Clinical Studies

Since 1980, the Medifast diet has helped well over a million people lose weight, get healthier and learn how to eat right to stay that way. Developed by physicians, the plan is groundbreaking in its equal emphasis on both weight loss and adequate nutrition.

Over the past three decades, the Medifast diet has been monitored by medical professionals and continues to be studied and improved. The following nine studies have contributed to the medical soundness of the Medifast concept and meal development:

• The most recent clinical study showed that the Medifast diet is more effective at promoting weight loss than an isocaloric diet (a diet which aims to achieve roughly equal amounts of fat, protein and carbohydrates in each meal). Participants in the Medifast diet lost twice the amount of weight as did subjects in the isocaloric diet.
• A study published in 2008 concerned diabetic subjects; the results proved that a portion controlled diet was more effective even than the American Diabetic Association’s own dietary guidelines at promoting healthy weight loss for people with type 2 diabetes.
• Another study published in 2008 followed participants in the Medifast program for 52 weeks. In addition to consuming the Medifast meals, participants also used Medifast appetite suppressant supplements. The study concluded that the supplements enhanced the effectiveness of the Medifast meal replacement plan.
• The next study determined that energy drinks containing both caffeine and an appetite suppressant called EGCG are effective weight loss tools that help control hunger cravings.
• A study done in 2008 to determine the effectiveness of meal replacement programs for children and teens determined that meal replacement plans were just as safe and effective as a food pyramid based program.
• This 2000 study proved that a combination of carbohydrate and fat restriction with appetite suppression supplements was a safe and effective way to promote weight loss.
• Eleven years after the introduction of the Medifast program, this study sought to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program; the study concluded that not only did participants safely lose weight, but there were also across the board health improvements including lower cholesterol and triglycerides and lower blood pressure.
• A 2006 study reported on 13 obese patients who enrolled in the Medifast diet program and were closely monitored. After six months, patients lost an average of almost 27 pounds and reported a high level of satisfaction with their diet plan.
• A 2000 study on obese women concluded that all women were successful at losing weight by following a restricted calorie diet. However, the study also determined that those who possess a certain gene lost less adipose tissue on the diet than women who did not carry the gene.

These clinical studies have served as the basis for the Medifast diet. The Medifast diet continues to be monitored by an active Scientific Advisory board and a Nutrition Support team; the health care professionals behind the Medifast diet are continually committed to making the Medifast diet the safest way to promote healthy and effective weight loss.