Very-low-calorie diet

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Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)[edit | edit source]

A Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD), sometimes referred to as a starvation diet, is a diet characterized by extremely low daily food energy intake. It is typically defined as a diet that provides 800 to 1200 calories per day or less.

Definition and Overview[edit | edit source]

VLCDs are specially formulated, nutritionally complete, liquid meals containing no more than 800 kilocalories per day. These diets are designed to provide all the necessary nutrients required for a healthy daily intake, including vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fatty acids, and protein.

A typical VLCD meal replacement

Composition[edit | edit source]

The composition of a VLCD can vary. Carbohydrates may be significantly reduced or entirely absent, with a corresponding increase in the proportion of protein in the diet. This adjustment in macronutrients has notable metabolic effects.

Health Considerations[edit | edit source]

VLCDs are generally used under medical supervision to ensure that the individual's nutritional and health needs are met. They are often a temporary measure for rapid weight loss in people with specific health conditions.

Benefits[edit | edit source]

  • Rapid weight loss
  • Improved control of conditions such as diabetes

Risks[edit | edit source]

  • Potential nutrient deficiencies
  • Metabolic complications
  • Requires medical supervision

Indications[edit | edit source]

A VLCD is typically undertaken by an obese patient who wishes to lose a lot of weight quickly, as the risk to health that obesity presents is considered much greater than any risks of the diet itself, so long as it is undertaken with medical supervision.

Health effects[edit | edit source]

  • VLCDs have been shown to be more effective than behavioral weight loss programs, achieving approximately 4 kg more weight loss at 1 year.
  • Another potential side effect is constipation (depending on the fiber content of the diet).

See also[edit | edit source]

Usage in Medical Settings[edit | edit source]

VLCDs are often used in medical settings for obese patients needing rapid weight loss for specific health reasons, such as before undergoing surgery.

External Links[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Very-low-calorie diet Resources
Wikipedia
Diets
Dieting Diet - Cuisine - Dietitian - Hunger - Leptin - Meal - Nutrition - Obesity : Staple food
Types Ketogenic diet - Low carbohydrate diet - Weight loss diet
  By food ingredients Omnivore - Entomophagy - Pescetarian - Plant-based
Regional diets Western - Mediterranean - Sustainable diets - Low carbon - Planetary
Religious diets Buddhist - Christian - Hindu - Islamic - Jain - Jewish - Rastafari - Sikh
 Vegetarianism and veganism   Dried fruit - Fruitarianism - Meat analogue - Milk substitute - Raw vegan - Tofu - Semi-vegetarianism
Supplement diets Bodybuilding supplements  - Meal replacement - Therapeutic food - Non-solid diets - Liquid diets - Very-low-calorie diet
Misc.topics Food pyramid - Fruits & Veggies – More Matters - Healthy eating pyramid - Latin American Diet Pyramid - French paradox - Mediterranean Diet Pyramid - MyPlate - MyPyramid - Vegetarian Diet Pyramid

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