences every day.

Edel said:

“We don’t actually know of their true contents. Sometimes the claims are claiming natural ingredients but what the authorities are finding is there are hidden ingredients and we are unsure of what effect these may have on the body.”

“They may result in rapid weight loss. However, that rapid weight loss is largely losing water and glycogen form the body and is not in fact true fat loss. Therefore, the likelihood of someone regaining that weight is very high.”

“Side effects may include tiredness, low energy levels and headaches. But there are actually more serious implications such as nutritional deficiencies, gallstones or even some serious heart problems long-term. So we absolutely do not recommend those quick fix solutions.”

“What we advise and what we promote is to adopt healthy eating principles and to aim for a slow and sustainable weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week.”

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