Sunita Williams’ weight is continuously decreasing in space, know how dangerous is sudden weight loss

Sunita Williams Weight Loss : Indian-origin American astronaut Sunita Williams is stranded in space. During this time, he is losing weight rapidly, which has become the biggest challenge for doctors and scientists. Since reaching the International Space Station in June 2024, his weight has been continuously decreasing.

According to a report in the American New York Post, NASA experts are making every effort to normalize his weight. In such a situation, the question arises that why Sunita Williams is losing weight in space. How dangerous can sudden weight loss be? Let us know the answers to these questions…

Why is Sunita Williams’ weight decreasing in space?

Weight loss is quite common in space. This is mostly seen during long missions. According to reports, people going to space need more calories than those on Earth. When Sunita Williams went on the mission, her weight was 63.5 kg and height was 5.8 feet. But the high calorie diet available to them is not meeting their needs. In space, the metabolism of human body increases, due to which they need more calories.

NASA scientists believe that an average astronaut needs 3,500 to 4,000 calories daily to maintain a healthy weight. Apart from this, to keep the body fit in zero gravity, it is necessary to exercise for about two hours every day, due to which calories are burnt and weight is reduced.

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How dangerous is sudden weight loss?

1. Lack of nutrition

Due to weight loss, the body does not get essential nutrients, which can cause health problems. Not getting the right kind of nutrition in the body can cause serious health risks. Therefore, even on earth, it is forbidden to lose weight with the help of medicines.

2. Muscle weakness

Due to weight loss, muscles become weak, which causes difficulty in physical activities. Actually, walking on the ground causes fatigue, because the bones and muscles have to work against the earth’s gravity, but in zero or very low gravity there is no stress on the body, which causes damage to the bones and muscles.

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3. Heart Problems

Sudden weight loss increases pressure on the heart, which can cause heart-related problems. In space, body fluids do not remain in the body the way they do on Earth. Due to this, the way the body works changes. RBCs are formed in the bone marrow of the bones in the body. Due to changing fluid dynamics in the space, the bone marrow does not make enough RBCs. Due to this, the volume of blood in the body and the hemoglobin found in RBCs decreases. It is with the help of hemoglobin that it reaches the essential organs of the body flowing with the blood. Deficiency of hemoglobin puts pressure on the cardio-vascular system, which can lead to heart diseases.

4. Mental health affected

Sudden weight loss can affect mental health, causing stress and depression. Actually, the reason why Sunita Williams is having psychological problems is that she went to space for only 8 days but had to stay there for more than 8 months, in such a situation her mental health can be affected.