10 Health Risks From Not Eating Enough

We all know that good health comes from proper rest, nutrition and exercise. Some people think that as long as they don’t starve themselves that they will be fine. But even if you are eating, and just not eating enough, you can suffer from a multitude of problems. Listed below you will find ten health risks from not eating enough.

Credit: NonDiet 

1. Malnutrition.  A deficiency in the nutrients required for proper health, malnutrition can lead to respiratory infections, kidney failure, blindness, heart attack and death.
2. Dehydration. Is caused by not taking in enough fluids. Many think of hydration simply from drinking water, but a lot of our daily intake of fluids comes from the foods we eat. Dehydration can cause dizziness, weakness, kidney failure, heart failure, seizures, brain damage and death.
3. Electrolyte Imbalances.  An electrolyte imbalance can be caused by not getting the vitamins from your diet that your body needs to function. Low levels can lead to irregular heartbeat, confusion, changes in blood pressure and bone disorders. High levels can lead to muscle spasms, numbness and fatigue.
4. Muscle Atrophy.  This occurs when your body goes into starvation mode and begins to feed off itself. When your body goes into self-preservation, it will store as much fat as it can, and start eating away at the muscle in order to survive. This muscle reduction is known as atrophy and can be very damaging.
5. Reduced Neuromuscular Functions.  Potassium is essential for proper neuromuscular functions. When your body is lacking in the vitamins and minerals it needs, due to malnutrition, it reduces these functions and can even lead to paralysis.
6. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This isn’t your run of the mill tiredness. Caused by a weakened immune system, chronic fatigue syndrome is continuous and can be crippling.
7. Hypotension. Otherwise known as low blood pressure, hypotension is caused by low body temperature, malnutrition and dehydration, all of which are caused by not eating enough, and can cause heart problems.
8. Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar is too low. By not eating enough, your blood sugar can drop. If this happens on a consistent basis, you can damage your liver or kidneys. It can even lead to brain damage and death.
9. Anemia. This condition occurs when you are not getting enough iron in your diet. Anemia can lead to fatigue, problems breathing and heart palpitations. When you don’t have enough iron in your body you also run an increased risk of infections.
10. Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the reduction of bone mass and is caused by a calcium deficiency. When you do not eat enough, you are not getting the proper nutrition including the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy bones.

There are many things that can go wrong with your body when you do not eat enough food. This list is just the beginning. If you are trying to lose weight, talk to your doctor about an eating plan that will get you to your target weight goal without putting yourself in danger.

Contacts and sources:
Story by Rosa Wilson
http://www.nondiet.com/blog/10-health-risks-from-not-eating-enough/