Possible side effects of significant weight
loss
Because over 40 serious health conditions are
linked to obesity, even losing approximately 5 -10% of body weight
can have a significant beneficial impact.
Most side effects caused by weight loss are
temporary and many are associated with insufficient hydration.
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Constipation
Ensure adequate fluid intake and suggest use of a bulking agent.
LighterLife Drink Mixes and Fibre Mix contain soluble
fibre (inulin or fructo-oligosaccharide) which is beneficial
in some individuals to prevent constipation. Maltitol is known to
have a laxative effect in some individuals, therefore some patients
may benefit from choosing a LighterLife bar (toffee, fruit or lemon
flavours) which contains maltitol as one of their daily
Foodpacks.
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Cramps
Cramps can be experienced because of shifts in muscle glycogen and
sodium. Remaining well hydrated will minimise the symptoms. Some
patients may benefit from adding small amounts of salt to their
LighterLife soups.
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Diarrhoea and nausea
The concentrated mineral content of LighterLife Total Balance
Foodpacks can sometimes cause diarrhoea or nausea in the first few
days. Some patients may benefit from having a glass of water
before and after taking the Foodpack, or halving the Foodpacks so
that eight small portions are taken a day.
Maltitol is known to have a laxative effect in some individuals,
therefore some patients shouldn’t choose LighterLife bars
containing maltitol (lemon, toffee, fruit).
LighterLife Drink Mixes contain inulin or fructo-oligosaccharide,
which may cause gastrointestinal disturbance.
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Fatigue
Some patients may feel fatigue while on a VLCD. This can improve if
ketosis becomes fully established.
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Feeling cold
The slight reduction in metabolic rate which happens during rapid
weight loss may result in patients feeling cold, particularly
in hands and feet. This is usually temporary.
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Gallstones
Obesity and dieting are known risk factors for cholelithiasis and
any weight loss increases that risk. To mitigate this increased
risk, it’s recommended that a VLCD or LCD should provide a minimum
of 7g of fat per day. LighterLife Total provides an average of
15.9g fat per day and LighterLife Lite provides an average of 11.9g
per day from three Foodpacks, with additional intake from the
conventional meal.
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Gout
If a patient has a history of gout, losing weight can
induce an attack. Prophylactic treatment with Allopurinol is
advised.
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Hair shedding
A small number of patients may experience excessive hair shedding
(greater than 30%). For some, this may only begin once they return
to a conventional diet. Patients may need reassuring that excessive
hair shedding due to weight loss is a temporary adaptive
response.
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Halitosis
Drinking sufficient water throughout the day helps to flush ketones
out of the body before they have time to break down into acetone,
which is excreted in the breath and can cause halitosis.
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Headaches
When they commence a VLCD or LCD, some patients may develop a
headache due to carbohydrate or caffeine withdrawal. This is a
temporary effect. A headache may also be due to dehydration.
Patients should remain well hydrated.
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Hunger
Ketosis is associated with appetite suppression, so hunger
normally subsides if the patient goes into ketosis.
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Hypotension
A participant may become hypotensive due to rapid weight loss or a
reduced blood volume caused by dehydration. We advise regular
monitoring of patients on hypotensive and diuretic medication
and adjustment as appropriate.
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Irregular menses
Some women can experience a disturbance in their menstrual cycle.
For some, menstrual flow will cease; for others, it will increase.
This is a temporary, hormonal, adaptive response.