What is the Optifast Diet?
The Optifast Diet is a liquid-based diet developed by the Novartis Medical Nutrition Company, headquartered in Switzerland. When the Optifast Diet went on the market in 1974 it was the first commercially available all liquid very low calorie diet monitored by physicians.
The Optifast Diet is designed for very obese people between the ages of 20 and 50. People who are at least 50 pounds overweight or have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or above benefit most from the diet. The Optifast Diet is often appropriate for people who have obesity-related health problems. According to the Optifast website, the typical weight loss is 52 pounds in 22 weeks.
The updated version of the Optifast Diet typically lasts 18 weeks, but can last longer. Dieters consume Optifast meal replacement drinks and bars exclusively during the four to six weeks of the active weight loss phase. For most Optifast dieters, five daily 160-calorie meal replacements (for a total of 800 calories) provide the recommended daily allowance of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, protein, and other nutrients.
A separate line of Optifast products helps obese people prepare for bariatric surgery. Optifast also has a separate product line for very obese teenagers.
How the Optifast Diet Works
Before being accepted into the Optifast Diet, you meet with a physician for a medical examination. At that time the doctor will evaluate whether or not you are a good candidate for the Optifast Diet. Novartis trains doctors and other healthcare providers who provide monitoring and support for Optifast dieters.
Once accepted into the program, you meet with a physician at least once a week to monitor your health and your weight loss. The physician may order lab tests or make changes in the diet. The physician may also consult with the your primary care physician.
As part of the program, you meet weekly in groups with other dieters and with trained psychotherapists and/or nutritionists to discuss any difficulties you are having with the diet and to learn new eating habits. Groups also provide opportunities for peer support with fellow dieters.
After the four- to six-week weight loss phase, you enter the transition phase during which you start replacing the Optifast meals with solid food. You work with nutritionists or dietitians to learn how to choose healthy foods. You continue your weekly doctor visits and group sessions for another four to six weeks.
During the maintenance phase of the Optifast Diet you practice the healthy eating habits you learned during the active part of the diet. You also get involved with regular exercise through a customized exercise plan that considers your current fitness and activity level.
The experiences of people who have followed the Optifast Diet vary considerably in terms of how difficult or easy the diet is to follow. Some find it very difficult to stick to such a restricted diet, while others appreciate the ease that comes with not having to make food choices.
Benefits of the Optifast Diet
Support and counselling, both of which have been shown to be important elements of successful weight loss plans, are integral parts of the Optifast Diet. Behavior modification to improve eating habits is also integrated into the program.
Diet regimes are tailored to each individual. The only way to participate in an Optifast Diet is through a medically supervised program. No one can participate in an Optifast Diet without medical monitoring.
Trained health care providers monitor the health and progress of each Optifast dieter throughout the program. Physicians must follow strict medical guidelines. Every prospective dieter receives a thorough medical examination to evaluate his or her medical fitness for the diet. Personalized weight plans consider the medical status, current weight, and weight loss goals of each individual dieter.
The Optifast Diet helps prepare patients for bariatric surgery, resulting in a reduced risk of complications during surgery, reduced recovery time, and increased weight loss during the 12 months post-surgery.
Numerous clinical trials have shown the Optifast Diet to be an effective weight-loss diet. Studies have shown people have lowered their cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels and reduced their risk of heart disease as a result of losing weight on the Optifast Diet.
Concerns about the Optifast Diet
The cost of the Optifast Diet may be prohibitive for many people who could benefit from it. Meal replacements cost about $125 to $150 per week, for a total cost of $2,000 or more, depending on where the diet is administered and how long the active weight lose phase lasts. Insurance plans may cover some of the costs of the diet.
At 800 calories per day, Optifast is a very low calorie diet, or VLCD. VLCDs have risks, including an increased risk of gallstones. A VLCD can cause the body’s metabolism to slow down. Nausea, fatigue, constipation, and/or diarrhea may occur, but they are typically short-lived and not severe.
Fast weight loss has its risks, particularly for people with other health issues. One concern is the need to change the dosage of prescription medications for very obese people who lose weight quickly.
While Optifast meal replacements provide the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) of necessary nutrients, they may not meet the dietary needs of each individual dieter. RDAs are designed for people of average weight; obese people may have different nutritional needs.
The official Optifast Diet website states that weight loss may be temporary. In fact, research has shown dieters who follow VLCDs are no more likely to keep the weight off than dieters who use more traditional weight loss methods.
Before You Start
If you think the Optifast Diet might be a good choice for you, consult your personal physician before you start. He or she knows your health history, and may have suggestions or concerns to consider before you embark on the Optifast Diet.