Celeb trend report: Werewolf Diet

Could tapping into the power of the moon be the easy key to melting fat and supercharging energy? Hollywood’s leading ladies think so! But does it work? FIRST health and wellness columnist Jorge Cruise weighs in

As the full moon rises over Hollywood and Vine, celebrities turn to the Werewolf Diet—a plan that promises to transform the body with a little help from the power of the moon.

Though it may sound strange, the Werewolf Diet (also called the Moon or Luna Diet) has its roots in science from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to the agency, the gravitational effects of the moon change the Earth’s atmospheric pressure and the movement of water on the planet. And since up to 70 percent of the human body consists of water, proponents of the diet theorize that we are impacted by changes in the moon’s gravitational force too. They maintain that the moon has a tide-like effect at the cellular level, and this amplifies the body’s ability

to flush excess water, fat and toxins for two 24-hour periods during each lunar cycle.

To take advantage of the moon’s powers, followers of the plan do two 24-hour juice fasts each month—one during the full moon and another during the new moon. The juices flood the body with more than 600 different phytonutrients to optimize the liver’s fat-flushing abilities—and the effect is so powerful that Werewolf Dieters report losing as much as 6 pounds during each 24-hour fast. Followers also claim that the brief fast promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria to eliminate bloat and ward off fat storage, so even after the 24-hour fasting period, the body remains in slimming mode.

While it may seem extreme, studies have demonstrated the power of fasting (with or without the moon). In fact, Harvard University researchers have shown that drastically cutting calories for short periods of time switches on SIRT genes—a collection of genes that slow aging, prevent fat storage and supercharge metabolism. The scientists report that activating these genes can reduce the formation of new fat tissue by up to 80 percent. And additional studies show SIRT genes also increase energy by 180 percent, boost brainpower by 69 percent and dial back between meal hunger by 25 percent.

Despite the Werewolf Diet’s promising health benefits, though, some doctors caution that restrictive, ultralow–calorie diets can have downsides, including missing out on key nutrients and putting unnecessary stress on the body. That said, it’s important to consult your health-care provider before making changes to your diet—especially if you have insulincontrolled diabetes or are pregnant.