Effects

The liquid diet can produce short-term side effects that result in long-term problems. Fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, gallstones, constipation, irritability, fainting and cold intolerance are the short-term side effects of the lack of nutrition and calories the diet causes. More serious problems include heart problems, chronic digestive issues and coma or death from severe malnutrition.

Identification

The liquid diet is, as the name implies, a diet consisting only of liquids. Liquid diets last one week, and include no solid food whatsoever. The general calorie consumption of a liquid diet is about 400-800 calories a day, compared to the 1300-2000 calorie minimum recommended by doctors and nutritionists.

Considerations

People with health conditions such as diabetes, heart issues, digestive problems or any other chronic health problems or immune system issues are not candidates for a liquid diet. The risks associated with a liquid diet complicating an underlying health condition are too great.

Misconceptions

Many people assume that the dizziness or fatigue associated with being on a liquid diet means that it's working. Unfortunately, these can be signs of a serious problem. Liquid diets rarely lead to sustained weight loss, with most subjects gaining back all their weight upon eating solid food again.

Warning

Never attempt a liquid diet without the approval of a physician who is aware of all health problems. Side effects of the liquid diet need to be closely monitored and reported to the physician for determining the safety of its continuance.

Famous Ties

There are several famous individuals that use liquid diets to lose weight. Beyonce Knowles and Denzel Washington have followed the week-long liquid diet to shed pounds. Beyonce does not recommend the liquid diet.