Optislim is a company focused on promoting weight loss through food. The claim of rapid weight loss relies on you following a low-calorie diet or a very-low-calorie diet. Research (i.e., Healthcare) shows some very low-calorie diets are unsafe.
A licensed medical professional monitors the most extremely calorie-restrictive diets; this plan isn’t monitored. However, our team wanted to understand better the potential benefits of dietary changes related to weight loss. So, we focused on the meal plans, the benefits of calorie restrictions, and research supporting the claims. Then, we gathered the facts to give you the bottom line.
What is Optislim?
Optislim, originating from Australia, is a Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) designed as a nutritionally balanced total meal replacement. Originally developed to assist obese individuals in weight reduction, the program is tailored to provide a practical approach to weight management. The manufacturer claims that when three sachets are consumed daily, Optislim fulfills all essential nutritional requirements, incorporating 25 vitamins and minerals. It’s noteworthy, however, that these assertions stem from the company’s promotional material.
In addition to the VLCD program, Optislim offers a Low-Calorie Diet (LCD) alternative that involves partial meal replacement. The product range includes an assortment of items such as cookies, bars, soups, shakes, and main course dishes like beef stroganoff and chili con carne, all accessible through the official website. Presently, Optislim offers four distinct programs addressing weight loss, detoxing, toning, and ongoing weight management. The company contends that their meals not only contribute to weight management but also boast palatable flavors and affordability, though these aspects remain subject to individual preferences and interpretations.
Can you lose weight with meal replacements? Let’s take a brief look at what research has to say.
- Obesity Reviews – Though “Meal replacements are generally not recommended in clinical guidelines for the management of obesity,” research shows they are effective.
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition – There’s even some evidence the meal replacement works best for lasting weight loss when combined with behavior therapy.
- Gastroenterology – The trouble is, keeping weight off is hard. “Maintaining weight losses in the long term remains the biggest challenge and is undermined by an “obesogenic” environment and biological adaptations that accompany weight loss.”
From what we gathered, Optislim has been around since 1996. Some success stories posted on the company website and a decent variety of low-calorie foods and supplements are available but read on.
Optislim Contact Information
You can contact customer service in several ways.
Email: customerservice@optipharm.com.au
Free Call: 1800 882 408
Phone: +61 3 9562 6600
Fax: +61 3 9562 6990
Address: OPTIPHARM PTY LTD 49 Bond Street, Mordialloc, VIC, 3195 Australia
Optislim and the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Optislim is not mentioned by the BBB. No filed has been opened, so no customer or BBB rating. The likely reason is that Optislim is located in Australia where it may appear on the local version of the BBB there.
Taste of Optislim – “A Concern?”
The first thing we looked into with OptiSlim was the taste. Our Research Editor states, “We found all sorts of negative customer reviews about the food and supplements. This is a major drawback because if you can’t stomach the diet foods/supplements involved, you probably can’t commit to the diet.”
One customer said, “A waste of money and food is [bad].”
“These shakes taste really awful. No Thanks!” said another dieter.
Side Effects – “A Drawback?”
Some people have experienced OptiSlim side effects from the supplements. One customer commented, “My husband has been using Optislim and has been…dizzy.”
Another user stated, “When I stopped drinking it, my headaches had gone. I went back on the shakes a month later, and my headaches returned!!!”
The intensive research we’ve conducted has shown if there is a specific aspect of a diet program or supplement burdensome (too many side effects, unpleasant taste, a painful exercise), the odds of real fat loss success are not good. In other words, if Optislim does, in fact, lead to adverse reactions in a lot of people, this could be a real dilemma.
The Science – “Any Evidence?”
We could not find any solid science provided on the official Optislim website. While we know seriously reducing your daily caloric intake will lead to weight reduction, you can also accomplish this without the Optislim program. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, reducing caloric intake and fasting can be done by keeping track of your food and following an eating schedule.
When it comes to very-low-calorie diets, the research is mixed. While research published in Obesity (Silver Spring) found this kind of dieting did not cause more weight loss than regular low-calorie diets, a study in the Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care found individuals doing this kind of dieting found weight loss success even after a year.
The Bottom Line – Does Optislim Work?
So, should you invest in Optislim for weight-loss? Well, we like Optislim’s longevity as a diet program and some positive comments we saw about it online. However, we have some reservations about it because it’s not backed by science. Moreover, we’re concerned about the unpleasant taste of the supplements and the side effects they can cause.
If you’d like to drop more weight, then we advise you to go with a diet program or weight-loss product backed by solid science and easy to use.
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