The doctor spoke about the consequences of hunger strikes after the New Year

After the New Year holidays, many Russians notice weight gain, which some try to get rid of radically by going on a hunger strike, but such a solution to the problem can harm the body. This was announced on January 5 by Daria Khaikina, an endocrinologist and nutritionist at the SM Clinic.

"In such a situation, first of all, the metabolism slows down. Hunger is perceived by the body as a signal of unfavorable conditions, so it tries to reduce energy consumption. Since metabolism is directly related to energy consumption, its decrease significantly complicates further weight loss," Khaikina explained in an interview with Gazeta.Ru».

She explained that fasting puts the body under stress. In the first days of fasting, the body consumes accumulated glycogen from the liver and muscles, and after that — water, which makes it seem that the gained kilograms are going away. The doctor warned that this result is temporary. Next, the body will adjust to changes in nutrition and begin to save energy.

Khaikina noted that hunger strike causes loss of muscle tissue. In conditions of scarcity, according to her, the body will begin to use reserves, and muscles will become the first "victim" of hunger strike when adipose tissue remains and accumulates.

The doctor warned that drastic restrictions could lead to hormonal disruptions. Women risk destabilizing the menstrual cycle with such actions, and men risk reducing testosterone. You should also expect digestive problems, including gastritis and exacerbation of chronic stomach diseases.

The desire to get in shape faster after the New Year's feast is well founded, but, according to the doctor, the path to perfection should be safe and reasonable. Khaikina believes that health should remain a priority, and losing weight is a long process that requires a balanced and professional approach.

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DDX Fitness personal trainer and nutritionist Alyona Averyanova told Gazeta on December 26.Ru", that restoring nutrition after the New Year holidays requires not a strict diet, but a systematic approach and a refusal to drastically reduce the caloric intake. Averyanova recommended returning to the usual diet gradually, maintaining regular meals and paying attention to sufficient protein intake. In addition, she urged to consume food consciously.

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