7 Top Possible Causes for Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss: 7 possible causes

Fluctuations in your body weight are very normal. This usually has to do with a change in your diet. Both salt and sugar intake cause you to retain a lot of fluid. By putting the brakes on this for a moment, your body will keep itself in balance by excreting a lot of water. Such weight loss of several kilos is absolutely normal. But what if you don't know where your weight loss is coming from? Then what could be the cause? Sudden weight loss? Unexplained weight loss can be worrying because it can indicate a variety of underlying conditions. That doesn't mean you have to panic with every fluctuation. But if you notice that you have lost a lot of weight without being able to find an explanation for this, it is important to keep a close eye on this. Sudden weight loss is quite subjective. For someone weighing 100 kg, a weight loss of 5 kg is much more “normal” than for someone weighing 55 kg. For someone with a normal BMI, you should pay attention if you lose more than 4 kg in 10 weeks without being able to find an explanation for it. Other sources speak of a weight loss of 5% of your body weight in less than 6 months. But it is better not to cling too tightly to these numbers and determine for yourself what falls outside your personal, normal weight fluctuations. Unintentional weight loss: 7 causes The causes of unexplained weight loss can be very diverse. Some are very innocent and are part of the normal flow of life. But in some cases, serious health problems may be the cause. And then it is good to be able to identify this as quickly as possible. 1. Nutrition The most innocent cause of unexplained weight loss is diet. In most cases you know that you are eating differently than normal, but that is not always the case. We have already indicated that quitting sugar and salt (whether consciously or not) entails a lot of fluid loss. Maybe you've been going to the café with your friends less for a while or you've exchanged your daily glass of wine for tea after the meal. In that case, you are healthier by consuming less sugar. And maybe you weren't aware of this at all. 2. Stress Stress can have different effects. Some people turn to unhealthy foods in stressful situations and actually gain weight. Moreover, in stressful situations the body is unable to burn fats . In other people it can actually cause weight loss. By continuously putting yourself in the fight or flight response, your body releases energy from sugars and you even burn muscle mass. In addition, hormonal changes occur that suppress digestion and the production of new muscle mass 3. Intestinal complaints

Poor digestion, as mentioned above, can be a result of stress. If your nutrients are not absorbed properly, you can eat as much as you want and still lose weight. In addition to stress, there are many other conditions that can have an effect on your digestion. Just think of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In many cases there are noticeable symptoms such as bloating or diarrhea. Unfortunately, these warning signs are often overlooked due to our busy lifestyles. 4. Diabetes Being overweight, eating too often and eating too much sugar can lead to insulin resistance. If this continues, you will develop diabetes. Although obesity is strongly linked to diabetes, you can also lose weight. The fact is that your cells are then (more) insensitive to insulin. As a result, sugar is no longer stored in the cells, so your body is forced to burn fats and muscle mass. Whether you will actually lose weight from diabetes cannot be said with certainty. But if losing weight is accompanied by an enormous thirst, it is smart to sound the alarm. 5. Parasites Maybe you lose weight because you have an extra mouth to feed and we don't mean a baby, but a parasite. You can contract a parasite both abroad and in the Netherlands. The most common intestinal parasites are Giardia and Cryptosporidium. In many cases you develop intestinal complaints and diarrhea, but a parasite can also be dormant. If you suspect that a parasite is the cause of your unexplained weight loss, you can get tested for it. You can get rid of this with the right nutrition and a specific detox . 6. Thyroid problems The thyroid gland is the energy regulator in the body. An underactive thyroid ensures that body processes run slower and that you gain weight. An overactive thyroid causes an accelerated metabolism and you usually lose weight. If this is the case, it is important to investigate why your thyroid is overactive. Is it a problem of the thyroid itself? Or does it actually do a great job of protecting you against an infection? An overactive thyroid is usually accompanied by symptoms such as increased hunger, sweating, heart palpitations and sleep problems. 7. Depression Depression usually means that you no longer feel like doing anything, including food. Often you don't even notice the problems because your mental energy is so low. In that case, it is of course important to take good care of yourself step by step, mentally and physically. Tips to combat unwanted weight loss Unexplained weight loss is difficult to solve if you don't know where to start. That is why it is important to find out in a strategic way what exactly is going on. This way you can regain your weight and your old life step by step. Step 1: Take a step back

So the first step is to take a step back, literally and figuratively. Start by taking a moment to reflect on what has happened in your life recently. Sit quietly with a cup of tea and go through all your recent life events. Maybe you will suddenly get an insight. Also literally take a step back. We are so often caught in the rat race that we can no longer see the forest for the trees. Take a few days off. Take it easy, relax and eat healthy. If you give your body time and space, in many cases it will repair itself. You may never discover what was really going on, but that's not necessarily the case. Trust your inner strength and the wisdom of your body. Step 2: Use a meal plan

If you don't know what is causing your unexplained weight loss, but you feel fine, it is very useful to get your diet in order for a while. With an eating plan you provide the necessary structure to your nutritional habits. Step 3: Identify unexplained weight loss If you have given yourself and your body time to recover, but you are unable to recover, it is important to consult a doctor to determine what factors are underlying your weight loss. The better you get to know yourself, the more you can take responsibility for your own health. If you are told that you are in the early stages of diabetes, for example, that is not nice to hear. But at the same time it is a unique second chance to turn the tide.