Have you ever heard of the VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet)? You may have heard it be called the 500 to 800 Calorie Diet. Well, this is a special diet thought to help with weight loss. Don’t worry, you’re sure to learn a lot about it in this article. So sit back, relax and enjoy the read.
What is the Very Low Calorie Diet?
The Very Low Calorie Diet is a diet which restricts your intake to 500-800 calories, often by swapping meals with smoothies or liquid shakes. It can help you lose 3-5 pounds per week, and one study by a group of scientists from Newcastle University suggests it may help reverse the effect of type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol. Not only that, it can also protect the heart! But is the Very Low Calorie Diet for everyone? You will learn the answer later in this article!
Does the Very Low Calorie Diet Help?
A Very Low Calorie Diet helps lower blood sugar and reduce insulin sensitivity, thus doubling fat loss in just a short amount of time. After the abovementioned findings of Newcastle University were published, scientists from Yale further researched the diet’s effect on type 2 diabetes. They discovered the following:
- VLCD helps reduce gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis is actually the biochemical pathway, that leads to sugar synthesis. Through the reduction of the gluconeogenesis, the body will be able to lower blood sugar levels and prevent the accumulation of excess sugar, which is often stored as fat.
- VLCD helps improve insulin sensitivity. Improved insulin sensitivity may help absorb glucose from our bloodstream and make use of it as n energy source. This may increase satiety, prevent weight gain and lower food intake.
- VLCD helps lower plasma glucose. Using Very Low Calorie Diet may help lower blood sugar. When the blood sugar levels are low, the cells are less likely to store the unused glucose as fat.
Ways a Very Low Calorie Diet Helps with Losing Weight
Here are the various ways in which a Very Low Calorie Diet aids in weight loss:
- Helps improve gut health. Substituting one to two meals a day may help improve gut health. It is beneficial in cleaning the colon, improving digestion. helping with absorption and relieving constipation. When the gut starts to function ordinarily, your metabolic rate will get a boost. This can help you convert extra calories into energy.
- Helps detoxify the body. Following a Very Low Calorie Diet will mean replacing solid meals with a liquid kind. The great thing about this is that the liquid may help detoxify the body due to its rich antioxidant properties.
- Helps you to consume healthier foods. Healthy foods that are cooked well are flavorful and rich in nutrients. They also keep the calorie consumption low, aiding in weight loss without compromising your health.
- Low calorie intake. As its name suggests, a Very Low Calorie Diet is very low in calories. If you consume fewer calories, you reduce your chance of storing excess calories, thus leading to weight loss.
It is very clear that the Very Low Calorie Diet is beneficial. Nevertheless, is it really for everyone? Continue reading to find out!
Who Should Follow the Very Low Calorie Diet?
The Very Low Calorie Diet isn’t for everyone. It must be done under the supervision of a specialist. You can only do it if you meet the following qualifications:
- Your obesity’s life-threatening.
- Your body mass index is above 30.
- You’re not capable of losing weight any further.
- You have already started a diet, following a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly.
You now know what you need to about the effects of the Very Low Calorie Diet for weight loss. Talk to your specialist before you start following this diet and lead a happy and stress-free life!
