Losing weight can be a challenging journey, and many individuals seek support through guided programs. Medi-Weight Loss Programs are among those that offer structured plans to aid in weight loss and maintenance. This article delves into the details of the Medi-Weight Loss program, its effectiveness, potential side effects, and also explores the broader landscape of weight loss medications and supplements.
What is the Medi-Weight Loss Program?
The Medi-Weight Loss Program aims to assist individuals in losing weight and maintaining that loss over the long term. Entrepreneur Edward Kaloust launched Medi-Weightloss in 2005 with the assistance of physicians, dietitians and fitness experts. The program operates through a network of clinics, offering physician-supervised weight loss plans tailored to individual needs. These plans often involve dietary adjustments, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes the use of supplements or medications.
Program Phases
The Medi-Weight Loss Program typically involves three phases:
- Acute Weight Loss: This initial phase focuses on rapid weight loss through a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Participants consume a lot of protein and cut the carbs to help their bodies burn more fat. The goal is to induce ketosis, a metabolic state where the body burns fat for energy. The plan features lean protein, vegetables and healthy fats that support weight loss and induce ketosis.
- Short-Term Maintenance: As individuals approach their target weight, they transition to this phase, where calorie and carbohydrate intake is gradually increased. Participants start increasing their calorie and carb intake. This phase aims to equip participants with the tools for sustainable lifestyle and behavioral changes to support long-term weight maintenance.
- Wellness Phase: Once the weight loss goal is achieved, participants enter the wellness phase, focusing on maintaining the achieved weight loss and overall well-being. The body begins readjusting to normal food and drink intake. During this phase, you’ll adopt a 40:30:30 eating plan.
Program Components
The Medi-Weightloss program incorporates several key components:
- Initial Consultation: A medical professional collects information about your health history and may ask you to go through several tests, such as a blood panel or body composition analysis.
- Personalized Plans: The medical professional will use this information to create a custom diet and exercise plan for you.
- Meal Plans: The program provides comprehensive guidelines for which foods you should eat and avoid while following the diet.
- Supplementation: Medi-Weightloss franchises offer prepackaged meals and supplements for an additional charge.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Ongoing one-on-one meetings with a health coach aim to help you make behavioral and lifestyle changes to lose weight and keep it off long-term.
- Regular Check-ins: Specialists require a weekly check-in at a Medi-Weightloss center for an evaluation.
Foods to Eat and Avoid
The Medi-Weightloss Program provides comprehensive guidelines for which foods you should eat and avoid while following the diet. The exact guidelines for which foods you should eat vary depending on which phase of the program you are in. However, the program typically involves eating plenty of fruits, non-starchy vegetables, heart-healthy fats, and lean protein sources.
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Some foods that are higher in carbohydrates are also permitted in moderation, including:
- Dairy products: milk, cheese, yogurt, butter
- Whole grains: quinoa, brown rice, oats, farro
- Starchy vegetables: potatoes, corn, peas, beets, yam, parsnips
- Legumes: black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils
On the Medi-Weightloss Program, you should limit foods that are highly processed or rich in carbohydrates or added sugar. Here are some foods you may need to limit on the diet:
- Processed foods: fast food, convenience meals, fried foods, chips, pretzels
- Refined carbs: white pasta, white bread, crackers
- Sweets: baked goods, cookies, cakes, candies
- Beverages: soda, juice, sweet tea, energy drinks, sports drinks
- Sugar: white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey
Effectiveness of the Medi-Weight Loss Program
According to a 2020 study, people following the Medi-Weightloss Program lost an average of 21% of their body weight after 39 weeks. They also experienced significant reductions in body fat and belly fat throughout the program. However, this study was funded by Medi-Weightloss and the researchers were employed by the company. Thus, these results may be biased.
While there is no other peer-reviewed research available on the effects of this diet specifically, studies show that similar eating patterns may be effective for weight loss. For instance, multiple studies have found that low carb diets can increase weight loss and reduce body fat. Other research shows that increasing your intake of protein can enhance feelings of fullness, reduce your appetite, and change body composition. The plan also involves regular check-ins and counseling from a medical professional. Not only can this help keep you accountable by providing extra support and guidance, but some studies also show that this could be beneficial for weight loss.
Potential Benefits
- Personalized guidance: The Medi-Weightloss Program is tailored to your needs and includes individualized guidance from a medical professional.
- Structured approach: It is also split into several phases and includes a final phase that supports long-term weight maintenance.
- Support and Accountability: The plan also involves regular check-ins and counseling from a medical professional.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Several downsides should be considered when determining whether Medi-Weightloss is right for you.
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- Limited Research: There’s very little research on the program specifically, apart from studies funded directly by the company.
- Supplement Concerns: Medi-Weightloss supplements contain herbs, including hoodia, guarana, and Gymnema sylvestre, that may interact with medications and lead to side effects. Most people would probably find these supplements unnecessary.
- Restrictive Diet: The plan can be very restrictive and difficult to follow, especially during the initial weight loss phase. Because many foods high in carbohydrates are limited, eating at restaurants or in social settings may also be challenging, which can make the diet more difficult to stick to long-term.
- Cost: Medi-Weightloss programs can also be very expensive.
- Accessibility: The program requires weekly or monthly check-ins at one of the 90 Medi-Weightloss clinics around the country. Therefore, the program may not be ideal for those who don’t live near a clinic.
A Word on Weight Loss Medications and Supplements
More than two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health - and supplement companies are cashing in. The supplement market is very lightly regulated, and the weight-loss products you can buy online, via infomercial, or in nutrition stores could contain any number of hazardous substances. Even if the ingredients are approved for consumer use, they may contain chemical variations of banned or dangerous substances and dosages that are well above what has been deemed safe. Just because a diet supplement helps you lose a few pounds doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Many weight-loss drugs work by speeding up your body’s metabolism and heart rate in order to increase the amount of energy you burn.
Common Side Effects of Weight Loss Supplements
- Damage to your heart
- Increased risk of stroke
- Improper liver function
Anti-Obesity Medications
Anti-obesity medications help many patients lose weight and keep it off. Medication can be part of a comprehensive obesity treatment plan. Eligibility for weight loss medications is typically based on body mass index (BMI). For semaglutide or liraglutide, a patient must must be an adult or child age 12 or more, with a BMI of 30 or greater or with a BMI of 27 or greater with comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Common Weight Loss Medications and Their Side Effects
- Phentermine: This medication works at the brain level to decrease hunger. Side effects include headache, overstimulation, high blood pressure, insomnia, rapid or irregular heart rate, and tremor.
- Phentermine-Topiramate: The benefit of this combination is that two medications are working together to decrease hunger and increase fullness. Side effects of taking phentermine-topiramate include abnormal sensations, dizziness, altered taste, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth.
- Naltrexone-Bupropion: This combination medication can help with fullness and cravings. The most common side effects include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, and diarrhea.
- Liraglutide and Semaglutide: Gastrointestinal issues are the most common complaint among people who are just starting semaglutide. Headlines have warned of increased suicidal ideation associated with semaglutide. Researchers concluded that the use of the GLP-1 agonists was associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis.
- Orlistat: This medication works by blocking the enzyme that breaks down fats consumed through food, thereby inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats. The undigested fat is then passed through the body.
- Tirzepatide: Common side effects include constipation, upset stomach, bloating, and diarrhea. Potential serious side effects also include stomach problems, kidney problems or failure, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, or hypoglycemia, among others.
Managing Gastrointestinal Side Effects of GLP-1 Agonists
Nearly half of the people who take a GLP-1 weight management medication experience one or more GI side effects. The most commonly reported ones are nausea and vomiting, acid reflux, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea and/or constipation. While these symptoms are generally mild and temporary, they may make it difficult to stick with the treatment.
Most of these medications are prescribed at a lower dose and adjusted slowly over time to help your body adjust. Symptoms typically decrease as your body adapts to the medication and your eating habits change. Side effects may resolve initially but could occur again with a dose increase.
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Here are some general tips for minimizing these side effects.
- Think about your food choices: Limiting high fat and greasy foods that take longer to digest can minimize nausea and cramping. Limiting concentrated sweet foods and sugary beverages will also help reduce side effects.
- Re-think portion sizes: Start out by serving yourself and eating smaller portions. Listen to your body when it starts to feel full so that you don’t feel nauseated after eating.
- Listen to your body: Get in touch with your body’s signs of fullness and stop eating at the first sign of fullness.
- Prioritize adequate nutrition: Even if you aren’t feeling hungry, it’s important to still consume healthy nutrients to preserve muscle mass and lean body mass.