Possible Symptoms & Side Effects*NOTE: Most of the time, our Clients report feeling energized and better than they did prior to starting a this Program. If you are ill or do not feel well, see your doctor. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you should be able to continue on plan, as most symptoms experienced are temporary. Whenever you change your eating habits in any way, sometimes your body reacts. If you have questions, talk to your Health Coach. Leg Cramps Leg CrampsSome individuals may experience leg cramps on the program. If you are on medications you will want to have these monitored and adjusted accordingly throughout your weight loss program.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue
Women’s IssuesRapid weight loss may cause an increase in the level of estrogen in the bloodstream. This in turn may possibly affect menstrual cycle regularity, change PMS symptoms, and/or increase fertility. Please contact your Ob-Gyn if you have any concerns or questions. HeadacheIndividuals may experience a headache at the onset of the program. This is a result of getting into the fat-burning state.
Loose SkinSome individuals may experience loose skin on the program (due to weight loss). Your skin has natural elasticity and will adapt to your smaller size given time. Stay well hydrated, keep getting great nutrition and use moisturizers. It may take 6 months to a year to see full improvement but it will happen in most people. Incorporating exercise into the program can help improve muscle tone. The skin however lies over the muscle and is separate from it and so may not be affected by muscle tone. Check with your physician if you don’t see improvement after several months at your weight goal. Feeling ColdSome individuals may feel cold on the program – a result of the lower caloric intake. Try a MF hot product, and make sure to carry around a sweater or jacket. Hair LossHair loss is NOT a typical side effect of the our program; however, a small percentage of people may experience this as hair loss is possible whenever a person loses weight (this means whether following this program or another means of weight loss).
No matter what method people choose to lose weight, the more rapid the weight loss is, the more likely they are to experience some temporary hair loss. There are several circumstances during weight loss that can produce a "shock to the system" that alters the normal hair growth rhythm. As a result, as much as 30-40% of hairs can cycle into a resting phase rather than the typical 10%. Three months later, these hairs can come out in a substantial shedding.
Typically the scalp and hair will adjust, and for most people hair will stop falling out. The condition may resolve while following the weight loss program, but usually resolves when the person stops losing weight and gradually increases calorie intake during weight maintenance.
In a study observing hair loss while following a weight loss program, nine patients experienced hair loss two to five months after starting a rigorous program and hair loss of 25% to 50% was observed. Re-growth of hair did occur within several months. A strict calorie limitation that leaves inadequate energy for the hair matrix was thought to be the cause for the hair loss (1).
Stress and hormonal changes can also “shock the system” and trigger temporary hair loss. Either of these conditions may accompany a weight reduction program. Because a small amount of estrogen is stored in fatty tissue and released when that fat is lost, some individuals may experience hormonal changes with weight loss.
While the MF meals do not lack or add anything that should innately cause hair loss, when "choosing your own foods" you may have been getting inadequate amounts of vitamins/minerals, protein, etc that potentially may have been part of the problem.
A variety of vitamin, mineral, and other supplements are available and marketed as helpful in hair growth. Although the ingredients offered in the products may be necessary for hair growth - they are beneficial only when deficient and the MF program provides adequate vitamins and minerals through its vitamin and mineral fortification – so if the 5&1 plan is followed as written the likelihood of a deficiency is very low. No studies are available that support additional vitamin and/or mineral supplementation to enhance re-growth of hair lost during weight loss. The use of an additional multivitamin while following the 5 and 1 meal plan is not recommended as it may increase the risk of meeting or exceeding the tolerable upper limit for certain vitamins and minerals which may actually increase the likelihood of hair loss (for example a very high level of Vitamin A--greater than 10000 IU--has been shown to result in hair loss).
Some individuals (especially those who do not eat fish regularly--2 or more times per week) may benefit from including essential fatty acids (as these are not fortified in the MF meals). We offer a Essential Heart Health Super Omega-3 essential fatty acid supplement to help provide an option for those looking for a great Omega-3 product. The MF Super Omega 3 also contains flaxseed oil which has been shown to promote the health of skin and hair. If you choose an outside supplement of this nature, be sure to look for one that has been 3rd party tested to ensure quality and purity (ours is, of course, third party tested to ensure what we say you're getting is actually what you're getting in these capsules). Here is the breakdown of the MF Omega 3 Supplement so something comparable is okay. Total Fat 2.5 g 4% Sodium 0 mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 0 g 0% Protein 0 g AVERAGE % DAILY VALUE Calories per Serving: 25 Calories from Fat: 25 Serving Size: 2 Softgel Capsules Servings per Container: 30 Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, adults take two (2) softgel capsules daily with a meal, or as directed by a health care professional. Ultra Refined Deodorized Fish Oil Concentrate 2440 mg† EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) 720 mg........................... † DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) 480 mg ......................... † Organic Flax Seed Oil 100mg.............................................. † ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid) 50 mg .............................. † LA (Cis-Linoleic Acid) 12 mg......................................... † Oleic Acid 15 mg.............................................................. †
Ground or whole flaxseed can also be incorporated into your 5 and 1 meal plan. 1 teaspoon (whole or ground, though ground is needed to "release" those essential fatty acids) can be counted as 1 condiment option.
Although the MF meals are fortified with all the B-vitamins (including biotin) and individuals would be getting at least 100% of the daily value for this micronutrient with 5 MF meals, if you wanted to take an outside supplement, this is a personal decision and should not hinder your weight loss progress. There is no established upper limit for biotin so this should also not be an issue. While there is no one specific brand or product that is recommended, be sure to, again, look for a product that has been tested by an outside lab to ensure quality and pureness of the content.
Weight loss is beneficial in reducing health risks and improving the quality of life. Although hair loss is upsetting, the long-term health benefits of weight loss certainly outweigh this potential short-term adverse effect. If you, personally, feel you have reached your health goal and are ready to start the transition process, then be sure to follow the recommendations provided in the Transition and Maintenance Guide. If this continues to be a problem or concern, it may be best to speak to your own doctor or preferably, a dermatologist. As a specialist in this area, they may be able to rule out any underlying causes and offer further guidance on this issue. RashSome individuals may experience a rash, perhaps due to one of the following:
Benadryl or Cortisone cream may help get rid of the rash. If the rash persists, it is likely due to an allergy – and use of the contributing products should be discontinued in this case. GasSome individuals may experience gas on the program. Generally this will go away after incorporating an antacid such as Rolaids or Tums.
DiarrheaSome individuals may experience diarrhea on the program. Incorporating Imodium can help get rid of the diarrhea. If the diarrhea persists, we recommend discontinuing the product. Constant diarrhea can affect your electrolyte balance.
Bad BreathSome individuals may complain of bad breath or a funny taste in their mouth (usually referred to as a sweet or metallic taste). This is a result of being in the fat-burning state.
ConstipationSome individuals experience constipation on the program. This can result from lower food intake amounts, which slows down your system.
If these tips do not work, please consult with your physician. Hunger that doesn't go away?Click here for more information on hunger. If you continue to struggle with hunger beyond the first week or two, your stomach may be excreting more acid than needed for the small volume of food intake. This can create a "gnawing" sensation in your stomach that feels exactly like hunger. If you have a history of having an ulcer or gastritis, you can be particularly prone to this type of hunger problem. To manage hunger that won't go away, consider taking an acid-blocker medication such as Zantac®, Tagamet® or Pepcid AC®. You will find these in most drug stores or grocery stores – usually in the same location as antacids. Can I continue with the program if I catch a cold or get the flu?If you catch a cold or get the flu, you can stay on program provided your symptoms aren't too severe. Taking antibiotics (if necessary) won't harm your Plan, but they may temporarily slow your weight loss. Be sure to use MANAGING MUSCLE CRAMPSIf you experience muscle cramps while you’re on the Program, several strategies can help.
Preventing nighttime leg cramps:
Preventing cramps when you exercise
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  Ken struggled with weight issues his entire life. After failing over the years on many "Diets" he was ready to give up! Along came this wonderful program and he was finally able to get rid of the extra 58 lbs he carried around for years! |
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