Historically, a protein sparing modified fast (PSMF) suffered a blemished record of safety, since initial protein powders used collagen. Today, complete protein powders and whole foods offer a safe, rapid fat loss solution to the problem of obesity. This very low carbohydrate, low calorie diet works better than any other diet I've tried. It comes recommended by researchers as an effective way to lose fat quickly.
PSMF Diet Designed to Treat Morbid Obesity
Originally, the PSMF diet was developed in the early 70s by medical scientists at Harvard Medical School and Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland to treat morbidly obese patients more effectively. The current method of fasting back then caused muscle wasting, potassium deficiency, and vitamin depletion.
After several experiments with hospitalized patients, researchers discovered an egg-protein and glucose supplement combination that mimicked the benefits of fasting without the dangers. It provided adequate protein to prevent muscle loss, a little carbohydrate, and was low in calories.
Patients experienced mostly normal blood sugars, no hunger, and lost a large amount of body fat quickly. The only drawback was expense. Few could afford a hospital stay, so later it was turned into an outpatient program.
Lose Weight Quick Scheme: The Liquid Protein Disaster
Similar published PSMF diets recommended inferior protein shakes from companies like Medifast and Optifast. While The Last Chance Diet required taking these supplements by tablespoons throughout the day, I can remember how the manufacturers advertised them on television as the easiest and quickest way to lose weight: Drink a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and eat a sensible dinner.
Nothing could be easier they said; except the diets were dangerous if followed for more than a couple of months. The protein was collagen which isn't very useful to the body. Many people suffered serious complications from the resulting protein deficiency. Several individuals died, including those under strict medical supervision.
Is a PSMF Style Diet Dangerous?
In a scientific study published in the International Journal of Obesity, B.R. Bistrian and M. Sherman placed 36 individuals on a short-term, PSMF diet. Each participant received 1.5 grams of meat protein per kilogram of ideal body weight. Researchers also met the participants’ vitamin, mineral, and fluid requirements.
A program of outpatient obesity treatment where yearly contact was made with 31 of the patients over a five-year period followed the inpatient, metabolic diet study. Results were exceptional. More than one-half of the individuals lost over 20 pounds, and one-third lost over 40. The study showed that this type of diet can help individuals lose body fat, rather than just weight, and recommended its use in the management of obesity.
Safe Protein Sparing Modified Fast Programs
After being bedridden for over a year with vestibular dysfunction (a sensory processing disorder), I gained a whopping 80 pounds. Since I was already overweight to begin with, I knew I had to do something quickly to stop the upward swing. Between a partial round of hCG and several rounds of Lyle McDonald's program I've been able to get closer to my goal than any other type of diet.
Dr. Simeon’s hCG diet is higher in carbs and lower in protein than most protein sparing plans. However, followers still report amazing results. Dr. Simeon’s original diet, Pounds and Inches, can be downloaded for free in pdf format. There are a variety of hCG plans out today. Some require injections, some prescription drops, and there is also a version that uses homeopathic hCG. With the homeopathic version, I was able to drop 30 pounds in as little as 12 weeks. It's a very strict diet though, and I had a difficult time staying on program. Half-way through I switched back to McDonald's plan but continued to take the drops.
The Cleveland Clinic offers a PSMF diet program as well. It’s designed to produce weight loss through medical, nutritional, and behavioral intervention. According to their website, the clinic doesn’t set weight loss goals; they work with a patient’s personal physician. However, they do offer a whole foods plan with lean meats, poultry, and fish, and a limited amount of low-carb vegetables. Most carbohydrates and added dietary fat are not allowed.
The PSMF program I've had the best success with is Lyle McDonald’s Rapid Fat Loss Handbook. Originally designed for bodybuilders desiring a safe crash diet, this lose-weight-quick plan works equally well for others. McDonald recommends using whole foods like fibrous vegetables to increase dieter comfort., lean meats, poultry, fish, and non-fat or low-fat dairy. Fish oils are also required for adequate essential fatty acids.
The Quickest Way to Lose Weight is a PSMF Diet
Some PSMF programs like Dr. Eades' Thin So Fast used homemade weight loss shakes to replace inferior products available in the 80s, but today, protein shakes are not dangerous. They are made from quality, complete protein sources. While weight loss shakes result in quick and easy weight loss, most current PSMF diet plans use or encourage whole foods rather than liquid supplements. These nutrient-dense diets are low in calories and carbohydrate, encouraging the body to predominantly burn fat for fuel. They also provide good blood sugar control, lack of hunger, and all the other advantages of fasting without the dangers.
References:
Eades, Michael R., M.D., Thin So Fast, Warner Books, Inc., 1989
McDonald, Lyle, The Rapid Fat Loss Handbook: A Scientific Approach to Crash Dieting, Lyle McDonald Publishing, 2008
International Journal of Obesity, Bistrain, B. R., Sherman, M., “Results of the Treatment of Obesity with a Protein-sparing Modified Fast,” 2:2, 143-148, 1978
Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org, “PSMF Diet Program” (accessed July 16, 2010)
Vickie Ewell - Vickie has worked with autistic individuals for 9 years. She has celiac disease and specializes in gfcf living.
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