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'''The Cambridge Diet''' is a controversial<ref name="LATwishful">{{cite news |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/683272342.html?dids=683272342:683272342&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Jun+24%2C+1982&author=ROSE+DOSTI&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Dietitian+Describes+Cambridge+Diet+as+%27Wishful+Thinking%27&pqatl=google |title=Dietician Describes Cambridge Diet as 'Wishful Thinking' |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date= 1982-06-24| first=Rose | last=Dosti}}</ref><ref name="NYTcaution">{{cite news |url=
The '''Cambridge Diet''' is a weight management programme ranging from 415 to 1500 kcal/day. It is manufactured in the UK and complies with all current UK and EU legislation, guidance and directives.<ref>EU Directive: Foods Intended for Use in Energy Restricted Diets for Weight Control. 1996 (Implemented in UK as Statutory Instrument 2182, 1997)</ref><ref>SCOOP 7.3 “Collection of data on products intended for use in very low calorie diets” established under Directive 93/5/EC on the assistance to the Commission and Co-operation by the Member States in the Scientific Examination of Questions related to food. http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/scoop/7.3_en.pdf</ref><ref>NICE Guidelines on Obesity (CG43) December 2006 – “Full Guideline section 1 – Introduction, methods and recommendations”, page 119 http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG43/NiceGuidance/pdf/English</ref> The Diet is also sold in more than 20 countries around the world.
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40D1FF83B5D0C768EDDA80994DB484D81 |title=Medical Researchers Urge Caution in Use of Cambridge Diet |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=The New York Times |date= 1983-11-25}}</ref><ref name = "WPsafety">{{cite news |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/127641362.html?dids=127641362:127641362&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=NOV+25%2C+1983&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Researchers+Question+Safety+of+Cambridge+Diet&pqatl=google |title=Researchers Question Safety of Cambridge Diet |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=Washington Post |date= 1983-11-25}}</ref><ref name="CTdeath">{{cite news |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/623212512.html?dids=623212512:623212512&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&date=Jun+12%2C+1980&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Cambridge+Diet+may+cause+death%2C+U.+S.+says+in+lawsuit&pqatl=google |title=Cambridge Diet may cause death, U. S. says in lawsuit |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date= 1980-06-12}}</ref> [[Very Low Calorie Diet|very low calorie diet]] involving severe calorie restriction combined with nutritional supplementation. It was developed in the early 1960s by Dr. Alan Howard at [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]], United Kingdom as a method of rapidly shedding weight while reducing loss of lean body weight.<ref name = "NYThoward">{{cite news |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02EFDB1239F935A25752C1A965948260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=all |title=Personal Health |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=New York Times |date= 1983-11-16| first=Jane E. | last=Brody}}</ref>
It is not affiliated to the US version of the Diet - Cambridge Original and Cambridge Food for Life <ref>http://www.cambridgedietusa.com/</ref>

The Cambridge Diet was developed in 1970 by Dr. Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England.
The core principle of the diet is severe calorie restriction, as low as 400 calories/day, combined with supplements of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids to reduce the loss of nutrients typical of severe calorie restriction. However, experts note that some essential nutrients may still be lost, leading to potential problems such as heart arrythmias and other side effects.<ref name = "NYThoward"/> As a result, it is claimed that the diet in its original form has contributed to a number of deaths.<ref name="CTdeath"/><ref name = LATslims>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1985-02-17/business/fi-3826_1_cambridge-diet|title=Cambridge Diet Firms Slim Down |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date= 1985-02-17| first=Nancy | last=Rivera}}</ref> More recent versions of the diet are less severe, and some comply with guidelines from relevant health authorities. Even so, health guidelines such as those from the NHS state that diets of less than 600 calories/day should only be undertaken under medical supervision, and that diets less than 1600 calories/day are less likely to be nutritionally complete.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG43NICEGuideline.pdf |title=NHS Obesity Guidelines |accessdate=2009-11-10 |work= |publisher=National Health Service UK |date= }}</ref>
It was launched as a commercial product in the United States in 1980. The Diet was very popular in the America but was also the subject of some controversy. It later came under scrutiny from regulators and health authorities after potential health concerns were raised.<ref>"Dietician Describes Cambridge Diet as 'Wishful Thinking'". Los Angeles Times. Jun 24, 1982 http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/683272342.html?dids=683272342:683272342&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Jun+24%2C+1982&author=ROSE+DOSTI&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Dietitian+Describes+Cambridge+Diet+as+%27Wishful+Thinking%27&pqatl=google. Retrieved on 2009-02-18.</ref><ref>"Medical Researchers Urge Caution in Use of Cambridge Diet". The New York Times. November 25, 1983 http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40D1FF83B5D0C768EDDA80994DB484D81. Retrieved on 2009-02-18.</ref>

In the UK the Cambridge Diet was launched in 1984. In 1986 the Diet was slightly reformulated to adhere to recommendations made by the Commission on Medical Aspects (COMA).<ref>Report on Health and Social Scientific Co-Operation No 31. The Use of Very Low Calorie Diets in Obesity. Committee in Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA) DHSS 1987 (HMSO)</ref>
The diet became popular in the 1980s, particularly in the USA, where it was commercialized and gained millions of followers. Dr. Howard's patented formula was sold to Jack Feather, a California based proprietor of figure salon businesses, whose other business ventures included the notorious [[Mark Eden bust developer]].<ref>[[Jane Brody]], "[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02EFDB1239F935A25752C1A965948260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=2 Personal Health]" (byline Nov. 16, 1983, accessed Feb. 23, 2009), ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref> In 1982 and 1983 the diet increasingly came under the scrutiny of regulators and health authorities for its potential health dangers, and companies selling Cambridge Diet products were criticised for false advertising<ref name = "MHads">{{cite news |url=
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB35E2437C23C66&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Cambridge Diet Ads are Causing Criticism |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=Miami Herald |date= }}</ref><ref name = "MHfda">{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB35ADBB8A889F1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=FDA Says Cambridge Diet Needs Medical Attention |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=Miami Herald |date= }}</ref>. As a result, popularity eventually waned.<ref name="LATempire">{{cite news |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/686300242.html?dids=686300242:686300242&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Oct+13%2C+1983&author=CYNTHIA+GORNEY&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Rise+and+Fall+of+the+Feather%27s+Cambridge+Diet+Empire&pqatl=google |title=Rise and Fall of the Cambridge Diet Empire |accessdate=2009-02-18 |work= |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date= 1983-10-13| first=Cynthia | last=Gorney}}</ref>



The core principle of the Diet in the UK is very low calorie diet (VLCD) restriction, as low as 415 calories/day, combined with minerals, vitamins and fatty acids to reduce the loss of nutrients typical of low calorie restriction. The diet formula is intended to harness "the excellent weight loss properties of starvation", while providing enough protein to protect lean tissue, the right level of carbohydrate to promote a mild ketosis (the body's fasting mode, which burns body fat) and eliminate a sense of hunger, and the right levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids to maintain good health. The meals are intended to combine all necessary food groups to satisfy a body’s nutritional needs, in order to allow a person to stop craving foods and overeating.
In 2006 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) published its guidance on obesity and acknowledged the use of VCLD’s such as the Cambridge Diet as one option for the management of obesity.<ref>NICE Guidelines on Obesity (CG43) December 2006 – Booklet “Information for people who use NHS services – Treatment for people who are overweight and obese”, page 3</ref>


==References==
==References==
<references/>
{{reflist}}

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[[Category:Diets]]
[[Category:Diets]]

Revision as of 06:16, 9 February 2011

The Cambridge Diet is a controversial[1][2][3][4] very low calorie diet involving severe calorie restriction combined with nutritional supplementation. It was developed in the early 1960s by Dr. Alan Howard at Cambridge University, United Kingdom as a method of rapidly shedding weight while reducing loss of lean body weight.[5]

The core principle of the diet is severe calorie restriction, as low as 400 calories/day, combined with supplements of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids to reduce the loss of nutrients typical of severe calorie restriction. However, experts note that some essential nutrients may still be lost, leading to potential problems such as heart arrythmias and other side effects.[5] As a result, it is claimed that the diet in its original form has contributed to a number of deaths.[4][6] More recent versions of the diet are less severe, and some comply with guidelines from relevant health authorities. Even so, health guidelines such as those from the NHS state that diets of less than 600 calories/day should only be undertaken under medical supervision, and that diets less than 1600 calories/day are less likely to be nutritionally complete.[7]

The diet became popular in the 1980s, particularly in the USA, where it was commercialized and gained millions of followers. Dr. Howard's patented formula was sold to Jack Feather, a California based proprietor of figure salon businesses, whose other business ventures included the notorious Mark Eden bust developer.[8] In 1982 and 1983 the diet increasingly came under the scrutiny of regulators and health authorities for its potential health dangers, and companies selling Cambridge Diet products were criticised for false advertising[9][10]. As a result, popularity eventually waned.[11]


References

  1. ^ Dosti, Rose (1982-06-24). "Dietician Describes Cambridge Diet as 'Wishful Thinking'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  2. ^ "Medical Researchers Urge Caution in Use of Cambridge Diet". The New York Times. 1983-11-25. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  3. ^ "Researchers Question Safety of Cambridge Diet". Washington Post. 1983-11-25. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  4. ^ a b "Cambridge Diet may cause death, U. S. says in lawsuit". Chicago Tribune. 1980-06-12. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  5. ^ a b Brody, Jane E. (1983-11-16). "Personal Health". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  6. ^ Rivera, Nancy (1985-02-17). "Cambridge Diet Firms Slim Down". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  7. ^ "NHS Obesity Guidelines" (PDF). National Health Service UK. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  8. ^ Jane Brody, "Personal Health" (byline Nov. 16, 1983, accessed Feb. 23, 2009), New York Times.
  9. ^ "Cambridge Diet Ads are Causing Criticism". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  10. ^ "FDA Says Cambridge Diet Needs Medical Attention". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  11. ^ Gorney, Cynthia (1983-10-13). "Rise and Fall of the Cambridge Diet Empire". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
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