Have you ever tried to lose weight? If you did so, then you've probably tried a lot of diets your friends and neighbors told you about, or you tried what you've seen on TV. Several years ago, the Atkins diet was on everybody's lips, likewise today the South Beach diet or similar methods and plans to lose some weight.
Such diets, which don't have a scientific basis for their supposed mechanism of action, have been called fad diets. One of the most widespread is the cabbage soup diet. The subject has to eat for 7 days nothing but this cabbage soup, in any quantities. I think it is too drastic even for a healthy body to be deprived of so many nutrients for so many days.
Another similar diet, but not so restrictive is the grapefruit diet: this is a clone of the well-known Atkins diet, with an addition: half grapefruit needs to be consumed at each of the three daily meals. While it is permitted to eat as much as you need at each meal, there is an interdiction of taking any snacks between the main meals. This diet is based on a belief that the grapefruit contains an enzyme which acts like a catalyst in burning the body fat, thus producing a healthy weight loss. However, there was no scientific evidence of this fact, and besides, due to its acidity, grapefruit can be dangerous for the stomach.
Fad diets are so popular maybe because people hate going to doctors, so they don't feel like visiting a nutritionist to help them deal with their weight issues. I believe that each body is unique, therefore the best results could be obtained with diets which are especially tailored for you by specialists.
As a conclusion, please be aware that each diet has its potential dangers for the body and for internal organs, and that some fruits, like grapefruit can interact with drugs, resulting in significant health troubles, especially if you suffer from chronic diseases. Always ask a doctor, and at the first signs of health troubles stop your diet immediately. Some changes in your metabolism may be irreversible.
