Low-calorie-formula diets--are they safe?

Obese patients (44) were studied on a 320 kcal diet for one to two months. No ECG changes were seen in 43 patients. One patient showed a transient T wave inversion after six weeks dieting, but the significance of this finding is doubtful. We have found a 320 kcal formula diet a safe and effective method of out-patient weight reduction with no patient showing any ECG abnormality in the first four weeks of dieting. ECGs and medical supervision are recommended for patients maintained on low-calorie diets for periods longer than a month. Nitrogen balance reached equilibrium in five to six weeks. Biochemical estimations showed minor changes such as falls in the serum cholesterol and rises in the alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin, but no clinically important changes were observed. One patient on propranolol for hypertension developed postural hypotension and required substantial reduction of medication.