All DietsWhat You Should Know
The Dr. Bernstein Diet is a low calorie diet plan developed by physician Dr. Stanley Bernstein, an Ontario-based physician with numerous weight loss clinics in Canada and the United States. He originally developed his plan from the VLCD (Very Low Calorie) diet, although he argues his diet is not a VLCD Diet because dieters consume between 850-950 calories per day and VLCD diet is typically under 800 calories. This Dr. Bernstein modified VLCD diet combines low calorie dieting with B vitamin injections, which he claims will allow patients to lose up to 20lbs per month safely.
Dr. Bernstein’s diet is not without controversy, as are most VLCD diets. Nevertheless, Dr. Bernstein assures dieters this is a safe weight loss program. All dieters are supervised by clinical staff in a licensed weight loss clinic owned by Dr. Bernstein, giving dieters full, around-the-clock support. You must either be a Canadian citizen or a resident of Florida or Virginia to participate in this program, however, and the cost is no laughing matter — the first consultation costs $235, and additional services (such as injection sessions or additional consultations) costs $100 on average. The average dieter will need to pay $500 to $1000 per month to participate in Dr. Bernstein’s program, which is certainly not within everyone’s reach.
If the financial limitation of participating in this program is not a turn off, the controversy surrounding the diet might pose a bigger risk to obese participants.
Ingredients
There are no ingredients, but you will need to buy Dr. Bernstein’s books and receive weekly B vitamin injections.
Product Features
There is very little information about the actual diet available, but testimonials should provide more clues on its viability. VLCD diets are usually considered dangerous, and Dr. Bernstein’s Diet is no exception — one participant died from complications in 1988. Other participants report nausea and dizziness, but Dr. Bernstein claims this is a result of dieters not following the program. Dieters deny this, making this diet highly controversial.
Another concern is the B vitamin injections, which are injected weekly as part of a weight loss regimen. Dr. Bernstein claims this helps break down fat and increase weight loss. There are no conclusive studies showing that B vitamins increase weight loss by breaking down fat, but this injection is instrumental as part of this weight loss plan.
One part that is true about the Dr. Bernstein Diet? The weight loss itself — the caloric restriction will increase weight loss, mostly due to starvation mode. This occurs when a person consumes less than 1,000 calories per day, which leads to substantial weight loss. This also increases numerous health risks, such as heart attack and malnutrition.
Advantages
- Low caloric intake will lead to weight loss.
- It is celebrity endorsed. They claim Dr. Bernstein’s plan was successful.
Disadvantages
- Weight loss is too rapid and potentially dangerous.
- You can only participate in select clinics in the United States and Canada.
- It is very expensive and poses too many health risks. (See reader comments.)
Conclusion
The Dr. Bernstein Diet will produce some weight loss results, and many testimonials claim that users have lost up to 20lbs per month, but the health risks associated with this diet program might be too much. Dieters are strongly encouraged to consult with a doctor before embarking on this program, as some side effects could be deadly. The diet will yield results, but health is always key to safe weight loss.
I started this diet last July 09 at the weight of 176. I am 5′8″ and have been overweight most of my life. It has always been a #1 struggle of my life. I decided since I had turned 50 that year I would change my life.
Dr. Bernstein’s changed my life! I was down to 138 lb by mid Sept (2 1/2 months). I went from size 12/14 to size 5/6. I have been on the maintenance program for 4 months and still weigh the same.
It is not a hoax and the medical attention one receives from the doctors and nurses makes this diet the best in my opinion.
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Like Heidi, I am 5′-7″ and was 178 when I started. It took me 2 1/2 months to get to my goal of 135 lbs. I didn’t find it diffucult at all, except when I was socializing. There were a few days in the beginning when I felt a bit dizzy and nauseous but after that I felt great. I also ran almost daily, and was allowed an extra protein serving for that. That was over 2 years ago. Since then, I am holding steady, without feeling like I am dieting at all, at 145. The Dr. B diet helped me to completely rethink how I was eating, how much I was eating and what I was eating. I simply do not want to eat as much as I used to, which is what makes it so easy now.
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This diet is not healthy.if it works/ed for you then consider urself a lucky survivor.Why would anyone want to try and live their lives like that?The expense is incredible.Quite honestly,I did try this diet and lost weight.C’mon who wouldn’t?I also payed too much to do it.Guess wat happened? I couldn’t afford this stupid diet anymore and had to quit.My weight came back..unfortunately my money didn’t.This diet is for the incredibly rich.Period.Weight watchers is better for the normal income ppl.Nutritionist and walking work well for those of us that have NO money.Don’t get sucked into this Dr B crap.You will not be able to afford to stay skinny!
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sucks to be you! I am doing it, and I KNOW the only way the weight will come back on is if I choose to not eat properly after the dieting stops.
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Not healthy! Why do you think he’s giving out Vitamin C injections?
Vitamin C helps your body absorb the nutrients from the food you’re eating. He’s just cheating his way out and you still starve yourself in the end.
Pure waste of money.
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uh,…it’s Vit. B injections silly!
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hi, i started the b diet 5 months ago and lost 73 pounds, now i am in the maintenance program and i love it. IF you eat exactly like they tell you to eat then you won’t feel dizy and your health won’t be affected, if you cheat and the try not eating at all for 2 days until your next injection then of course u get sick and blame the diet. in my oppinion this is the best diet for people who commit to it.i don’t see the point in paying all that money and going home and cheating.for those of you who can’t stop complaining about this diet I have one advice: don’t do it!!!! stay fat if that is better than controling your food intake. It’s a lifestile and u have to chose what u want to be: FAT or SLIM! I chose slim and so far at 130 pounds I am the happiest I’ve ever been.Only people who can’t control themselves have something bad to say about this diet.and for the record, the nurses are great,don’t belive all those horror stories that people tell you,if u eat only what u r supposed to then there is no need for them to kick u off the program, but if u stuff your face like a pig and have the nerve to show up the next day for a urine check…then common…it’s comon sense!
good luck and enjoy your skinny selves!
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I started with dr B in January 2010 and in 9 weeks I am now down 35 pounds not the 4-5 pound per week I was hoping for, but still I am happy. I agree with the others if you start on this diet you have to start it with the conviction to change your life style I think (I hope) that does not mean I will neverhave a cookie again but all has to be with modesty. I have about 20 pounds to go, and must admid that I do have my days that I would like a bad snack, but I refrain! I actually overheard the other day people complaining about constantly feeling hungry, I do not have that problem, the nurses tell me it is because if you do not stick to the diet you will be hungry due to sugar spikes. Loosing weight will only work if you want to change your attitude against food. DrB. helps me to keep on track and focussed. I know many people who have done it and kept it off and they are normal people, are back at drinking wine etc. I guess it is true what they say: You are what you eat, so if you do not want to be fat you should not eat fat.
I am now from a size 18 to a size 14 and those are already getting too big. I am realistic I will never expect to be an 8 but a size 10/12 is where I want to be and not the 18. In fact I have given all my fat clothes away, I do not want to spend money on fat clothes I’d rather spend them on a visit at Dr.B clinic. It is expensive and I guess you could do it through weightwatchers or other programs, I just like the thought of regular check-ins and docter visits.
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