Gallstones are the most common, serious side effects of very low-calorie diets.
Gallstone mechanism:
1. Bile supersaturation.
2. Nucleation and initiation of stone formation.
3. Enlargement of the gallstone by accretion.
There is a triangle of cholesterol, phospholipids, and bile salts. Progressively: micelles, micelles + vesicles, micelles + crystals, and micelles + vesicles + crystals.
Gallstones, or cholelithiasis, are stones that form in the gallbladder. These stones are made up of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile. Gallstones are more common during rapid weight loss. When the body experiences a calorie deficit, it starts to break down fat for energy.
During strict calorie defecits, the liver secretes more cholesterol. When this secretion is combined with bile, gallstones form.
Gallstones function to cause major problems if they accumulate into a duct blockage. Intense abdominal pain, jaundice, chills, back pain, shoulder pain, nausea and vomiting result. Pain episodes last from minutes to a couple of hours.
In order to avoid gallstone formation during a low calorie diet, stay on a scheduled mealtime. Avoid fasting. Lose weight slowly as opposed to rapid weight loss. 1 - 2 pounds a week is gradual. Aim towards fruits, vegetables and grains. Obesity, and generally being overweight is bad. Instead of rapid weight loss to maintain shape, stay on a healthy diet, and continue to exercise. (pubmed central)
Low calorie diet vs keto diet is a popular research topic. They're similar because of their low calorie weight loss basics. The diets limit intake differently, though. The keto diet is more restrictive. The low calorie diet is a better alternative because of long term sustainability. Staying on the diet is the key to success.
In conclusion, low calorie diet is safe and the potential side effects are minor. The side effects are mostly avoidable, too. The body requires a balance of foods from different food groups. Providing balanced nutrition, meal satisfaction, on a low-calorie diet is difficult. In addition, consuming as few as 800 calories daily may not give you the energy you need for daily living and regular physical activity. Steer toward variety, steer away from repetition.
