The Fat Flush plan is a blend of dieting and detoxification. The plan was developed by nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, who holds a Ph.D. in holistic nutrition. Gittleman, self-proclaimed "first lady of nutrition" maintains that if you follow her restricted calorie diet and cleansing formula you can speed up your metabolism, eliminate water weight and encourage fat loss. There are a few side effects linked to the Fat Flush plan.
Menstruation
The Fat Flush plan may disturb the regular menstrual cycle in some women. Gittleman says taking black currant seed oil as a gamma linolenic acid (omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid) may help to balance hormones and promote regular periods. Gittleman says the fat loss experienced on the Fat Flush plan may reduce estrogen stores, which can cause periods to become irregular or stop. Gittleman says a slight weight gain (three to five pounds) can correct the imbalance.
Metabolism
The caloric intake (1,100 to 1,200 per day) allowed in the early phase of the Fat Flush plan may be exceedingly low for some individuals, especially men. This substantial reduction in calories could cause the metabolism to become sluggish. The symptoms of a slow metabolism include constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness, depression and possible weight gain.
Risks
According to Gittleman, the weight loss formula in her Fat Flush kit contains greater amounts of chromium and L-carnitine than other fat burner products in order to maximize fat burning. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says L-carnitine supplements can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. They can also cause a "fishy" body odor. In rare cases L-carnitine may cause muscle weakness in people with kidney disorders. According to the Mayo Clinic, chromium appears to be relatively safe but it is not apt to promote weight loss.
