Eating Disorders Blog

A new diet regimen that allows only 500 calories per day is sweeping Britain and leaving massive problems in its wake. LighterLife is estimated to have approximately 15,000 followers in Britain even though it has been linked to memory loss, heart attacks, anorexia, and even death. The regimen, which consists of "carefully balanced" nutritional shakes and health bars is dangerously effective at achieving weight loss, but followers of the diet may get more than they bargain for.

One dieter was referred to a neurologist for health problems she experienced while on the diet. When she explained the regimen to the neurologist, he said he was shocked the diet was even legal. Consuming less than 800 calories per day can cause serious damage to the central nervous system. One LighterLife follower has already died from heart complications. The diet company denies culpability, but experts believe the too-rapid weight loss decreased lean muscle in the young woman's heart and made her vulnerable to cardiac arrest.

Leading obesity expert Professor John Garrow was interviewed for an article about the diet that appeared this week in the U.K.'s Daily Mail. According to Professor Garrow, "Studies show semi-starvation diets deplete the protein and muscle of internal organs, resulting in an increase of heart arrhythmias among obese people following them." (Source: dailymail.co.uk)

Posted By: jgarcia