The OPTIFAST program is a medically supervised weight management plan designed for individuals struggling with obesity. It utilizes full and partial meal replacement products to facilitate rapid and safe weight loss, complemented by medical monitoring and lifestyle education for sustained results. Founded in 1974, OPTIFAST boasts a long-standing history of success, supported by numerous studies and the experience of over one million patients worldwide.
Proven Benefits of OPTIFAST
The OPTIFAST program is backed by a documented history of success, with more than 80 published studies validating its results. These studies have shown an average weight loss of 52 pounds in 20,000 patients. This program offers a multi-pronged approach to weight loss that addresses obesity from multiple perspectives, making it a tool in demand.
Medical Supervision and Personalized Plans
A key component of the OPTIFAST program is medical supervision. Weight loss doctors provide personalized, dedicated, and well-rounded weight loss plans tailored to individual needs and goals. Progress is monitored weekly to ensure a proper balance of steady weight loss and continued health. This medical monitoring allows healthcare professionals to assess progress toward better health and emotional well-being.
Balanced Nutrition with OPTIFAST Products
OPTIFAST products are developed by Nestle to provide complete, balanced nutrition with exceptional quality. When used as directed, these products offer 100% of the recommended daily intake for protein and all essential vitamins and minerals. The products are based on scientifically designed recipes developed by a team of experts. The OPTIFAST product line has been revised to increase protein levels, decrease carbohydrates, and remove added sugars using high-quality ingredients. OPTIFAST product can be used as part of a total diet replacement which includes 100% of the recommended daily value for at least 24 vitamins and minerals, ensuring you are getting all the micro nutrients (vitamins and minerals) you need.
Ongoing Support and Lifestyle Education
The OPTIFAST program offers continued support through medical monitoring and lifestyle education. This helps patients learn to maintain their weight loss over time by overhauling their approach to eating and physical activity. The team is available for lifelong help and guidance. Frequent clinic visits and group meetings further assist patients in achieving their new lifestyle and weight loss goals. Behavioral specialists guide patients through the challenges of losing weight successfully.
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OPTIFAST for Pre- and Post-Surgical Use
If considering weight loss surgery or scheduled for a procedure, patients should discuss the benefits of pre/post-surgical use of OPTIFAST with their physician. The use of OPTIFAST products before and after surgery benefits the patient by reducing the risk for complications during surgery, decreasing the length of hospital stay post-op, and even results in an increased weight loss the first year following surgery.
OPTIWIN Study: Comparing OPTIFAST to Food-Based Diets
The OPTIWIN study was a multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial designed to test the effectiveness of OPTIFAST (OP) compared to a food-based (FB) dietary plan with comprehensive behavioral intervention for weight loss. The study aimed to determine whether OP was more effective than FB for weight loss at 26 and 52 weeks.
Study Design and Participants
Participants with a BMI of 30 to 55 kg/m2, aged 18 to 70 years old, were randomized to OP or FB dietary and lifestyle interventions for 26 weeks, followed by a weight-maintenance phase. Key exclusions included recent weight loss or use of weight-loss medications, previous bariatric surgery, organ failure, type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease events, mental health hospitalization, alcohol or drug dependence, potential eating disorder, or poorly controlled depression.
Participants randomized to OP were provided with meal replacements at no cost. Those with a BMI less than 45 were instructed to use five meal replacements per day (800 kcal total), with 40% of calories from protein, 40% from carbohydrate, and 20% from fat. Participants with a BMI of 45 to 49.9 received six meal replacements per day (960 kcal); those with a BMI of 50 or greater received six meal replacements plus one meal daily of lean protein and one nonstarchy vegetable serving (1,100-1,200 kcal).
The FB program was a modified version of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) intervention. FB participants received gift cards totaling $800 to offset the cost of groceries during the active weight-loss phase.
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Both treatment groups had weekly group behavioral sessions and prescriptions for physical activity, targeting 150 to 180 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous exercise.
Outcomes and Results
The primary outcomes were percent change in body weight from baseline to weeks 26 and 52. A total of 273 participants made up the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population.
At 26 weeks, the OP group experienced a weight loss of 12.4% ± 0.6% compared to 6.0% ± 0.6% in the FB group (P < 0.001). At 52 weeks, the OP group had a weight loss of 10.5% ± 0.6% versus 5.5% ± 0.6% in the FB group (P < 0.001). Fat mass loss was greater for OP, while lean mass loss was proportional to total weight loss.
Higher proportions of OP participants achieved 5% and 10% weight loss at week 52 compared to FB. The percentage of people who lost 15% or more of their initial weight was more than double in OP than FB (30% vs. 12%; P < 0.001).
Changes in waist circumference paralleled weight loss in both treatment groups, with greater reductions for the OP group.
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Adverse Events
Mild or moderate adverse events (AEs) were reported by 76.8% of OP and 62.7% of FB participants. Serious AEs were reported by 4.5% of OP and 3.3% of FB participants. Discontinuation rates were not statistically different between groups.
Conclusions of the OPTIWIN Study
The OPTIWIN study demonstrated that participants in the OPTIFAST treatment arm lost significantly more weight than those in the food-based diet arm. A larger proportion of participants lost 5%, 10%, or 15% of their body weight with OPTIFAST, and a greater percentage of people responded with at least 3% weight loss. The OPTIFAST participants had greater losses of fat mass, and the program was well-tolerated and safe.
OPTIFAST Program Phases
The OPTIFAST program typically consists of three phases:
Active Weight Loss Phase
This phase typically lasts for 12-16 weeks and involves a full meal replacement strategy or a transition plan strategy (using meal replacements and one food-based meal) with OPTIFAST products. Designed for rapid, initial, effective weight loss, this ketosis-inducing phase can last up to 12 weeks. If, after 12 weeks, you still have significant weight to lose, follow the Transition Phase for a minimum of 2 weeks before repeating the Intensive Phase. During the 16-week Active Weight Loss phase, you'll use an OPTIFAST Weight Loss program partial meal replacement diet and receive monthly medical monitoring. In addition, you’ll be encouraged to attend monthly group sessions under the care of a behaviorist, registered dietitian and/or exercise specialist.
Transition Phase
In this phase, patients begin eating self-prepared regular food again. This phase allows you to replace one OPTIFAST® meal with a regular one, cooked using a choice of healthy recipes. You’ll transition to regular foods, continue to participate in group sessions and meet with a dietitian each visit.
Long-Term Weight Management Phase
This ongoing phase can include partial OPTIFAST Weight Loss program meal replacement and partial regular food, as well as ongoing support. During this phase, you only need to eat one OPTIFAST® meal a day, with two meals being regular ones, cooked using a choice of healthy recipes. During this phase, you no longer need OPTIFAST® meals! Here you will learn to maintain your healthier lifestyle and monitor and adjust your meal plan for long-term weight management.
Who is a Candidate for the OPTIFAST Program?
The OPTIFAST program is typically designed for patients with a BMI greater than 30 or those who need to lose at least 50 pounds. It is also suitable for individuals who:
- Have a BMI of 30 or more or struggle with a BMI of 27 or more and have another condition such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea.
- Want support overcoming emotional barriers to weight loss.
- Appreciate the supervision of a physician, along with a comprehensive health care team.
Advantages of the OPTIFAST Program
- Patients often lose weight quickly.
- It can improve health and lead to the adoption of healthier eating habits.
- It utilizes the expertise of medical professionals to help patients lose weight safely.
- Provides lifestyle education to help patients achieve and sustain better health through nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
- Offers individual and group counseling by experts who understand the challenges of weight loss.
- Includes ongoing personalized support both during and after weight loss.
Disadvantages of the OPTIFAST Program
- Patients may gain weight back after the program has been completed.
- Maintaining healthy habits can be challenging once the program ends.
- The drastic lifestyle changes can be difficult for some patients to adhere to.
The Importance of Ongoing Weight Management
The OPTIFAST Weight Loss program experts recognize that a key to successful weight management is periodic or continuous involvement in a weight management program. Weight management is an ongoing process that requires intermittent behavioral, nutrition, and exercise intervention. It is important to know that relapse is not unusual.
OPTIFAST: A Sensible Option for Lifestyle Transformation
The OPTIFAST program offers a sensible option for lifestyle transformation. It is supported by and conducted through many of the world’s leading medical institutions and by many advisory boards of experts in the field of obesity. The OPTIFAST® Programmes are supported by and conducted through many of the world’s leading Medical Institutions and by many advisory boards of experts in the field of obesity. The Optifast® Programmes are supported by and conducted through many of the world’s leading Medical Institutions and by many advisory boards of experts in the field of obesity.