I will have to look that one up and get back with you. "Severe" weight loss of any kind can be dangerous... it depends on how fast you loss the weight that is most important. That is why they say 2-3 lbs per week is good usually. Anything more than that for most people is likely muscle loss. The hypothalamus controls your breathing, temperature, thirst and the like. Not sure how it is effected by wt loss.
Edit:
Here is some info on the Hypothalamus: "Severe wt loss" would likely cause trouble by the hypothalamus struggling to "reset" itself. It could cause electrolyte imbalance, that would be the biggest danger that I see. Just be healthy in the way that you take off the weight and you should not have anything to worry about.
What is the Hypothalamus? Located beneath the thalamus region of the brain, the cherry-sized hypothalamus is responsible for regulating the metabolic process (among a plethora of other functions). The hypothalamus contains several groups of nerve cells which have the ability to impact emotions, regulate body temperature, motivate sexual behavior as well as control blood pressure- in addition to influencing an army of other body functions as referenced above. The hypothalamus in regards to human body weight:The hypothalamus contains a leptin-sensitive neutral network which works to regulate body weight and is highly effective in assuring that the body is supplied with the levels of energy necessary for survival. Leptin (a hormone) receptors are also located in several other areas within the body, including: taste receptor cells, nucleus accumbens, the thalamus and the caudal brainstem. A couple of notes regarding leptin: - Several new's agencies have reported that the hormone leptin found in mother's milk might be a key factor in body weight control. - At one point, leptin treatments were hoped to be a key to preventing or reversing obesity but much controversy exists.The hypothalamus is also involved in signaling when the tummy is full, but the time it takes from fork-to-mouth to feeling full takes about 20 minutes for most individuals. Many diet supplements focus on shortening this span to target weight loss. For example, some hoodia gordonii suppliers claim that the dietary supplement is so powerful that it fools the brain into believing it is full prior to eating. No 20 minute wait. Recap: Functions Related to the Hypothalamus & Weight Loss- the hypothalamus controls hunger;
- the hypothalamus controls thirst;
- levels of satiety (feeling of fullness) are also controlled by the hypothalamus
- the hypothalamus in involved in salt cravings (when sodium levels are too high within the body, the hypothalamus sends a signal to drink fluids);
- fluid & electrolyte balance are control by the hypothalamus;
- body weight is controlled by the hypothalamus.