An outbreak of the disease-causing parasite cyclospora has infected thousands of Americans nationwide, sparking a concerning trend dubbed “cyclospora skinny.” What began as a joke about symptoms such as weight loss and low appetite has prompted warnings from medical experts.

Dhaval Desai, a pediatric physician and internal medicine doctor, spoke with NewsNation about the risks associated with this trend. “It is a problematic bug that can cause persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramping, feeling very uncomfortable,” Desai said. “It is not something that you would want.”

Some social media influencers have been promoting the idea of deliberately contracting cyclospora to lose weight faster. Desai strongly advises against this, explaining that the weight loss primarily results from dehydration and loss of vital fluids, electrolytes, and proteins. “It is your body in a stressed state losing fluid, electrolytes, protein, all in a way that is gonna ultimately probably make you sicker,” he said.

He emphasized the dangers of nutrient depletion, stating, “The danger is really that you’re going to deplete yourself of the vital nutrients, the vital calories, the vital proteins that you need, which are our daily building blocks.” Desai urged that weight loss should be approached properly, maintaining adequate calories, electrolytes, and nutrition to support health.

This warning comes amid the ongoing cyclospora outbreak affecting communities across the United States.

Sources