pounds, or are experiencing significant complications
from obesity. The Optifast diet can present significant
health risks for people for whom it is not indented. The
Optifast diet is not appropriate for pregnant orbreast-
feedingwomen.Risks
There are possible risks for any diet, but the risks
associated with a very-low calorie diet can be more
serious. Optifast is designed to be a complete replace-
ment for all meals, so it contains the daily recom-
mended amounts of vitamins andminerals.However,
because these recommendations are made for the aver-
age, healthy adult, they are not necessarily right for
everyone. Because severe obesity has many common
complications, daily requirements of vitamins and
nutrients should be considered carefully for each per-
son thinking of beginning the Optifast diet.
Another risk of following a very-low calorie diet is
an increased risk of gallstone formation.Gallstones
are more likely to occur in women than men, and are
more likely to occur during rapid weight loss or when
following a very-low calorie diet such as Optifast.
Other side effects of a very-low calorie diet can include
nausea, fatigue,constipation, or diarrhea. In most
cases these problems resolve in a few weeks and are
not very severe.
Whenever a person loses a very large amount of
weight in a very short time there are certain risks.
Many medication dosages are prescribed based on a
person’s weight. Therefore what might be the right
amount of medication when beginning the Optifast
diet may be too much only a few weeks later when
weight has been lost. In some cases this may cause an
overdose. This is one of many reasons that it is critical
to be under medical supervision during the Optifast
diet, so medications can be adjusted appropriately as
weight is lost.Research and general acceptance
Optifast has been used in many studies investigat-
ing the impact of very-low calorie diets. It has not been
studied intensely in relation to other similar very-low
calorie diets. It has been shown to have many positive
outcomes, such as lowered cholesterol levels and
reduced risks of cardiovascular disease. It has also
been shown that in patients who are going to undergo
laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (a procedure
in which a band is placed around the upper part of the
stomach causing patients to feel full with less food)
following the Optifast diet for 6 weeks prior to the
procedure can reduce liver size and fat content, allow-ing surgeons better access and reducing the possibility
of complications.
Although there are many documented benefits to
the Optifast diet, there are some people who suggest
there may be other, more beneficial diets with fewer
possible negative side effects. It has been shown that
very-low calorie diets such as Optifast are not any
more effective at keeping weight off in the long run
than more traditional diets. This suggests that for
some people the risks and benefits of a very-low calo-
rie diet should be assessed in regard to the long term
effects, and not just the speed of original weight loss.
Another reason that some people may prefer more
traditional diets is that the Optifast diet can be pro-
hibitively expensive. The diet can cost upwards of
$2,000, depending on the clinic at which it is adminis-
tered and how long the active weight loss and transi-
tion phases last.Resources
BOOKS
Shannon, Joyce Brennfleck ed.Diet and Nutrition Source-
book.Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2006.
Willis, Alicia P. ed.Diet Therapy Research Trends.New
York: Nova Science, 2007.
PERIODICALS
Kanders, BS, et al. ‘‘Weight Loss Outcome and Health
Benefits Associated with the Optifast Program in the
Treatment of Obesity.’’International Journal of Obesity
(1989)13, Supplement 2: 131-4.
Agras, W. Stewart, et al. ‘‘Maintenance Following a Very-
Low-Calorie Diet.’’Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology(June 1997) 64,3: 610-613.QUESTIONS TO ASK THE
DOCTOR Do the possible benefits of this diet outweigh the
possible risks?
Is a very-low calorie diet right for me?
What kind of support is available to help me
maintain my weight loss?
What kind of psychological support is available
to me while on this diet?
Do I have any special dietary needs that this diet
might not meet?
Does this diet pose any special risks for me?
Are there any sign or symptoms that might
indicate a problem while on this diet?Optifast