For Dietary Management of Obesity. 21 x 40g Sachets - Chocolate
Medicine Classification:
General Sale
Purpose:
Reduce the weight, reduce the burden
Ingredients:
Vanilla Flavour, Caseinates (milk protein), Non-fat milk solids,
Sugar, Maltodextrin, Sunflower oil, Flavours, Colour (160a),
Emulsifier (322), Saccharin sodium, Antioxidant, Micronutrients
General:
Reduce the weight, reduce the burden
It is now recognised that obesity is a complex, serious and chronic problem. The association between being overweight or obese and suffering from ill health is well documented
Diseases and conditions such as:
Coronary heart disease
Heart failure
Stroke
Gallstones
Type 2 Diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Sleep Apnoea
Reproductive problems
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
are all likely in overweight or obese individuals
A measure called the Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used by medical professionals to indicate if a person is obese or overweight. BMI is calculated by weight (kg) divided by height in metres squared
A BMI of between 20 and 24.9 indicates a healthy weight range. A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 indicates a person is in the overweight range, while 30 and above indicates obesity
Health may also be influenced by the location of the excess fat on the body. Excess abdominal fat is more likely to be associated with an increased risk of disease. Waist circumference is a useful measure of this
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that a waist measurement greater than 94cm in men and 80cm in women indicates an increased health risk
Helps break the viscous cycle
You have been recommended Optifast VLCD because you and a medical professional have decided to take charge of your weight and your health
Optifast VLCD uses an established medical technique - a very low calorie diet (VLCD) - for rapid weight reduction. Reducing your calorie intake to below 800 Kcal (3344kj) per day means your body draws its energy from your own fats stores. Quite literally, you live off your own fat
Optifast VLCD contains carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and high quality protein which helps to preserve lean body mass (muscle) while you lose your fat stores. It has been designed to be the sole source of nourishment and therefore contains the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamins, minerals and trace elements
A medical professional may also encourage you to have a maximum of two cups of low starch vegetables with your Optifast VLCD program each day
Medical Supervision Important
Many people who use a VLCD require a major weight loss of over 15kg and are willing to undergo the strict treatment and discipline of the program to achieve a rapid weight loss - for example, prior to surgery or where health or mobility is threatened
With medical supervision, significant weight loss of around 20kg may be experienced by those on a VLCD program over a 12 week period.
Over half of the people who use a VLCD also have obesity-related health problems, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or respiratory problems
As rapid weight reduction can result in a lowering of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, people with these conditions need to be monitored carefully by a doctor
Your doctor may need to reduce or eliminate your medications. Do not stop or reduce your medications on your own
Because of health problems, medications and other risks typically associated with being obese, it is recommended that the use of Optifast VLCD is supervised by a health care professional such as a doctor, hospital specialist, pharmacist or dietician
PRECAUTIONS
Rationale
The use of modified fasting is well established as a safe and effective method of rapid weight loss provided that medical supervision is maintained. Weight loss rates are comparable to those achieved by total fasting, but the disadvantages of severe ketosis and loss of lean body mass are minimised.
Adequate nutritional status is also maintained. Individuals have undertaken modified fasting regimes for many months but are advised to seek the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional to review progress
Progress should be reviewed at least twice monthly if the duration of modified fasting exceeds one month
Indications
Total food replacement for the obese
Optifast VLCD is intended for use as part of the management of the moderately to severely overweight, even where there is associated secondary pathology e.g. non-insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism corrected by replacement therapy, gynaecological disorders, hyperlipidaemia or where obesity is an impediment to surgery
Contraindications
Acute or cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease, renal disease, hepatic disease, juvenile onset diabetes, porphyria or overt psychosis
Use in pregnancy is contraindicated
Use in lactation is contraindicated
Precautions
Individuals with recent myocardial infarction should be referred to a cardiologist to determine suitability for modified fasting
Individuals should be screened for gall bladder disorders prior to commencement of modified fasting using Optifast VLCD
Individuals receiving medication for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia or those on Lithium therapy may require a reduction in dose or withdrawal of treatment whilst undergoing modified fasting
Such individuals should be monitored carefully in the first weeks of an Optifast VLCD program
Individuals wiht a history of hepatic or renal disease should also be monitored carefully
Individuals on lithium therapy require more frequent monitoring of blood lithium levels
Alcohol should not be consumed when using Optifast VLCD
Monitoring
At the commencement of the program, individuals should be checked for normal renal and hepatic function and thereafter regular checks for weight, blood pressure and urinalysis
Adverse Reactions
Initial transient effects have been observed:
Sensitivity to cold
Dry skin
Temporary rash
Postural hypotension
Fatigue
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Muscle Cramps
Halitosis
Irritability
Menstrual Disturbances
These are generally insufficient in magnitude or duration to warrant cessation of the program. In some rare cases, numbness and the appearance of previously unsuspected gallstones have been reported
Rapid weight loss occasionally leads to higher serum uric acid levels and might precipitate and acute attack of gout in a predisposed individual. This may be ameliorated by ensuring adequate fluid intake, but in severe cases therapy such as allopurinol may be indicated
Although Optifast VLCD contains adequate electrolytes for the needs of most individuals, some individuals may become hyponatraemic, or hypokalaemic, especially if they are receiving diuretic therapy. In such circumstances, electrolyte supplements may be required
Overdosage
Symptoms of overdosage would become apparent after prolonged ingestion of at least 22 sachets per day. Such symptoms would be due to an intake of over 25000 IU per day of Vitamin A, or over 600 micrograms of Selenium
A yellow colouration of the skin may result due to the excessive intakes of the carotenes derived from the Vitamin A, but disappear when the carotenoid intake is reduced
Signs of Selenium toxicity may include loss of hair and nails
Potential toxicity may also result when persistent ingestion of large amounts of Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) exceed the recommended allowance by several-fold, and may result in hypercalcaemia and consequent calcification of soft tissues
Warning:
Store below 30°C
Dosage:
Intensive Phase:
Breakfast:
1 sachet of Optifast VLCD Dessert or Milkshake or
1 sachet of Optifast VLCD Soup
Lunch:
1 sachet of Optifast VLCD Dessert or Milkshake or
1 sachet of Optifast VLCD Soup
Dinner:
1 sachet of Optifast VLCD Dessert or Milkshake or
2 sachet of Optifast VLCD Soup
Mix each sachet with 200ml water and shake vigorously
Do not use boiling water
If desired, more water may be added
Refer to the pack insert for further details
Price includes Delivery (Courier in New Zealand, Airmail elsewhere) for orders over $50