High-Protein Liquid Diet

Many people use high protein liquid diets as a means of quick, rapid weight loss. Weight loss clinics have used high protein liquids diets since the 1970s to help obese individuals lose weight. High protein liquid diets are not recommended by the medical community, however, due to surmounting evidence showing it causes physical and mental harm.

Features

• High protein liquid diets only allow dieters to drink high protein liquid shakes to lose weight. It is very low in calories; on average, dieters consume 800 calories per day.

Significance

• High protein liquid diets are used for weight loss purposes. Physicians also prescribe it to patients before undergoing certain surgeries, including stomach and bowel surgeries.

Time Frame

• Liquid diets last from 3 days to 2 weeks. Many physicians do not recommend dieting over 2 weeks, due to the increased risk of developing ketosis.

Effects

• People on high protein liquid diets experience rapid weight loss. Other effects include dizziness, fainting, dehydration and heart palpitations.

Theories/Speculation

• Alternative health practitioners believe high protein liquid diets clean out the colon, removing toxins from the body. These claims are not supported by the medical community, however.