Whilst boasting impressive weight loss results, the Cambridge Weight Plan has come under scrutiny due to side effects of following a VLCD, or very low calorie diet. Can these side effects damage your health in the long term?
What is a VLCD?
A VLCD, or very-low calorie diet, is medically defined as being a diet where the individual consumes less than 800 calories per day. The recommended calorific intake per day for a woman is 2,000 and 2.500 for a man. As there are so few calories being consumed, it is recommended that the dieter drinks a lot of water and does not skip the meal replacements shakes and soups provided. The Cambridge Weight Plan products provide one third of a person's minerals, vitamins and calories for the day.
Are there any short-term side effects?
As with any diet where food groups are eliminated, there are withdrawal symptoms. With the Cambridge Weight Plan, dieters often suffer carbohydrate withdrawal for the first three days. The symptoms of this include headaches, nausea, irritability and cravings. Dieters can also to feel dizzy, weak or constipated as their body adjusts itself to such a low calorific intake.
Dieters may also experience euphoria or insomnia
Some dieters experience leg cramps due to changes in their sodium levels. These should improve after the first few weeks.
After about three to five days on the Sole Source programme, the dieter may notice that they are suffering from bad breath. This is because their body has gone into ketosis and is trying to expel ketones (the by-product of fat breakdown). Although not harmful, this can be unpleasant.
What About Long-Term Effects?
The main side effect, of course, is weight loss but with this come others. The individual may have folds of excess skin due to losing weight rapidly. Many women find that when their BMI returns to healthy levels, the menstrual cycle regulates and fertility increases. Hormones levels are effected by extreme or sudden weight loss and medication levels will need to reassessed as their rate of metabolism may increase.
As the body is only receiving a very limited number of calories per day, it does not produce enough energy to keep warm. Hence, most dieters find that they feel very cold all the time.
The dieter may also suffer hair loss. Whilst this is a sign of stress or malnutrition, it can also occur when the body has been deprived of calories for an extended period of time. The hair usually does regrow and may well come back thicker.
There is much speculation with regards to VLCDs sending the body into "starvation mode." This is when the body tries to burn up lean tissue, in addition to fat stores, as it is receiving too few calories. The result is the metabolic rate decreases and the lean tissue or muscles are depleted. Some people then gain weight again very quickly once they resume normal eating habits as the body wants to fill its fat stores in case of another "starvation."
Ultimately, it is down to the individual to decide whether a VLCD is for them. One should be aware of all the side effects and therefore be able to make an objective decision before starting on a course that could so dramatically affect their body.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources
Cambridge Weight Plan Side Effects
Weight Control Information Network
Peta Bicknell - I am a people-watcher and a voracious reader. I love learning about the world around me, and writing about the things I have ...
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