Cambridge Diet Side Effects

Cambridge diet is a very low calorie diet or VLCD, that was developed way back in the year 1970, by Dr. Alan Howard of Cambridge University, United Kingdom. The diet was developed to ensure rapid weight loss in morbidly obese people, by severely restricting the total calorie intake. The followers of Cambridge diet need to follow a diet of 400 to 800 calories per day, till they meet their weight loss goal. The diet became quite popular in United Kingdom during the 80s. But, in the subsequent period, it faced criticism from the health authorities for some potential health problems that can arise with such a low calorie diet. However, in recent times, the diet has been modified and made less severe, for which some can even comply with the guidelines of the relevant health authorities.

Understanding the Concept of Cambridge Diet

It is usually recommended for morbidly obese people with a body mass index of more than 25. Such individuals need to stick to a basically liquid-based, very low calorie diet of 400 to 800 calories per day, during the weight loss program. The foremost advantage of this diet is a rapid loss of body weight. Besides this, the individuals following this diet can experience weight loss without exercising. But, such a low diet can result in significant loss of essential nutrients, for which it is combined with supplements of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids. The diet usually includes low calorie shakes, soups, porridge and meal replacement bars. When the body does not receive enough calories or nutrition it starts using the stored fats to produce energy, and the Cambridge diet claims to work by stimulating this fat burning process, which is known as 'ketosis'.

Cambridge Diet Dangers

The medical community has always expressed their apprehensions for very low calorie diets like, Cambridge diet. As has been mentioned already, such a low calorie diet cannot provide the required amount of the essential nutrients and therefore it can cause several side effects. However, Cambridge diet incorporates supplements of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to minimize the loss of essential nutrients. But, many feel that certain essential nutrients can still be lost, as a result of such severe restrictions on total calorie intake. Additionally, the process ketosis, on which the Cambridge diet relies can, not only cause rapid burning of fats, but muscles as well. This is another issue, for which the diet is not considered as a healthy diet by the many medical professionals.

The modern version of Cambridge diet however, has been modified as compared to the original one and is considered to be less severe. But still, dietary restrictions can give rise to a number of side effects, which are usually temporary in nature. Again, all individuals may not experience the side effects. Its most commonly reported side effects are, headache, nausea, dizziness, bad breath, constipation, diarrhea and temporary hair loss. Headaches and dizziness are usually caused by dehydration, which can be alleviated by increasing fluid intake. Increasing the fluid intake can also prove helpful for constipation. Bad breath or halitosis mainly occurs due to the increase in the level of ketone, which is the byproduct generated in the fat burning process or 'ketosis'. Apart from these side effects, one can experience temporary weakness, due to low calorie intake.

It is usually not considered ideal for those people who suffer from heart problems and eating disorders. Even people who do not have any major medical problem should start the diet only after consulting a diet counselor and a physician. Generally, one can start this diet only after consulting an approved Cambridge Diet counselor. The diet that would be suggested by the counselor would depend on how much weight you want to lose and how rapidly. On the basis of these issues, the counselor will suggest the diet that will be right for you. While following the diet, you may experience a few of the above mentioned side effects for some time. But, if these side effects persist for a prolonged time period, or become severe, then be sure to immediately contact the Cambridge diet counselor and your physician.