The nutritional stress can also result in Electrolyte Imbalance, which is excessively low levels of potassium in the blood, which can lead to heart attacks. Recent studies found a direct link between Osteoporosis and dieting. Osteoporosis is a deadly disease in which calcium is leached from the bones resulting in fragile and deteriorating bones. Usually thought of as a post-menopausal condition, we are now finding many young women, especially dancers and athletes are suffering from osteoporosis. In addition, older women who have maintained a higher body fat percentage are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis as well as many other conditions associated with menopause.
Fat cells retain estrogen which helps maintain the calcium in the bones.
The epidemic rise in eating disorders is staggering. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone 150,000 women will die from eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, this year. Studies now show that dieting is the precursor to developing these deadly illnesses. Current estimates indicate that one in five women is suffering from a severe form of an eating disorder and eight out of ten have some of the symptoms of one or more of these illnesses. And more men are developing these disorders as well.