It only makes sense that a diet where you eat very little calories would be the answer to weight loss, but it is a good idea to do a little research before you begin. These type of diets can be effective if you're careful, and preferably under a doctor's supervision, but they aren't healthy for everyone. In this editorial, we hope to uncover all of the facts about these extremely low calorie weight loss programs; both the positive and the negative.

Very low calorie diets are deemed to be unhealthy by some experts, but there's another opinion out there and some people reckon they're the key to a long life. It's claimed, based on one theory that has research mainly done on animals, that you can slow the aging process down and prevent a number of diseases by cutting your calorie intake severely. Because they believe that they will live longer, people who believe this view will go on a very low calorie diet regardless of whether they're overweight or not. The Calorie Restriction Society is an organization that's dedicated to this practice. Thus far there hasn't been any research done on humans to try and prove or disprove the theory in question, but it is worth looking into further. Medifast is the name of a very well known diet plan that has proven to be useful in assisting people to lose some weight. To ensure that the users of this program don't go over the calorie restrictions put in place, they are supplied with meal replacement products. When on this diet you must eat the meals given to you by Medifast, however there's a bit of variety given as the meals include lean means, vegetables, eggs and there are even desserts, like puddings. Medifast is very close to being a very low calorie diet, but it isn't one technically due to it allowing a calorie intake of 800 to 1000 calories, which is slightly over the usual 800 calories of a very low calorie diet. One excellent advantage of the Medifast diet is that your essential intake of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients are all included, so you will not be deficient in anything, whereas if you cut your calories yourself this may not be the case.

There are serious drawbacks to very low calorie diets when it comes to overall fitness. As you are restricting your calorie intake greatly you will burn fat and muscle which can be very unhealthy. Because everything is reduced in this diet so is dairy and calcium which can increase risk of osteoporosis for women. You may find it difficult to work out to keep your muscle mass up while you are on this diet because of the lack of energy. Anemia is another risk to be aware of. You should not consider a very low calorie diet if you are average weight, but if your health is threatened by your weight then it may be a good idea.

Whilst very low calorie diets can certainly be good for short term weight loss, their long term benefits are questionable. This type of diet might be right for somebody who is obese and under the supervision of a doctor. However for other people it's important that they get the right amount of nutrients for their body. After all, you don't just want to lose weight, you want to stay healthy too.

Santos Crumrine is a well-known author, He has been writing different blogs on different topics like health,nutrition,supplements etc .Checkout his article on exfuzeaccomplishment and on ardyssproblems