The Ideal Protein weight loss method treats weight issues at its source. By the time you reach your weight loss goal, you will have transformed your body’s ability to metabolize sugar by reeducating your pancreas to produce only the right amount of insulin needed. • The Ideal Diet aims at reducing carbohydrates and fats, not protein. In doing so, it preserves muscle tissue and protects vital organs to secure their proper function. In other words, you will lose fat, not muscle. • The Ideal Protein weight loss method features up to a whopping 20 grams of protein per portion, twice as much as most of the competition. • The Ideal Protein Weight loss method features a high biological protein, complete with eight (8) essential amino acids, that recreates 100% of the biological value of a complete protein for maximum assimilation and absorption. • The Ideal Protein Weight loss method is less toxic than other protein diets because it features less saturated fats, no trans fats, no aspartame, no Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and no Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Our protocol is safe for everyone, except those with dysfunctional liver or kidneys. Type I diabetics should only do the Alternative protocol and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should only use the Ideal Protein’s protein foods to supplement their diet. Potential Dieters with other chronic medical conditions may require prior approval of their physician.

Although many people do not experience any discomfort and feel utterly satisfied throughout the protocol, some may experience “withdrawal” symptoms during the first few days of the diet. This is absolutely normal and should even be anticipated, especially by those who are used to consuming a lot of processed foods, sweets and salty foods (the 4 common symptoms are headaches, fatigue, mild nausea, and hunger).

The protocol would be considered a medium to low calorie diet whereas the Alternative Plan, which incorporates additional foods from Groups I, II and III, would be considered a medium calorie diet. Neither protocol are considered a hypo protein diet, nor a hyper protein diet. The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method offers the optimal quantity of proteins, vitamins and minerals required to ensure the proper functioning of all body systems.

Yes. People with high blood pressure are often overweight and will definitely benefit from the protocol. However, they will have to be mindful of their salt intake, as prescribed by their physician. In addition certain anti-hypertensives can cause retention of potassium, which could be a concern. These include the diuretics ‘spironolactone’, and ‘triamterene’, “ACE-inhibitors” (the ‘pril drugs’), and ARB’s.

Diabetics have so much to gain from our protocol because regulating blood glucose is at the very heart of our method. While we cannot reverse Type I Diabetes, we can help those afflicted to lose weight. However, our Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method can help Type II diabetics achieve better blood sugar control, often with reduced medications and in many cases, without any medication. People who suffer from hypoglycemia can also follow our weight loss method as hypoglycemia is usually due to an over-production of insulin and NOT a lack of carbohydrates. These folks generally see their symptoms improve by WEEK 2 of the Regular Diet. Still, diabetics need to be particularly vigilant on our protocol. In the first few weeks, people suffering from hypoglycemia should not exercise as much as usual in order to facilitate the reeducation of their pancreas and give their body a chance to readjust to its new eating habits. As well, they should stock up on the Ideal Protein Peach Mango drink, in case they find themselves in the midst of a low blood sugar crisis, which is predictable in their case. When it happens, they should sit down, breathe deeply and reach for an Ideal Protein Peach Mango drink. It will calm them instantly. They must be confident in the knowledge that their body, more specifically their pancreas, will, in time, soon, readjust itself to function as it was originally intended by nature. In addition the coach should explain the common symptoms of hypoglycemia which include: rapid heart rate, numbness or tingling in the fingertips or lips, hunger, and nervousness so the dieter knows what to do should this occur.

Our protocol is most likely safe but we still recommend that your physician is consulted prior to beginning. Remember, Ideal Protein foods are real foods, drug-free with no stimulants. Each Ideal Protein envelope is the equivalent, nutritionally, to a chicken breast, a small filet mignon or a filet of fish. Of course many medications are dosed by body weight (mg/kg), thus, as the dieter loses weight many medications will have to be re-dosed by the physician (this is a good thing!).

There is no problem with a person being on the protocol who has had a history of gout. High uric acid levels are a part of Syndrome X and the program will help them long term. As stated in the "Explanation of the Health Profile" if a patient has a history of gout, it would be prudent for the doctor (MD or DO) to put them on a preventative drug such as Allopurinol - 300 mgs once a day for the duration of Phase 1 and 2. It is imperative that the Coach instructs folks with a history of gout (or kidney stones) to drink a MINIMUM of 3 liters of water per day. Finally, our protein isolates contain no purines like whole meats/fish do. These are the substances that get transformed to uric acid and can cause gout flares. These folks should also be instructed to limit caffeine intake which can also increase uric acid levels.

The protocol is fine for gastric bypass / lapband patients...both for losing weight and to provide a great source of protein in a very small volume of food. Lap-Banders will do well with protocol or using “IP FOODS” as supplements.

Yes. However, we would recommend the dieter get approval from her primary care MD or Oncologist as Estrogen levels can fluctuate due to their release from fat cell stores and we don't want to stimulate a hormone receptor positive cancer.

1. “Ketosis” is completely safe providing the liver and kidneys are functioning properly and the dieter is capable of producing insulin (this is why the regular protocol is contra-indicated in Tye I Diabetics). Many people (medical professionals included) have a wrong idea about "ketosis". They confuse this with the pathological condition of "ketoacidosis", which can be a life-threatening condition. Ketosis just refers to the state of metabolism the body is in when it is using fat for the primary energy source, this is how our ancestors survived during times of famine (we live off our fat reserves). It is perfectly normal and healthy. We all do a little "ketosis" every night when we sleep. As we fast during the night, blood sugar drops.

To maintain proper glucose homeostasis, the body does a couple of things:

• The liver can release some glycogen which is converted to glucose

• Some muscle can be catabolized and glucose can be produced via gluconeogenesis

• Fat cells can release some of their contents (triglycerides) and these can be metabolized in the liver to ketonic bodies (a high energy fuel source) and glucose.

We simply, through the protocol, keep the dieter in the state where the body is using its stored energy (fat) for the primary fuel source. We offer the MINIMUM adequate amount of high quality protein only to spare the muscle (remember the body can break down muscle to get glucose and this is what happens in many other diets and is the main reason why deters typically yo-yo.) When you lose muscle, your metabolism slows and you are more likely to regain your weight.

Diverticulitis (DV) is a condition where the "Diverticuli"- thousands of little ridges (hills and valleys) that line the intestines so as to increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients have a propensity to becoming inflamed. In some people these become enlarged (diverticulosis) and food particles can become trapped in them. Sometimes this causes an inflammatory response and they get swollen or infected and it hurts (diverticulitis). Our protein doesn't aggravate this, but the required veggies and lettuce can. For this reason patients with a history of DV should puree their veggies/lettuce, spinach etc. And use the puree in one of the soups.

The kidneys are extensively involved in acid / base balance and gluconeogenesis, two processes which play a major part in the Ideal Protein Diet. For this reason, severe kidney dysfunction is a contraindication for the program. Many patients with “Syndrome X” will present with impaired renal function (GFR < 60 ml/min). Patients with impaired function (between 38 and 60 ml/min) may be placed on the program, but GFR must be re-checked within 6 to 8 weeks. Most patients will show an improvement or at least will remain the same. If the GFR decreases, the program should be discontinued! If a candidate’s GFR is not normal, written consent must be obtained from the primary care physician or specialist as is the case. Elevated uric acid levels are a common abnormality with “Syndrome Xer’s”. These levels will improve as insulin sensitivity and acid / base balance improves, as a result of our protocol. If a patient has a history of gout and/or kidney stones we should have them monitor the pH of their urine, particularly during the first 3 weeks of the program. Maintaining a urinary pH of about 6.5 to 7.0 is very important. You can check this with NITRAZINE (NitraTest) paper. Should their urine be lower than that, prescribers may order PolyCitra-K (1 packet 2 to 3 times a day). Nonprescribers may recommend 1/2 tsp. of baking soda in 4-5 oz. of water 2 to 3 times a day. These folks should also be told to drink an additional liter of water per day (3 liters/ day). See paper on Gout, Kidney Stones and the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method.

Patients with a history of acid reflux (GERD) will normally see their symptoms completely resolve within two weeks. If this is the case, advise the physician to discontinue PPI therapy (stop Nexium, Aciphex, Prilosc, etc) as these drugs have a negative impact on acid / base balance. If a patient’s symptoms abate, but some GERD is still present occasionally, recommend an H2 antagonist such as Zantac, Pepcid or Tagamet, or even a liquid antacid such as Mylanta Supreme, instead of a PPI (these drugs do not inhibit the proton-pump system and acid / base regulation will not be as negatively compromised). WATCH SUGAR CONTENT OF LIQUID ANTACIDS! (particularly generic brands, Mylanta Supreme is fine).