The Radiant Health diet is offered up by a company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The plan calls for following a low-carbohydrate diet, a moderate exercise program and utilizing what it deems "proper" supplementation. Always check with a health care provider before trying a new supplement, diet or exercise program.
Identification
Radiant Health advises dieters to use several supplements that the company manufactures. These include a product that provides essential fatty acids that you take twice daily, a mineral formulation and an "herbal essence" product that you take twice a day. The "herbal essence" formula is supposed to cleanse your body of pesticides, chemicals and other undesirable substances, according to product information. The company does not release an ingredient list for most of its products, but the mineral formulation includes boron, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, selenium, manganese and potassium.
Theories/Speculation
Radiant Health advises that carbohydrates cause obesity, and therefore tells you to follow a high-protein and low-carb eating plan. You are not supposed to eat any food that has 5g of carbohydrate or more. You also limit your sugar consumption to 12g a day. The company also advises dieters that the U.S. Department of Agriculture food pyramid is incorrect, and that misinformation regarding the proper way to eat is leading to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The MayoClinic.com advises that low-carb diets can help you lose weight but are difficult to maintain long-term, partly due to the rigid lists of "bad" or "good" foods. Weight regain is common if you go off your low-carb diet, note the experts at the clinic, who advise a slow and steady weight loss based on fruits, whole grains, vegetables and lean protein sources.
Types
The foods the Radiant Health diet encourages on its version of the food pyramid include all types of meat and fish, eggs, cream cheese, vegetables, herbs, seeds and nuts. The list of foods to avoid on the Radiant Health plan include milk, apples, popcorn, bananas, peas, oranges, potatoes, pears and soda.
Features
Radiant Health believes in moderate exercise, 30 minutes three times per week. This differs from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which calls for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week, plus moderate- or high-intensity muscle-strengthening activities that hit all major muscle groups two or more days a week.
Considerations
Low carbohydrate diets can cause health issues, according to Oregon State University. You may risk nutrient deficiencies if the supplements you consume do not provide all vitamins and minerals that you miss when limiting food choices. You also raise your risk for kidney damage because this organ must work harder when you follow a high-protein diet. Your kidneys need to excrete extra amounts of minerals including potassium, which is included in the Radiant Health mineral supplement, as well as extra sodium and calcium. Higher levels of protein by-products also tax your kidneys.
You raise your risk for ketoacidosis as well, reports BBC News. This is a condition in which dangerous levels of acidic substances called ketones build up in your blood. It is potentially fatal.
Radiant Health posts a disclaimer on its website, saying its information is not meant to treat or prevent any disease and that its statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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