iP is the worst diet in te world...huh
 

Yesterday I was reading posts on Facebook and one of my friends made a post staying ip was the worst way to lose weight and whoever created it should be sued for creating so many health problems.

I responded what health problems...give me details. I did not say I had done it but said from everything I heard it was awesome. She responded with one of her friends has problems with her pancreas and another friend who is anutritionist swears it's the worst diet ever. I said I knew of people who lost weight and kept it off. Then I got the response of I did it and yes lost weight but had brutal headaches and I have never known anyone to keep it off except a co-worker...um that's someone thank you.

Really ticked me off when people bash it because it was not right for them and dismiss it as bogus.






Problems

She probably had trouble committing to the diet and following protocol, so rather than admit it was about her, there surely has to be something wrong with the diet. Probably just her way of justifying another failed diet?

Now that my weight loss is so dramatic I have had many people ask me what I am doing since I look so healthy and fabulous. I don't mind saying it now since it is hardly something they can criticize at this point. :lol: Of course you can always gain it back, no matter what you do, but I have not gotten those comments.

I actually can create serious health problems. It did for me. IP does not warn you at all and I would therefore not be surprised if there were a law suit in the future

Nutritionists and dietitians will bash it b/c it is unbalanced. Yup. It is. It BURNS FAT!

Haters gonna hate. Let em.

A few people have health problems. I've developed thyroid problems I didn't have before. But I was OBESE and had other issues due to obesity (including goiters, which could have been precursors to the hypo). I don't blame IP for anything except my weight loss.

I think IP may intensify underlying preexisting unknown issues in some people and bring them to the forefront.

I have a lot of health issues. IP did not create any of them. What it did was get a lot of weight off so a Dr could finally see a health problem and not immediately jump to the cause being i need to lose weight. I could see the possibility of individual clinics being negligent and not recognizing a health risk -so many of them are just in it for the money - but that is hardly due to Dr. Tran's protocol

I think IP should know and warn about possible problems with the thyroid on this diet. And Dr. Tran's protocol was developed for healthy athletes. Some dieters do have pre-existing health issues and any commercial protocol should take them into account and warn about them. IP specifically sells this diet as scientifically based making people believe there is absolutely no risk. Again the "clinics" are made to look like they would indeed monitor health. Some certainly do, others do not. The diet works great for weight loss, but it needs to be done with caution. All symptoms that develop on this diet are always wished away by saying your body is detoxifying and everything will be ok. It is important to note that some symptoms should be taken seriously.

Re-reading Dr Tran's book, he never meant this for long-term use.
He doesn't say what "long term" is but in his first book he's looking at women needing to drop about 10. This is VERY different than needing to lose 115 (crap... I STILL need to lose a little more than 10!!!).

I agree that there should be more emphasis on medical monitoring.

I still say my thyroid was already stressed (multi nodule goiter), although I wasn't hypo (yet). IP just placed added stress on an already stressed system. This is definitely when problems can develop, whether it is thyroid or kidney, or whatever.

My hypothyroidism was found before I started IP. I really don't think IP is what causes the problem. Mine was underlying for years, but never showed up on blood work. My genetic make-up is to blame; my mom, aunts, sister, etc. all have issues with their thyroid & none have ever used IP. My coach provided me with a paper that she gives all clients to let us know that we need to stay in touch with our general practitioner & continue to have regular blood work while on IP - especially if you are on IP for a long time & not just those of us with pre-existing conditions. As with all diet plans, your GP should always be in the loop.

I just found an old thread that has great discussion about the thyroid, soy products, & IP. The last time it was up & running was in 2011.

lisa32989 and kkids:

Yes, I agree with both of you. IP does not initially cause thyroid problems, but when you already are hypothyroid, even slightly, a very low carb diet will enhance you problems over time. I still have 20 lbs to loose, but I will not go back to IP for those reasons. I just can't tell how far the damage is going and whether it would be fully reversible. But the weight loss was great.

Lolo is the resident thyroid expert, thru her research!

What actually is funny is that thanks to IP I now know why I got sick and gained all that weight a couple of years ago because the IP diet let me to reproduce many of my old symptoms. I actually also did start a research project two years ago that has gone nowhere due to lack of funding. But the research was based on my symptoms with my favorite protein thrown in. The crazy thing is that my ideas at the time were based mostly on fiction (or I call it intuition). But I just realized that the project, which focuses on one of the main control switches that regulates fat storage versus fat usage is intersecting the liver T3 thyroid business I experienced thanks to IP. In fact, it is regulating the conversion of T4 to T3 and I already know that the activity of this control switch is regulated by insulin. Anyways, I just had to blabber it out here, since in essence I can study myself now. If NIH would give me some money that is.

Lolo is just giving her opinion and shouldn't be ridiculed for it.
I would never think that the IP diet is HEALTHY. Whoever thinks that is really naive, it helps you to lose weight fast, plain and simple.....not having the energy to do everyday activity such as housework etc cannot possibly be healthy.

It's a means to an end so please don't fool yourselves into thinking that eating packets full of soy and fake sugar is good for you vs eating wholesome nutritious food.

That being said - I do the diet because it helps me to lose the last few lbs that I've never been able to lose - I would never advocate the diet as being "healthy" because I certainly don't feel healthy on it.

Did I miss the ridicule part?

:?:
Who was ridiculing Lolo? I have the utmost respect for her research and have learned much from her, which is why I referred to her as our resident expert.
We have exchanged many conversations publicly and privately about it!

As far as IP being healthy, the company itself calls it an "unbalanced approach". Dr Tran Tein's book says P1 is not for long term.

If I can weigh in here, I just have to say that after two weeks on this "unhealthy" diet I was able to phase off of my diabetes meds (under dr's supervision)... I get my blood checked regularly (hypothyroid since I was 15) and my bloodwork has never looked better, including my liver levels which have been high for a long time due to fatty liver. I get that IP isn't meant for long term, but the changes I've experienced since being on this program have made me a believer (and supporter) of IP.

Point of clarification: PHASE ONE isn't meant for long term. P4 is. It may need individual adjusting based on individual health needs

I actually find I have increased energy on IP.

And in my situation, eating "packets full of soy and fake sugar" is better for me because clearly my obesity reflects my past poor eating habits. If I just ate wholesome nutritious foods my whole life, I doubt I would be on this forum. :)

That being said, if phase 1 was intended for long term, rest of your life, then no, it would not be healthy and I would not recommend it. Every diet program has its pros and cons, and I think that is why it is important to keep up to date with your doctor because we generally don't know we have/had an underlying condition until it presents itself.

I am sorry. I must of misunderstood your response to her. I thought when you called her a resident expert you were being sarcastic.

There is a massive difference between the effects of two weeks of PSMF dieting vs two months vs ten months.

Regardless, that is great news for you.

I am the opposite. I start off the day energetic but come midday I would literally fall asleep at my desk. Yawn all the time. I know it was the diet because I never felt this way before.

I am a medical novice, so I will not comment on all the technical and specific issues mentioned here.

What I do want to mention is that most people who begin a weight loss program, even something like Weight Watchers, are reminded and counseled to seek a physician's advice before beginning. Yes?

That said, we are people of free choice. We are free to read up on programs, read the caveats and warnings, check the program on the Internet, take books out of the library on health, weight loss, low carb high protein diets. I did all of those before beginning this.

However, my weight was something that was more potentially dangerous, both to my physical and my mental health, than the stated or possible risks of the program. It was my free choice to start the program and I made that choice.

Yes, I do pride myself on my intelligence and so when I am ready to make a decision, I base it partially on what I have read, asked, and debated beforehand and partially on my intuition and emotional needs.

I know that it is MY decision and therefore the consequences and results are MY responsibility. No one led me down the garden path and made me do this program.

For certain!

Bummer, that sucks. I do however find I'm super hot or freezing cold. No in-betweens!

I was on Phase 1 for one year and did not have any thyroid issues, just as a counterexample. My body fat percentage at this point is below 22, so I really do not have anything left to lose and would think it would have shown up by now if it was going to.

Lisa and I are talking pre-existing conditions that may be hypothyroidism or maybe something in addition. Not everybody has issues. But it is worth discussing some of the negative aspects, so other people do not run into the same issues. I think we both figured it out because we had issues about the same time and were on this board.

You will also all notice I STILL think IP is a GREAT diet! I just encourage medical monitoring to be sure nothing from any unknown underlying condition pops up unexpectedly, and if it does, can be dealt with

How do I find that thread?

Lolo, I'm interested in your research. I have been hypothyroid for over 10 years and take synthroid replacement daily. I don't know the connection between soy and thyroid, and would like to know more. Are ALL IP products soy based, and is THAT what causes the problems you describe? Would you be willing to summarize some of what you've learned about how IP affects thyroid - specifically in my case where I am already taking thyroid replacement for previously diagnosed hypothyroid? I realize you are not an MD and won't take it as medical advice. Thanks

I am a medical joke - really. If you've never heard of it, I have had it or still have it. That said, The first week was pure **** for me. Now, I'm ok - I wouldn't say I'm thrilled with my limited food options on Phase 1, but I know it's temporary. My health issues are the reason I chose IP over other diets/weight loss programs. I need to lose weight in the quickest way possible in the most structured way possible.

I can certainly see how this imbalanced diet could lead to other health concerns, dormant or not. However, my main issue at this very moment, is preserving my eye sight. The ONLY solution is losing weight, and I refuse bariatric surgery.

We all have to make the best choice for our individual needs. I have a great relationship with my PCP and all my specialists, and they are aware of the IP diet. I trust all of my doctors with my whole heart, mind, and body. They are the best of the best, and I am lucky to live where I do.

I would never tell anyone to try any diet - I would tell them to research it, look at the pros and cons, and then speak with their PCP.

I'm so glad you found Ideal Protein. It is the fastest way to safely lose weight that i have ever seen. I have a lot of health problems including allergies and sensitivities to so many foods that there is NOTHING on Ideal Protein that i can eat and avoid ALL of my problem foods! But I am under the support of an integrative physician and the health risks and complications of being 100 lbs overweight is far more dangerous than the affects of eating a little soy or dairy for me. The weight loss is far more important to my overall health right now than all of my other illnesses. And the phase 1 is not forever. Although it may feel like it sometimes.

As a side note - I can't even tolerate the alternative products. My reactions are more extreme and very noticeable. That shows me how much higher quality Ideal Protein is compared to a lot of what you can buy on the internet. If the alternatives work for you I say hallelujah! Enjoy them! (My coach would pass out if she heard me say that - eating alternative products is against IP protocol.) I try to find creativity in manipulating packets into different foods to satisfy my need for variety. (my favorite was pizza before i had to give up gluten!) The one thing that impressed me the most about ideal protein was that the whey protein comes from grass fed cows. For someone into a lot of organic, wholesome food, blah blah blah like myself - that is huge! They didn't have to use grass fed cows but they did. I have a lot of respect for that.

I have 100 lbs to lose to be at an "ideal" weight. I'm not sure that will ever happen because the last time i weighed 130 lbs i was 7 years old. My weight will not come off doing anything else. Not weight watchers, not Jenny Craig, not atkins, not anorexia, NOTHING! I've been a medical mystery to many doctors. Thank God for my holistic doctors who have discovered, leaky gut, adrenal fatigue, food allergies, extreme gluten intolerance that is not celiac, hashimoto's. I lose weight on ideal protein. A whopping .8 lbs a week so far. But that is up from zero so I have to keep my eye on the prize.

If I can do it you can do it. Hang in there and keep up the good work!

So happy you found something that is working for you.

I highlighted a couple of points though...of course alternatives are against IP protocol. They are a business, after all, and make money off sales.

Second...where did you hear that the whey is from grass-fed cows? I have never read or heard that.

Congrats!

My coach and i read it in one of the Ideal Protein documents about the quality of the whey protein used when we were discussing my food allergies.

If the protein source were truly organic and from only grass-fed cows, believe me, it would be plastered all over their packaging. It is for some of the alts I've purchased!

This topic has come up before. Until they meet the standards to say it on the package, I suspect the rumored claims.

She is probably just jealous!

???
who is this addressed to?

I think my inital post about the friend who was bashing IP.