Information and facts on Underweight

 

There are people who are just thinner than normal most of their life and are healthy that way. But for other people, underweight may be indicative of health problems. This is especially true if the condition results from unintended, perhaps sudden, weight loss. Unintended weight loss can result from a malabsorption problem,  intestinal parasites,  certain types of cancer; a colon disorder such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis , or a chronic illness such as diabetes, chronic diarrhea, or hyperthyroidism. Surgery, stress, or trauma, such as the loss of a loved one, can also contribute to loss of appetite and weight loss.
Underweight can also be caused by treatments such as cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy, whose side effects include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. An individual who is underweight but believes he or she weighs too much may be suffering from an eating disorder. People with AIDS often suffer from what is known as “wasting syndrome,” in which they become more and more emaciated as the disease progresses. Weight loss may in turn cause nutritional deficiencies that further impair health and complicate recovery.

Two age groups for whom poor nutrition is a special problem are the very young and the very old. Malnutrition in childhood, especially in infancy, can have permanent effects because it interferes with normal growth and development. Children also have less in the way of nutritional reserves in their bodies to draw upon if intake or absorption of nutrients is inadequate. At the other end of the lifespan, many elderly people find themselves less and less interested in eating as time goes by, and reduced financial resources may add to the incentive to skip meals. As a result, older people have an increased risk of becoming malnourished.

The suggestions in this section are intended for older people who require nutritional rehabilitation. They may also be useful for people who have higher than normal nutritional requirements, such as people who have hepatitis or are undergoing cancer treatment, those who are recovering from burns or trauma, and women who are pregnant or nursing. A child who is undernourished or stops gaining weight should be seen by a doctor.

If you think you may be underweight, and particularly if you are experiencing unintended weight loss, have a complete medical examination to check for an underlying physical disorder. You may have a health problem that requires treatment. You should be concerned when a baby or young child suddenly seems to stop gaining weight.

Other Changes To Make

• drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

• eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

• nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

• juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

• do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

• carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

• a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

• do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

• do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

• use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

• brown rice is good to eat

• avoid red meat and animal fats

• reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

• fast a few days a month

• get at least 8 hours of sleep 

• exercise light to moderate amounts

• avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

• do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

• do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

• do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

• do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.