When people see the name Hollywood, they think of glamour and people who are wealthy, slim, and gorgeous. They also think that “if the stars do it, it must be ok for me too.” This is not always the case, however, and Hollywood doesn’t always follow through on the image that it portrays.
Losing weight is a major obsession in the land of movie stars and people across the country are always interested in knowing how their favorite celebrities are losing their unwanted pounds. The Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet is a fad that not only caught on but has remained popular even though there is very little evidence available that proves it lives up to its claims.
The Hype
The creators of the 48-Hour Diet prey on the fact that people want to look like their favorite celebrity. Their main claim is that the diet will allow the person to lose up to 10 pounds in two days’ time while on their plan. They also infer that drinking the juice mix and nothing else for 48 straight hours will allow for weight loss.
It is also claimed that the blend of juices used will flush toxins and contaminants out of the body. While the diet claims to help the user lose weight quickly and efficiently, it makes only a sparing reference to exercising for 30 minutes a day, five times per week once the diet has completed.
The 400 calorie a day diet allows only the juice blend and water to be consumed for 48 hours. The 48-Hour Diet is also referred to as a VLCD, or very low-calorie diet. The problem with VLCD diets is that it dramatically restricts the number of calories. While fewer calories will definitely cause substantial weight loss, it does not promote the loss of body fat.
The Facts
While the 48-hour diet does include natural juices and is able to flush pounds of fecal sludge from the colon, its claims are not substantiated by solid research. Even though the diet is made up of a blend of healthy juices and purees, it rates very low when it comes to nutritive value. The juice blend contains:
- Apple juice concentrate
- Grape juice concentrate
- Orange juice concentrate
- Pineapple juice concentrate
- Puree that includes apricots, bananas, and peaches
When the diet is used, it acts as a natural detoxifier. The user may lose water weight, but the fat stored in their body remains in place. As the body detoxifies and the number of calories remains under what is generally needed for survival, the body goes into what is known as “starvation mode”.
During this phase, processes within the body slow down in an attempt to conserve energy. Fewer calories are consumed. Because no protein is entering the body, the main source of fuel is found in the muscles. This results in significant loss of muscle mass.
The Dangers
The dangers surrounding the 48-Hour diet are many. First and foremost, the reduced number of calories is dangerously low compared to what is needed by the body to function. The body needs 1,200 calories to supply the energy for the body to function at its very best. Without the appropriate number of calories, the body can actually become hypoglycemic. A dramatic drop in blood sugar can lead to a variety of symptoms, including muscle weakness, fatigue, shakiness, and dizziness.
Another risk factor with the 48-Hour Diet is the fact that a person who has other health issues can throw their body into shock by losing weight too rapidly. Individuals who choose to use “crash” diets normally want the quickest fix possible. The diet sends the message that cutting corners and taking chances with weight loss is fine as long as the weight comes off. This is far from the truth and can be dangerous to someone who has a heart condition.
The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to avoid diets that encourage rapid weight loss without a conscious effort to maintain good health. One thing that is overlooked by the diet manufacturers was creating a sound diet plan to help consumers get the most out of their product. Using the 48-Hour Diet to detox as a part of a healthy lifestyle, a person can regain all aspects of their health. Using it alone, on the other hand, can result in a variety of side effects and possibly, even an increase in overall body weight.
~ Health Scams Exposed
