Extreme celebrity diet is 'dangerous, could cause eating disorders'

MADONNA, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham have all credited this fitness program with sculpting their slender bodies. But experts reckon it's downright dangerous.

Paltrow, Beckham and Madonna have all praised the controversial fitness regime.

MADONNA, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham have all credited this fitness program with sculpting their slender bodies.

But experts reckon it's downright dangerous and have urged dieters to steer clear of Tracy Anderson's extreme fitness program.

And while Cheryl Cole and Nicole Richie are also understood to be fans of Anderson's regimine, health experts warn the regime is dangerously low in vital nutrients and could even lead to the development of eating disorders, The Daily Mail reports.

News_Image_File: Tracy Anderson.

Experts are particularly concerned by the program's "nutrient boost weeks", which require followers to eat as little as 500 calories per day, most of which come from pureed fruit and vegetables.

The recommended daily calorie intake is 2000 for women and 2500 for men.

"It's extremely low in essential fats, low calorie and low in carbohydrates other than from fruit and vegetables," said Dr Frankie Phillips from the British Dietic Association.

"It just means that (followers) might be more at risk of an eating disorder, of developing a disordered eating pattern."

Dr Phillips said the diet isn't suitable for people who don't have a substantial amount of weight to lose, and it should only be followed under the guidance of a doctor.

Even outside of the "nutrient boost weeks", the program imposes a daily cap of around 1000 calories.

It also involves an intensive exercise regime of an hour a day, six days a week.

News_Image_File: Celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson.

Miss Anderson rose to prominence when Madonna began promoting her fitness regime. Soon after that, Gwyneth Paltrow also started using her as a personal trainer.

Madonna reportedly parted ways with Miss Anderson in 2009 after getting annoyed at the amount of time she was spending with other clients.

Other celebrities who have followed the program include Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Nicole Richie, who is a recovering anorexic.

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