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What Is Liquid Protein?

Liquid protein is part of a very low-calorie diet plan that was first publicized in the 1970s. The plan requires a prescription, lasts 20 weeks and involves consuming powdered protein formula dissolved in water.

  1. Potential

    • According to the plan, dieters should be able to lose 60 pounds in the 20 week period.

    History

    • In 1976, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlawed liquid protein diets due to missing amino acids and complex proteins that resulted in over 50 deaths. Several companies added the necessary ingredients and increased the amount of vitamins and minerals in liquid protein formulas as early as 1981.

    Famous Ties

    • Oprah Winfrey brought renewed attention to the diet after successfully shedding more than 60 pounds.

    Expert Insight

    • Some medical professionals such as Dr. Johanna Dwyer of the Nutritional Clinic of New England have cautioned that the diet plan should be carefully monitored and is "not a permanent solution."

    Considerations

    • In 2008, some hospitals began developing and administering their own liquid protein formulas. Many have adopted liquid protein formulas into cleansing, liquid-only diets that last only a day or few days before retuning to a conventional diet.

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