Weight loss approaches: Success through habit change versus risks of extreme fasting

Two contrasting cases of weight loss highlight the health implications of different dietary approaches.

In Japan, a photographer named Maruko successfully lost approximately 22kg over six months. Rather than using extreme fasting, she focused on consistent eating habits during the day to avoid binge eating at night. By incorporating foods such as chicken breast, vegetables, and sweet potatoes, she reduced her body fat percentage from 44.9% to 26.3% and decreased her waist circumference by 26cm.

Conversely, a 31-year-old woman in Zhengzhou, China, suffered severe neurological damage after losing 20kg in a single month through extreme fasting. By consuming only water for half a month, she developed Wernicke encephalopathy due to critical deficiencies in Vitamin B1 and folic acid. Doctors reported that she now experiences memory loss and permanent balance issues, potentially requiring her to walk unsteadily for the rest of her life.