The Medifast diet is based on a collection of low-calorie prepared foods. While on the diet, you choose your daily meals from among Medifast's food items. The foods are designed to provide fewer calories than your body needs, thus making your body burn fat to make up for the energy you would ordinarily get from food. The Medifast program lists a number of potential health effects and recommends that you consult a physician before starting the Medifast diet.
Leg Cramps
People on the Medifast diet may experience leg cramps due to a lack of potassium in the Medifast meals, according to Medifast. If you have leg cramps, Medifast recommends consuming either one of Medifast's bouillon cubes or its soups to help increase your potassium levels. Since too much potassium in the body may interfere with heart function, you should see a doctor before adding potassium supplements to your diet, according to Medifast.
Digestive Problems
A change to the Medifast diet may cause digestive problems such as gas, diarrhea, or constipation, according to Medifast. You may use over-the-counter medications to help alleviate these symptoms, which often occur temporarily as a result of changing to a new diet. However, since diarrhea and constipation can be dangerous to your health if they continue, Medifast recommends seeing your doctor if these last more than a few days. Continued gas may be a sign of lactose intolerance. You can try switching to Medifast's lactose-free foods or taking a lactase supplement to counteract gas, according to Medifast.
Symptoms from Decreased Caloric Intake
Feeling cold, feeling dizzy, and hair loss are all possible health effects from Medifast that result from the low amount of calories the diet provides, according to Medifast. If you feel cold, Medifast recommends using their hot foods and wearing extra clothing. People who feel dizzy should try a Medifast soup or bouillon and see their doctors to monitor medications. Finally, hair loss can be countered with a flaxseed or fish oil supplement. Because of the low caloric intake involved, pregnant or nursing women, seniors, teenagers, and people with gout, diabetes, or recovering from bariatric surgery should not follow the Medifast diet, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
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