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Who should not use the Diet?

 

Medication and Medical Conditions

Anyone who is considering any weight loss programme should consult their doctor before they start. If you chose to follow the Sole Source programme your Consultant will inform you doctor.

For the purposes of weight loss using the Cambridge Diet, Cambridge has identified four safety categories of medical condition and medication:

A Contraindicated you should not use ANY programme
B Not Low Calorie only use programmes above 12
C Special Precautions you can use any programme, although your doctor may need to adjust medication
D Other Medication you can use any programme
E Diabetes there is a separate protocol for diabetes sufferers. Your Consultant will have more details

If you are in any doubts or have any questions concerning any related medical matter, first check the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website. Or send an e-mail to our Medical Advisor.


A - Contraindicated

Medical Condition

The Cambridge Diet should not be used in any weight loss programme by the following people:

Medication

Anti-Obesity Drugs

It is unnecessary for these drugs to be taken when a Cambridge weight-loss programme is followed. If the drugs are not discontinued, then the Cambridge Diet must not be used.

MAOI

Mono-amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are sometimes prescribed as anti-depressants and are contraindicated with the Cambridge Diet.


B - Not Low Calorie

Anyone taking these medicines must not use the Cambridge Diet Sole Source, Sole Source Plus, 810 or 1000 kcal programmes. This category includes

Anti-coagulants

Anti-coagulants, anti-thrombotics and fibrolytics all reduce the clotting time of blood. They are frequently prescribed following open heart surgery, heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis, arterial thrombosis.

Anti-arrhythmia (Digoxin)

This medicine is used to correct irregularities in the heart rate associated with heart failure. The blood levels of this medicine are normally difficult to balance. A reduced calorie intake could increase this instability by allowing more rapid absorption.

Anti-convulsants

Anti-convulsant drugs are used to treat epilepsy and seizures.

Lithium

Lithium is used to treat severe psychiatric disorders. A reduced calorie intake will increase the absorption rate of this drug which may alter the blood levels. As a constant level is essential for successful treatment and to prevent toxic effects occurring, it should not be used with the Cambridge Diet.


C - Special Precautions

Because of the low calorific level in the Cambridge Diet, people taking certain medicines may need their doctor to adjust the dosage level. In some cases, the doctor may need to discontinue medication completely. Customers in this group should have their progress monitored by their doctor.

Every customer taking one of the medicines which falls into the 'Special Precautions' category must get the doctor's signature of confirmation on the Medical Record Form provided by the Consultant.

Anti-hypertensives

Anti-hypertensive drugs are used to reduce raised blood pressure. This group includes beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists, vasodilators, alpha-blockers, central alpha-agonists and diuretics.

Diuretics

Diuretics (water tablets) are frequently used for the treatment of mild to moderate high blood pressure (hypertension). It is advisable for the doctor to stop a customer's diuretic medication before the Cambridge Diet is begun.

Gout prevention

All VLCDs produce a rise in serum uric acid levels during the first two weeks, which may lead to an acute attack of gout in known sufferers. Preventative treatment with a uricosuric agent should be given concurrently with the Cambridge Diet from the day of commencement.


D - Other Medication

All other medications can be used with all the Cambridge weight-loss programmes. However, Consultants should still get the customer to ask for their doctor's signed confirmation that the information stated on their Medical Record Form is correct. This does not apply to the contraceptive pill and HRT - see below.

Anti-depressants

Severe depression is a contraindication for the Sole Source or Sole Source Plus programme so check that any customer on anti-depressant medication is only mildly depressed.

Thyroid & Anti-Thyroid

The medication in this section is designed either to replace deficient thyroid hormones or to block thyroid hormone production. As far as the Cambridge Diet is concerned, they are considered together. Thyroid control does not have to be perfect and users can take all Cambridge programmes. However, it would be sensible to delay use of the Diet until the customer has settled on their medication for two months or so.

Steroids

Although these may be taken in conjunction with the Cambridge Diet, customers may experience a lower rate of weight loss.

Anti-arthritics

These are known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and are widely prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis, gout, rheumatic pain, sports injuries and general aches and pains.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat all kinds of infection, from bronchitis to a septic finger. Always check the underlying medical condition - anyone with a serious infection should not be contemplating weight loss until they are fully recovered.

Contraceptives

The Pill

The contraceptive pill is used to prevent conception. They are almost always prescribed under their trade names and most women are well aware if they are taking one of them.

The Cap

Women using the contraceptive cap should be advised to see their Family Planning advisor every time there is a weight change of 3kg (7lbs) to check whether a different size is required.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormonal medicines are sometimes given to treat more serious conditions, such as breast, kidney or prostate cancer. In such cases it is absolutely essential to consult the doctor and get his or her signature of approval. If in doubt, insist on the doctor's signature.

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