Keto Means
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Does losing weight change your voice?

Answer: There are many studies being done to assess the effects of weight loss on the voice. Preliminary data suggest that at the extremes, weight loss and weight gain affect the voice. Interestingly, this effect is different in men and women.

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Do weight loss and weight gain affect the voice?

Question: I recently underwent gastric bypass surgery. Thanks to this procedure, I’ve lost more than 100 pounds and I’m thrilled with the results. However, I’ve noticed that my voice has gotten slightly deeper. Is it normal for men’s voices to get deeper with weight loss? Should I be worried that there is something else going on?

Answer: There are many studies being done to assess the effects of weight loss on the voice. Preliminary data suggest that at the extremes, weight loss and weight gain affect the voice. Interestingly, this effect is different in men and women. Excess weight results in an increased production and storage of female hormones, and, to a lesser extent, male hormones. In men, there is a relatively higher level of female hormones and they respond to this. This can result in a slight lightening of the voice. In women, the slightly higher level of testosterone results in a masculinization of the voice. Specifically, the pitch gets slightly lower. More importantly, obese people are often not in good physical condition. This often results in poor breath control and a more restricted expansion of the chest. Endurance is required to be able to sing correctly and most obese people do not have that endurance. The older paradigm of heavy-set opera singers is changing as opera singers are required to do more physical stage work. It is no longer considered mandatory for a good singer to be heavy, as used to be the case. Slim performers can develop as good a support as a heavy singer and have greater endurance as well. There is a law of diminishing returns; below a certain weight, continued weight loss will have a negative effect on the voice. A certain body weight is necessary for good health, and this weight varies from person to person. Underweight singers tend to have a more fragile vocal system that is more prone to injuries, and often a significantly decreased endurance. Maintaining a healthy weight, not being over or underweight, will set you on the path to vocal health.

Key Points

Significant weight gain will have a negative effect on the voice (pitch and endurance)

Maintaining a healthy weight ensures the best likelihood of successful voice use.

Being underweight is also risky to the voice.

A normal videostroboscopy examination of the vocal cords

Read patient stories about Dr. Reena Gupta from The Division of Voice at the Osborne Head and Neck Institute.

To learn more about Dr. Reena Gupta, click here.

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What can I replace my meal with?

Other meal alternatives that are just as easy include portable fruit (apples, bananas), 100% fruit juice, low-fat cheese, crackers, bagels, yogurts, peanut butter, nuts, dry cereal, graham crackers, cereal, or granola bars.

There is no doubt that a sit-down meal is the best approach to healthy weight loss. But in this fast-paced world of ours, even with the best intentions, there are times when sitting down for a meal is simply impossible. How do you stick to your eating plan when forced to eat on the run? Choosing a healthy meal replacement is a perfectly acceptable substitution, as long as it's only once in a while. The meal substitute you choose should be one that is nutritious, fills an empty stomach, and will not sabotage your weight-loss efforts. The trick is planning ahead and selecting the right kind of meal replacements that are chock full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy nutrients. The Evolution of 'Everybar' Nutrition bars and meal replacement drinks were initially targeted to the serious athlete who needed extra fuel for workouts. Today, these products have gone mainstream, targeted to anyone needing a nutritional boost. Shelf-stable bars and cans are easily stashed in a desk drawer, pocket, purse, or briefcase for quick meals. The array of choices is dizzying. These hot commodities fill huge amounts of shelf space in the gym, grocery, and health food stores, and there are literally hundreds of bars and meal-replacement drinks to choose from.

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