weight loss news
Increased Effectiveness of the Weight Loss Drug, Meridia, When Used with
OPTIFAST.
Mpls. MN February 2001: Researchers at the University of
Pennsylvania Medical Center (Archives of Internal Medicine, Jan. 22, 2001) found
that obese women treated for 16 weeks with a combination of a 1000 kcal/day diet
(OPTIFAST meal replacement formula and regular foods), Abbott Laboratories
weight loss medication, Meridia®, and a comprehensive lifestyle
modification program lost significantly more weight, than did women in the other
treatment groups who did not consume OPTIFAST.
After 16 weeks of treatment, women in the OPTIFAST group lost an average of
35.5 lbs., approximately 3 times more weight than those treated with just
Meridia, and 1-1/2 times more weight than those treated with Meridia and
lifestyle modification classes. After 1 year (36 weeks after completing the
active weight loss phase of the study), the women who had received OPTIFAST
continued to manage their weight more successfully than those in the other two
groups. The OPTIFAST group maintained 4 times more of its initial weight loss
compared to the Meridia alone group and 1.5 more of its weight loss than the
Meridia plus lifestyle classes group.
The results of this study demonstrate that the combination of a low calorie
diet including OPTIFAST meal replacement formula and a comprehensive lifestyle
program produces very substantial weight loss, and underscores the value of the
traditional OPTIFAST weight management program.
The core of the OPTIFAST treatment program is a comprehensive,
multidisciplinary approach to weight loss and weight maintenance. The program
includes in-depth counseling in behavior modification, lifestyle change,
nutrition education, and exercise instruction. Medical monitoring, maintenance
support, and the use of specially designed, high quality nutrition formulas that
meet daily nutrition requirements are also key elements.
Over the past 20 years, OPTIFAST has been used by over one million people
worldwide, and the program is continually evolving in order to provide clients
with state of the art weight management techniques. While new therapies, such as
drug treatment, continue to emerge, it is still diet, exercise and lifestyle
change therapy that remain the cornerstones for effective obesity treatment.
OPTIFAST therapy provides all of these essential components.
Click here to find an
OPTIFAST Clinic near you.