The Hidden Cost of Cutting Weight Alone: Why Nutrition Coaching Is Essential for Combat Athletes

Every combat athlete understands the pressure of “making weight.” Yet too many approach it through extreme methods — severe dehydration, starvation, and rapid restriction — all in the name of hitting a number on the scale.

As a Board-Accredited Naturopathic Practitioner and Certified Nutrition Coach for Combat Athletes, I can tell you with confidence that cutting weight without professional guidance doesn’t just harm performance; it can cause real physiological damage to the body, muscles, and organs that fighters depend on.

What Really Happens to the Body During a Weight Cut

When a fighter cuts weight without a structured, science-based plan, the body is forced into a state of stress and imbalance. Glycogen stores are depleted, electrolytes are disrupted, and water is drawn from muscle tissue and vital organs in an attempt to maintain balance.

This cascade can lead to:

• Loss of muscle strength and endurance

• Slower reaction times and reduced focus

• Compromised liver and kidney function

• Hormonal imbalances affecting testosterone, cortisol, and thyroid levels

• Increased fatigue and cognitive decline

The body that an athlete has conditioned for months to perform at peak ability is suddenly operating in survival mode — and that becomes evident on fight day.

The Illusion of a “Successful” Cut

Making weight is not the same as being fight-ready.
Rapid dehydration and electrolyte loss cause a decrease in plasma volume, reducing oxygen delivery to the muscles. The result is faster fatigue, slower recovery between rounds, and a noticeable drop in explosiveness and endurance.

Many fighters believe they’ve succeeded if they meet the scale requirement, but an improperly managed cut can mean stepping into the cage or on the mat with a body that is depleted, inflamed, and performing far below its potential.

The Naturopathic Advantage: Fuel, Don’t Punish

My approach as a naturopathic practitioner focuses on optimizing the body — not punishing it. Each athlete’s physiology is unique, and that individuality must guide their nutrition, hydration, and supplementation protocols.

Through a holistic and evidence-based process, I help fighters cut weight by targeting fat loss while protecting lean muscle, organ health, and hormonal balance. The objective is not merely to make weight but to arrive at fight day strong, stable, and fully functional.

Science Meets Strategy: The Value of Professional Guidance

When an athlete works with a professional trained in both naturopathic health and combat performance, the process is precise, data-driven, and safe. A well-constructed plan takes into account:

• Basal metabolic rate and total energy expenditure

• Training intensity and recovery requirements

• Hydration status and electrolyte balance

• Organ and hormonal support

• Refeed and rehydration strategies post-weigh-in

This is not about following a generic meal plan — it’s about implementing a performance-specific blueprint that preserves strength, sharpens endurance, and safeguards long-term health.

The Long-Term Consequences of Cutting Alone

Unsupervised weight cuts have long-term consequences that extend beyond a single camp. Chronic dehydration, repeated electrolyte imbalance, and caloric deprivation can lead to kidney strain, hormonal suppression, digestive dysfunction, and lasting metabolic slowdown.

Fighters who cut without guidance often find themselves trapped in a cycle of exhaustion, diminished recovery, and worsening performance — outcomes that are entirely preventable with proper support.

If you wouldn’t enter a fight without your coach, you shouldn’t approach a cut without professional direction either.

Why Fighters Work With Me

My background as a Board-Accredited Naturopathic Practitioner and Certified Nutrition Coach for Combat Athletes allows me to integrate both clinical understanding and real-world fight preparation. I work directly alongside Black Hole BJJ & MMA Head Coach, 4th Degree BJJ Black Belt, & Professional BJJ Competitor Mike “The Wizard” Wacker to create customized strategies that support safe cuts, efficient recovery, and optimized fight-day performance.

Every plan is built around the fighter’s unique demands — physiology, schedule, weight class, and long-term goals. The result is a balanced approach that builds strength, preserves muscle, and protects overall health.

Final Thoughts

Weight cutting is not inherently dangerous — it’s the method that determines the outcome.
When managed correctly, it can enhance strength-to-weight ratio, improve conditioning, and sharpen focus. When done carelessly, it can compromise the very foundation of performance and long-term health.

The difference lies in working with a practitioner who understands both the science of the body and the art of combat performance.

If you are a fighter serious about longevity, power, and precision, it’s time to stop guessing and start fueling strategically.
Your body is your weapon — and it deserves to be treated as such.

Written by:
Susan Dukarm
Board-Accredited Naturopathic Practitioner
Certified Nutrition Coach for Combat Athletes
Founder, Dukes Nutrition & Wellness