GOLO Diet Review: Dieting and losing weight can be hard and frustrating, especially if it feels like you’re doing everything right and still aren’t seeing the results you want. The GOLO Diet program claims that the problem isn’t you: it’s your insulin sensitivity. GOLO also uses appealing taglines like “Stop Dieting. Start Losing Weight.” However, more research ultimately needs to be done, especially around its GOLO Release pill and potential GOLO side effects.
What is the GOLO Diet Program?
The GOLO program is a weight-management program that claims to help you lose weight primarily by targeting insulin resistance with insulin resistance supplements for weight loss, rather than following a traditional “diet industry” restrictive diet. But does it work? In this article, we’ll go over potential GOLO side effects and reviews that you should know before starting the program.
GOLO Reviews: What Is It and How Does It Work?
GOLO is a weight-loss program that claims to move away from the traditional “diet industry” approaches. These traditional diets are called fad diets, and are very restrictive and unsustainable long term.
The GOLO Approach
Similar to other weight loss plans, GOLO diet introduces a series of healthy foods and meal plans to encourage healthier eating habits and induce weight loss. It also encourages physical activity. However, the main difference between GOLO diet vs. other fad diets is it claims to improve your metabolic hormone function, specifically insulin, rather than your eating patterns alone.
Understanding Insulin Resistance
Insulin is one of the most important hormones involved in your metabolism. It signals to your cells to take in sugar (glucose), which those cells can then use for energy. However, certain circumstances can lead to insulin resistance: in other words, your cells stop responding to insulin signals. This causes sugar to stay in your bloodstream rather than enter your cells. If these elevated blood sugar levels continue, your body begins to store it as fat as an extra energy reserve in case you need it later. Having high blood sugars due to insulin resistance is linked to chronic metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.
Legal Concerns
Keep in mind that there is a lawsuit filed against the GOLO diet alleging that it is using misleading claims about their famous GOLO diet Release supplement for weight loss.
Does GOLO Really Work?
The GOLO plan primarily addresses insulin sensitivity rather than dieting, claiming that it can help with your overall “metabolic balance” and ultimately help with weight management. But how well does GOLO actually work?
Program Details
When you sign up for the GOLO program, you gain access to the GOLO For Life Plan and a myGOLO account, both of which contain guides and resources for improving your eating patterns for weight loss. The program includes a GOLO meal plan that emphasizes healthy, balanced foods, and it also encourages moderate exercise. Most importantly, you receive a bottle of GOLO Release, a dietary supplement that is meant to improve your insulin levels and blood sugar.
Testimonials and Studies
GOLO’s website and advertising showcase several testimonials from participants who have used its program effectively to reach their goal weight. In addition, there are several clinical studies that have evaluated the GOLO diet and GOLO Release capsule, and many of them have shown positive improvements in blood glucose levels, insulin levels, weight loss, and body composition.
Concerns About Bias
However, it’s important to note that these studies were funded by GOLO itself, which means that there may be a bias in the research conclusions. As of now, there is not enough high-quality peer-reviewed research outside GOLO’s own trials, which is a major red flag.
Is GOLO Safe?
The GOLO program claims to be safe, even for people taking other medications. It also says that its Release supplement contains no harmful ingredients and has no known side effects. However, you should still talk to your doctor before starting the GOLO plan, since it may change your hormone levels.
Is It Safe for Diabetics?
Because the GOLO diet centers on lowering insulin sensitivity, it may have an effect on your blood sugar. While this can be beneficial for some people, it can present issues for diabetic patients. It’s especially important to talk to a doctor before using GOLO if you are using diabetic medications since the Release pills can affect your blood sugar levels and may affect your necessary medication dosages.
Is It Safe for People with High Blood Pressure?
There are no known dangers of using the GOLO Release capsule if you have high blood pressure. However, you should still consult with your doctor, especially if you are taking medications to manage hypertension.
How to Know If the GOLO Diet Is Right for You
The GOLO diet plan might be a good fit for you if you are having a hard time seeing results from following a calorie-controlled diet and exercise plan alone, although it is not proven to show results. However, you should talk to your doctor first to avoid any possible side effects that exacerbate a preexisting condition.
Potential GOLO Release Side Effects
While the GOLO Release supplement contains natural ingredients that are meant to help balance your insulin, they can still cause potential side effects: Rhodiola can sometimes cause dizziness, dry mouth, or excessive saliva production. Zinc can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a metallic taste. Chromium can cause potential side effects like nausea, diarrhea, or headaches. Berberine has been linked to causing constipation or upset stomach. Banaba leaf has few known side effects but should still be used cautiously, as it can still cause mild dizziness.
Overall, the best way to mitigate potential GOLO side effects is to talk to your doctor before starting the program. Because it affects your blood sugar levels, it is especially important to discuss if you are currently taking medications to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic health conditions.
What to Do Instead of GOLO
The GOLO diet plan offers a different approach to weight loss by focusing on insulin sensitivity, but it may not be a good fit for everyone. For those who are struggling to lose weight and/or manage their insulin sensitivity, here are a few alternatives that you can talk to your doctor about: Working with a registered dietitian (RD): Dietitians are trained to help with a wide variety of dietary conditions, including diabetes, and are a great resource for building healthy, balanced meals that fit your personal needs. Seeing a licensed therapist: Therapy can be an important part of losing weight, especially if you’ve struggled with weight management for a long time or have an eating disorder. A therapist can help you build healthy habits and address disordered eating patterns. Talking to your doctor about other medication options: If your current medications are making it harder to lose weight or manage your blood sugar levels, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative medication that can make it easier for you to reach your goals. Taking a holistic approach: Ultimately, the best way to lose weight is to take a holistic approach that incorporates a balanced diet, exercise, and stress management. You should work with your doctor to build a plan that works for your personal health needs.
Takeaway
The GOLO diet claims that insulin sensitivity, rather than calorie consumption, may be one of the most important parts of losing weight.
However, more research is still needed. The studies conducted have all been funded by GOLO itself, and some experts worry that this may skew the results.
In the meantime, you should talk to your doctor before starting the GOLO diet to avoid any potentially dangerous side effects, especially if you have any preexisting conditions or are currently taking medications.