How Diet Trends TRIGGER This Disease Risk

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted August 13, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

It happens to all of us.

You hear about an exciting new diet, and you’re ALL IN!

You follow the diet perfectly and lose some weight. But then you lose your motivation. Or something kicks you off your plan, like a vacation or family event.

Suddenly you’re back to eating the same old junk you used to eat. And you gain back all the weight you lost. And maybe a few extra pounds too.

This cycle of gaining weight and losing weight only to regain it again is known as yo-yo dieting. And it can be downright dangerous.

Not all of this is our fault. After all, much of the food we eat every day is VERY addictive. (I’m looking at you, sugar!)

But while it’s disheartening to regain the weight you lost, that’s the least of your worries. When you yo-yo diet, there’s something far worse going on in your body that SHOULD worry you.

A group of researchers who presented their study at the American Physiological Society annual meeting in Philadelphia found that yo-yo dieting increased the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

The researchers used rats to study how dramatic swings in the calories consumed affected the rodents. Plus, they looked at the long-term impacts of yo-yo dieting on heart health and metabolism.

The rats had increasing insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes) and poor kidney function.

You may have heard that reducing calories can have a big impact on your health. And this is true: maintaining a low-calorie diet can extend longevity and health.

BUT when people move from low-calorie diets to high-calorie ones and back again, it can really throw off their metabolism.

This makes sense because yo-yo dieting tells the body that there are times of extreme calorie deficits. So when you up your calorie intake again, your body will work as hard as possible to retain those calories for the coming lean times.

So, what can you do?

Fasting and calorie restriction (eating only during certain hours of the day) are good for you. But almost no one can resist the temptation to eat more once they eat that first cookie (or other sweet food).

I recommend that you stay away from sugar and other addicting foods as much as possible. Focus on higher protein foods instead. You will feel fuller longer and be less likely to grab some junk food.

PS: A study found that this delicious indulgence could actually SHRINK your diabetes risk… you just have to know WHEN to do it. I’ve got all the details right here.

Source: “Yo-yo dieting can lead to long-term heart problems, raise risk of diabetes,” https://www.studyfinds.org/yo-yo-dieting-heart-diabetes/

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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