A 25-year-old Chinese influencer suffered severe acute pancreatitis after eating only boiled chicken breast and cauliflower for almost six months in her bid to lose weight.
According to The Star, the woman confessed that she avoided carbohydrates and fats in her diet to lose weight. Her diet, consisting of chicken breast and cauliflower with occasional slices of potato, worked at the start.
However, she would go on to feel weak and look pale, but did not make much of it until she suffered from sharp abdominal cramps. She rushed to a hospital to see a doctor, where she was diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis. Much of her pancreas was found to have necrotised.
According to the doctor, the woman had serum amylase levels that were 10 times higher than normal, which was life-threatening. Amylase is a type of enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates and is produced by the pancreas and salivary glands.
The doctor explained that diets which are excessively low in calories may look healthy, but could disrupt the normal secretion of digestive enzymes. The doctor urged those looking to lose weight to eat a calorie deficit but maintain a balanced diet.
According to Columbia University Irving Medical Center, pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that occurs when enzyme secretions build up in the pancreas and begin to digest the organ itself. It can occur as painful episodes lasting a matter of days, or it may be a chronic condition that progresses over time.
This is really a cautionary tale leh! Many people want to lose weight quickly, but extreme diets like this can be very dangerous. Your body needs a proper balance of nutrients – carbs, fats, and proteins – to function properly. Everything in moderation is key. If you want to lose weight, better to consult a proper nutritionist rather than follow extreme diets that could land you in hospital!
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