Rapid weight loss good as motivator, etc.

Interesting abstract I came across in PubMed.

I'm not saying that a rapid weight loss is desirable for most people,
but the following research shows that a good case can be made for it.
(Also that it clearly is not the uniformly terrible situation that
some might argue.)

In addition, the following article notes one of the preventive
treatments for gallstones -- a teaspoon of vegetable oil

The article also agrees with some of the points I made regarding the
motivational aspects of a more rapid weight loss.

Any comments?

Yours,

Caleb



Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006;15 Suppl:49-54. Links
State of the science: VLED (Very Low Energy Diet) for obesity.

* Delbridge E,
* Proietto J.

University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine(AH/NH),
Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3081, Australia,
.

It is often stated, "the faster you lose weight, the faster it is
regained ". A review of existing literature does not support such a
statement--indeed if anything the reverse is true. The origins of this
erroneous view are the misconceptions that weight regain is a simple
matter of bad dietary and social habits and that it takes time to
change these, that physiological adaptations to rapid weight loss are
different to those of gradual weight loss and that weight regain is
simply due to a return to old habits. Indeed there are many advantages
to rapid weight loss achieved with the use of a modern very low energy
diet, including the fact that rapid weight loss is a motivating
factor, that the mild ketosis that occurs not only suppresses hunger,
but also slows protein loss and that adherence is easier with a
structured dietary regime. VLEDs are dietary preparations that provide
all nutritional requirements together with between 1845 and 3280 KJ
(450 and 800 Kcal) per day. An individual takes this meal replacement
three times daily as a substitute for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In
addition, a bowl of non-starchy vegetables once daily provides some
fibre and helps to satisfy the social aspect of eating. A teaspoon of
oil on the vegetables contracts the gall bladder to minimise the risk
of gall stone formation. Since weight loss, at whatever rate, results
in physiological adaptations leading to weight regain, careful
attention must be paid to the period after the VLED regime is
completed. Lifestyle modification, diet and exercise are instituted
optimally with behaviour modification. If, despite the subject's best
efforts, weight regain occurs, an appetite suppressant is advisable to
help control the drive to eat.

PMID: 16928661 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]