Filed under: Advice, Health, Healthy Eating
Losing weight might be a lifesaving measure, but new studies suggest that it could be bad for your health too. Researchers have found that counting calories and limiting portions can produce higher levels of a dangerous stress hormone called cortisol, which can lead to major health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Furthermore, they warn doctors against putting patients on stringent weight loss programs because they feel diets can lead to long-term health issues.
To determine this, experts from the University of California San Francisco and Minnesota University teamed up to study to over 120 women over three weeks on a restricted diet of 1,200 calories a day. The women gave saliva samples before and after the study, which were tested for hormone levels.
The researchers found that the study participants who controlled their calorie intakes most strictly had a higher level or cortisol than normal. What’s even more baffling? A number of them even gained weight in response to the hormone.
Continue reading Counting Calories is Bad For Your Health