The Cambridge Diet
The Cambridge Diet is a controversial[1][2] and potentially dangerous[2][3][4] diet involving severe calorie restriction combined with nutritional supplementation. It was developed in 1970 by Dr. Alan Howard at Cambridge University, England 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 has contributed to a number of deaths.[4][6]
The diet became popular in the 1980s, particularly in the USA, where it was commercialized and gained millions of followers. 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[7][8]. As a result, popularity eventually waned.[9]
The Cambridge Diet is still in use today and several companies continue to sell Cambridge Diet products, sometimes with modifications on the original formula.
References
- ^ "Dietician Describes Cambridge Diet as 'Wishful Thinking'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ a b "Medical Researchers Urge Caution in Use of Cambridge Diet". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ "Researchers Question Safety of Cambridge Diet". Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ a b "Cambridge Diet may cause death, U. S. says in lawsuit". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ a b "Personal Health". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ "Cambridge Diet Firms Slim Down". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ "Cambridge Diet Ads are Causing Criticism". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ "FDA Says Cambridge Diet Needs Medical Attention". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ "Rise and Fall of the Cambridge Diet Empire". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-02-18.