Insight into link with Lighterlife

FURTHER to the article 'Expert warns of health risk from "starvation diet"' (August 24) on Very Low Calorie Diets (VCLDs) and Lighterlife, I would like to point out that I am not employed by Lighterlife, but am the chairman of the International Medical Advisory Board. I am also not Lighterlife's scientific adviser, but through The Robert Gordon University, provide consultancy work to the company for which The Robert Gordon University receives payment.

Like Professor Lean I am a consultant in metabolic medicine, but at NHS Grampian, and Honorary Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Aberdeen.

The article also states that Lighterlife causes nutritional deficiencies relative to micronutrient status. The Lighterlife programme delivers micronutrients in their Recommended Daily Allowances and providing this is followed, no micronutrient deficiencies should occur. There was also no mention of the in-depth assessment of VLCDs carried out by myself for the NHS R&D Health Technology Assessment in 2004, and which information NICE used in their statement on VLCD useage.

Professor J Broom, director, Centre for Obesity Research and Epidemiology, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen