Devised by nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, the Fat Flush diet plan proposes that by detoxifying yourself you can enhance your liver's ability to work at its peak level, improving your health while speeding up weight loss. The question is, can you really ?flush the fat? or is this just another money-making diet gimmick?



The Fat Flush diet plan is based upon essential fats, balanced proteins plus healthy carbs. The diet also recommends ?cleansing? tonics such as unsweetened cranberry juice and water, and hot water and lemon juice, as well as many herbs and spices which apparently can aid your weight loss.

Very few clinical studies have been able to support this diet or other detox diets and the majority of experts are cynical about the notion of ?fat flushing?. Jane Kirby, a registered dietitian, states that the idea of the liver being a fat-burning furnace that you can rev up just by eating certain foods "deserves to be flushed" itself. She also explains that this claim is baseless and says most people lose weight when calories are cut low, as they are on the Fat Flush diet plan which is just a low-calorie diet.

Judith S. Stern, Sc.D., R.D., vice president of the American Obesity Association says "The liver doesn't need to be detoxified. Give me a break." Stern also reminds us that muscle, not the liver, burns fat and lumps the Fat Flush diet plan with others that make unsupported claims. "All of these kinds of books offer pseudoscience," she says. "Pseudoscience is wonderful because it promises you everything, but that's all it is -- a fantasy."

For exercise, you're recommended to ?bounce off fat? on a mini-trampoline and walk regularly. The Fat Flush diet plan claims that you can remove cellulite-like deposits on hips and thighs just by following this advice. However, it would have been better to recommend more effective and proven exercises, especially when you consider that the most people have a serious exercise deficiency.

I have also written many times about the myth that walking burns more fat than more intense exercise such as running, cycling and swimming. While it is true that low-intensity exercise like walking burns a greater percentage of fat, higher intensity exercise burns far more actual fat calories. In other words, if you want to melt the fat off, it's not going to be a walk in the park (pun intended!).

It can also be quite expensive if you follow the Fat Flush diet plan closely and purchase the recommended foods and supplements. Many of these can be hard to find and are not for those on a limited budget. You are instructed to buy unsweetened cranberry juice, whey protein powder, high-lignan flax oil, and organic foods, although some of the additional weight loss supplements are optional.

The Fat Flush diet plan can also be quite time-consuming, as you are expected to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, and cook and prepare all meals yourself. Due to the nature of the Fat Flush diet plan you will need to be very committed and have a lot of willpower to lose a significant amount of weight on this diet.

Also note that many basic carb foods such as bread and potatoes are off-limits during phase 1 of the Fat Flush diet plan and since it is a low-calorie diet it will no doubt result in water and muscle loss for many individuals ? such diets do not simply burn fat. While this diet may be effective for some, it requires a lot of dedication and it is not as healthy as it is portrayed.