Very Low Calorie Diets: the Ultimate Step to Weight loss

Very low calorie diet, more commonly referred to as VLCD is a kind of diet that allows minimal intake of calories in a given day. Medically defined as a diet that allows around 800 kilocalories to be consumed on a given day, it is essentially made up of nutrient rich liquid meals, and is designed for obese adults who wish to lose weight at a very fast rate.

Do remember that this is a short-term program and can be continued for only about three to six months, and that too under strict medical supervision.

Strict medical supervision is essential in order to ensure proper nutrition, and see to the fact that only the deserving candidates are allowed to go through this procedure as well as to monitor the progress caused by very low calorie products.

Although these VLCD products are rich in the essential nutrients like vitamin, minerals proteins, and fatty acids, carbohydrates may be excluded completely from these VLCD products.

Changes that may take while you are on VLCD products

* The BMR would slow down. The metabolism would slow down in order to conserve energy as the body presumes you to be starving,

* Proteins would be broken up: the body would break up the available proteins in order to get the required carbohydrates.

* Significant loss of fat: about half of the lost weight is made up of fat while the other half comprises of the lean tissues like muscle.

* Loss of calcium: it tends to be comparatively more risky for women as this may cause among women, a fatal ailment known by the name of osteoporosis.

Benefits of Very Low calorie Diet or VLCD

VLCD helps an individual of severe or moderate obesity to lose weight of around 3 to 5 pounds over a single week.

Total weight loss in about 12 weeks is to be around 44 pounds. This kind of weight loss in such short period can bring an improvement in a number of obesity related serious medical conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

Weight loss that has been achieved in such a short period usually proves to be extremely motivating for patients.

It usually brings in a change in their life style as they lose around 15 to 20% of their initial body mass in the first three to six months.

Maintenance of around 5% weight loss can be guaranteed even after 4 years if they succeed in maintaining healthy eating habits and continue with their physical exercise regime faithfully.



Adverse effects associated with usage of VLCD products

A number of patients who are using VLCD products tend to suffer from a number of side effects like nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, or constipation.

These side effects generally do not continue for a very long period and hence does not prevent patients from continuing with the slimming program.

Gallstones may also develop during this period of weight loss. Formation of gallstones is the most serious problem associated with VLCD, but there are a number of medications available that can control this condition.

Conclusion

Although VLCD is extremely helpful in losing weight rapidly, it is advisable to make use of it only if your BMI is more than 30 and it is to be done under strict medical supervision in order to avoid any adversities.

  

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