It's natural for people who are trying to lose weight to want to see the effects as soon as possible. It's not only about sticking to a diet to lose weight in a healthy way, it's about making long-term lifestyle changes that include daily food and activity.

Fad diet is a weight-loss strategy which provides quick results and is usually just a temporary shift in eating habits. These diets are unhealthy since they give people fewer calories and nutrients which is vital in your body.

Most fad diets exclude food items that will offer essential nutrients that your body requires to stay healthy. Diets that are high-fat, low-carbohydrate, or high-protein are some of the examples. Sources of nutrients like grains are eliminated and there are also compounds such as lectins that are removed from these diets.

Many of these diets are likely to be deficient in important nutrients such as dietary fiber and carbohydrates, certain vitamins, minerals, and beneficial phytochemicals. You can develop major health problems if you do not get enough of these nutrients.

Fad diets may have the possibility to cause health problems because they often cut out essential foods that will provide essential nutrients. Fad diets can cause some symptoms, such as dehydration, fatigue, nausea and headaches, and constipation, which are all dangerous to your health. In the long run, fad diets also cause stress, eating disorders, and damage to bodily organs.  

Fad diets make you eliminate food groups and nutrients which means that you will not get the chance to receive the protective health effects provided by a balanced eating plan. It is not yet certain if fad diets are safe in the long run or they could lead to an increased risk of many serious diseases.  

How can fad diets affect your immune system?

Your immune system plays a vital function in protecting you from disease-causing microbes. The immune system is not composed of a single organ but is a collection of interrelated systems. For the immune system to do its function properly, it requires balance and harmony.

The first line of defense is for you to choose to have a healthy lifestyle. The only best measure you can take to keep your immune system working properly is to follow the general good-health standards.

The nutrients mentioned above that are eliminated or reduced through fad diets are the same nutrients that the body requires for the immune system to be healthy and capable of performing its duty as your body's army. The body will not receive all of the vital nutrients if you follow a fad diet, which can damage your immune system and weakens it.

A good diet is essential to build a strong immune system. A good diet includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. A balanced diet can help guarantee you're getting enough of the micronutrients that play a part in immune system maintenance, in addition to giving your immune system the energy it requires.

Healthy immune system fighters require consistent nutrition. (Article and Infographics by CMU BSND OJT Keishe Jan T. Aban)