Rapid Waist Reduction Diet: No More Toxic Belly Fat?

                  
The Rapid Waist Reduction Diet by Don Colbert, MD is designed to get rid of toxic belly fat, which in turn, reduces waist size and overall weight.
In a basic sense, this diet is an updated rehash of the Dr. Simeon’s Protocol (the hCG Diet) and focuses on reducing inflammation and reducing carbohydrates by avoiding foods such as wheat.
Two big red flags went off in my head as I started this diet evaluation:

1. The fallacy of spot fat reduction, in this case, belly fat.
2. The hCG diet, its safety, its science, and its long-term effectiveness. 

Rapid Waist Reduction Diet’s Core Concepts

First of all, this book definitely is meant to appeal to those practicing Christianity. The book is full of scripture references and religious type thought, which is fitting since Evangelicals tend to preach against many sins, except the sin of gluttony. But, that is another debate.
Other than that, there are two main concepts presented the book.

1. Avoid Inflammatory Foods and Carbs, Especially Wheat.

Rapid Waist Reduction blames two major culprits for the obesity epidemic. Bad oils and refined carbs. Dr. Colbert belives that these two things are a deadly combination and not only responsible for obesity, but also for many of the diseases that plague modern society.

2. A Two Phase, Low Calorie Diet

Phase One consists of the dieter following a modified version of the hCG Diet. This involves a very low calorie diet in combination with receiving hCG hormone injections.
Phase Two consists of a moderately low calorie diet, which continues to restrict refined carbs, wheat, and inflammatory oils from the diet.
In addition to this, The Rapid Waist Reduction Diet discusses supplements that reduce belly fat, provides grocery lists and eating out advice, as well as discusses the importance of exercise.

Remember I Said There Were Red Flags?

I tend to agree with the concept that there are too many bad oils and refined carbs in the western diet and that this is a big part of the reason the western world is so fat and disease ridden. I have improved my own health and waist line by getting rid of bad fats and greatly limiting refined carbs.
Beyond that, a few things bother me. First, the notion that we can target fat loss is just not founded in sound research and experience. We tend to lose fat in the order in which it was put on. Women especially tend to store fat in their hips and thighs first, so in reality, it would be the last place in which they would lose it from.
Second, the hCG diet has been widely refuted and proven no better than any very low calorie diet. This phase of the diet is essentially starvation and this type of diet is seldom healthy unless a person is morbidly obese and under the care of a physician.
Thirdly, Dr. Colbert has capitalized on the “Christian” market greatly. He has a whole series of books entitled “The Bible Cure For _______”. Also, he has a line of “Divine Living” supplements including fake hCG drops. Put God and Bible verses on something and Christians will buy it! (I say this as a practicing Christian.)
I’m not sold on this one folks, but what do you think?