Very low-calorie diet

Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) is a diet that involves consuming less than 800 calories per day. These diets are often used to help obese individuals lose weight quickly, or as a preparation for bariatric surgery.

Overview

A VLCD is a medically supervised diet that is typically used to help severely or morbidly obese individuals lose weight. It is also used in preparation for bariatric surgery, to reduce the risk of complications. The diet usually involves replacing normal food with low-calorie shakes, soups, bars, or porridge containing milk.

Risks

VLCDs are not suitable for everyone. They can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, and hair loss. Long-term use of VLCDs can lead to serious complications, such as gallstones and heart problems. Therefore, VLCDs should only be followed under medical supervision.

Effectiveness

VLCDs can be effective for short-term weight loss. However, maintaining the weight loss over the long term can be challenging. Many people regain the weight they lost once they return to their normal eating habits.

See Also

• Weight loss
• Obesity
• Bariatric surgery
• Dieting

References

Very low-calorie diet Resources
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