Very low calorie diet

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Very low calorie diet (VLCD) is a diet with very or extremely low calorie consumption per day. It is defined medically as a diet of 800 calories per day or less. VLCDs are formulated, nutritionally complete, liquid meals containing 3350 kJ (800 kcal) or less per day. VLCDs also contain the recommended daily requirements for vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fatty acids and protein. The VLCD products are usually a powder which is mixed with water or another low calorie liquid.

Because of the extremely low calories per day, a VLCD diet cannot be used by children no matter how obese.

A VLCD should never be undertaken without medical supervision.^{[citation needed]}

1 Health effects
- 1.1 Health benefits
- 1.2 Adverse effects
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Health effects

[edit] Health benefits

A 1997 study concludes that the short-term use of a VLCD is very effective in rapidly improving glycaemic control and promoting substantial weight loss in obese patients with Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, a VLCD increases insulin sensitivity and reduces the substrate for gluconeogenesis. Thus VLCD treatment may improve glycaemic control more than calorie restriction alone.^[1]

[edit] Adverse effects

The risk of gallbladder disease is greatly increased for individuals following a VLCD.^[2]

A slowing of one's metabolism can occur as your body adapts so the brain and central nervous system, as well as other bodily systems, will cease to work optimally.^{[citation needed]}

The body will break down fat, but it will also break down muscle and other lean body tissue which can be very dangerous.^{[citation needed]}

An imbalance in minerals and electrolytes can occur. Osteoporosis can be another danger, especially for women as can anaemia (a lack of iron in the blood). If taken to extremes, women can find that menstruation (periods) becomes irregular or stops altogether. A lack of serotonin in the brain can lead to clinical depression. The lack of essential nutrients on a very low calorie diet leads to a deterioration in the condition of hair and nails.^{[citation needed]}

Another potential side effect is constipation (depends on the fibre content of the diet).^[3]

A VLCD is likely to set-up a dangerous and damaging effect should the diet be abandoned at a later stage, which has a high tendency of happening to the most well-intentioned of people.^[4]