01. I am being treated for depression. Can I take SoyaSlim®?
02. I am on a low sodium diet. How much salt does SoyaSlim® contain?
03. Can I safely take the Diet with a thyroid complaint?
04. Can someone with diabetes be on the Diet?
05. How does SoyaSlim® affect someone with hypoglycaemia?
06. Can a person with raised cholesterol levels use SoyaSlim®?
07. Is a lactose intolerant three-year-old too young to enjoy a drink of SoyaSlim®?
08. Does the Cambridge Diet SoyaSlim® help with the bowel disease Diverticulitis?
09. What is the advice for someone with a history of constipation?
10. Can people with high blood pressure use Diet for weight loss?
11. I have high blood pressure. Can I use the Diet?
12. How will the Diet benefit my arthritis?
13. I suffer from gout. Can I still take the Diet?
14. Is SoyaSlim® suitable for people with coeliac disease?
15. Can someone with a lactose intolerance use the Diet?
16. I have a problem with heartburn. Will SoyaSlim® aggravate this?

I am under treatment for depression. Is it safe for me to take SoyaSlim®?
There is nothing in the Cambridge Diet plan that would interfere with depression therapy. It is important, however, that any diet you undergo be supervised very carefully by your doctor or psychiatrist.

I am on a low sodium diet. How much salt is there in SoyaSlim®?
The Cambridge Diet contains approximately 500 mg of sodium per serving, or approximately 1,500 mg salt per day. A doctor should be consulted if the dieter has been placed on a low sodium diet, to make sure that the sodium intake is not in excess of the doctor’s recommendation.

I have a thyroid condition and am on medication. Can I safely take the Cambridge Diet?
The Cambridge Diet is compatible with all standard thyroid procedures, but I would recommend consulting your doctor before starting any diet.

Can a person with diabetes be on the Cambridge Diet?
Many of my colleagues have found that by changing from three Cambridge Diet meals per day, to six mini meals the dieter’s caloric intake is controlled. We have seen great success with diabetic patients using the Cambridge Diet. Diabetics are cautioned, however, not to embark on any diet programme without first consulting their physician. Those who have Diabetes Type 1 and are taking insulin are contraindicated.

How does the Cambridge Diet affect those with hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is the opposite of diabetes. Low blood sugar often results from poor nutrition. The Cambridge Diet made into six mini meals per day does an excellent job of keeping the blood sugar level in hypoglycaemic people.

I have raised cholesterol levels. Can I use the Cambridge Diet?
No problem. Studies have shown that using the Cambridge Diet as the sole source of nutrition cuts levels of blood cholesterol by an average of 25% and blood fats by an average of 40% – the reduction seems to be greatest in those with initial high levels. When patients returned to a normal diet levels rose again, but not as high as before. There is also some evidence that, following weight loss, ongoing use of the Diet as part of a healthy diet, ie with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, lean meat, oily fish (eg salmon, herring, mackerel, etc), and unsaturated fats, could also help control cholesterol levels.

Is a lactose intolerant three-year-old too young to enjoy a drink of lactose-free Cambridge Diet?
Over the years many a Counsellor’s child or grandchild has enjoyed Cambridge Diet as a delicious milkshake drink. There is nothing in it that will cause harm and it is certainly more nutritious than many children’s drinks. A half a portion at a time is enough for a small child, with a total of one whole Diet per day. This will probably be as much as she can drink and it would be a shame to waste it; and the level of nutrients will not be so concentrated. The same goes for lactose-free Cambridge Diet which is available in selected flavours.

Does the Cambridge Diet help with the bowel disease Diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis is the development of diverticula (small sacs) in the bowel. Diverticulitis is a complication produced by inflammation of the diverticula. Symptoms can include bloating, pain in the lower abdomen, and changes in bowel habits. Lack of fibre may play a part in the development of this condition and a high fibre diet might reduce the incidence of complications. So how does dieting affect the condition? With any change in eating habits a change in bowel habits can follow. No two people are the same and there is no telling whether Cambridge will help or not. Initially, try six half portions. Or, try the higher-fibre 790 kcal programme.

What is the advice for someone with a history of constipation?
Natural bulking agents should be used in the preparation week to ensure there are no existing problems at the start of the weight loss process. A change of eating habits will almost inevitably cause a change in bowel habits for everyone. ‘Fibre 89’ is a very effective natural bulking agent available only from Cambridge Health Plan. There are other over-the-counter remedies but it is becoming more difficult to obtain products that do not have added carbohydrate – which would undermine the ‘Sole Source’ programme. ‘Fibre 89’ is very economic – a 125g tub provides 40 servings. It is also very versatile as it can be mixed in any drink, hot or cold, and its presence remains undetected.

Can people with high blood pressure take the Cambridge Diet for weight-loss and is it permissible to take diuretics?
Many people with high blood pressure have experienced extremely positive results taking the Cambridge Diet for weight-loss. Not only has there been a significant drop in blood pressure, but also a normalization which allowed a decrease in medication previously required. It is very important that these people consult their doctors, especially if they are taking medication. The Cambridge Diet, taken as a sole source of nutrition, will itself cause water loss. Any artificial diuretics added to the diet could seriously deplete your potassium balance and cause dizziness, weakness and fatigue. For this reason, medication having a diuretic effect should not be taken concurrently with the Cambridge Diet except with the approval of a doctor.

I have high blood pressure. Can I use the Diet?
Yes. You can take the Cambridge Diet as a Sole Source of nutrition providing that your doctor agrees and signs the Medical Record Form. The Diet is low in sodium, and results in a natural water loss in the early stages. This – along with your weight loss – will invariably reduce blood pressure so your doctor may decide to adjust the dosage of any anti-hypertensive medication. Changes in medication must be supervised by a doctor – not by yourself or your Counsellor. If you maintain your weight loss and take regular exercise, this could be a real possibility for you.

How will the Diet benefit my arthritis?
Arthritis is a degenerative disease affecting the weight-bearing joints. The Cambridge Diet is not a "cure", but losing excess weight helps relieve symptoms. Where attacks are triggered or aggravated by food allergies, the Cambridge Diet makes an ideal exclusion diet to follow while rogue foods are identified. A lighter body puts less strain on the joints and some patients find they need less of their anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the symptoms. But be careful, the joy of having less pain can make you more active, which in turn may aggravate the joints again!

I suffer from gout. Can I still take the Diet?
Gout sufferers generally have raised blood levels of uric acid (hyperuricaemia) which can cause crystals of sodium urate to be deposited in the joints – an extremely painful condition. Using the Cambridge Diet as a Sole Source of nutrition may also raise uric acid levels, so if you are susceptible to gout, you could risk triggering an attack, particularly during the first few days of your diet. Anyone with a history of gout should be warned of this possibility and their doctor must sign the Medical Record Form and adjust their medication to prevent an attack while on ‘Sole Source’.

Is the Cambridge Diet suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Yes. Coeliac disease means sufferers cannot tolerate the gluten found in wheat, oats, rye and barley. The Cambridge Diet drinks and bars are all gluten-free.

Can someone with a lactose intolerance use the Cambridge Diet?
Yes, Cambridge Diet SoyaSlim is suitable for those who are lactose intolerant or who have a milk allergy. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose (milk sugar) and is caused by a deficiency of lactase – an enzyme released by the small intestine which allows milk sugar to be absorbed into the blood stream. The Cambridge Diet SoyaSlim has a soy protein base and is therefore suitable for those with this condition.

I seem to have a recurring problem with heartburn and have an ulcer. Will the Cambridge Diet aggravate this condition?
On the contrary, the Cambridge Diet is easily digested, and reports indicate that it has a very soothing effect on the stomach. Some people swear that the Cambridge Diet drinks have reduced their symptoms drastically. It may be necessary to take six mini meals per day instead of the three regular Cambridge Diet meals, but the ingredients in the Cambridge Diet will not interfere with ulcers or ulcer medication. If you are on medication for ulcers, be sure to contact your doctor before going on any diet.