Understanding Who Should Not Do the GOLO Diet

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

The GOLO diet, popularized for its promise to balance hormones and manage insulin, relies heavily on a proprietary supplement. However, health experts express concerns about its restrictive nature and the lack of independent research supporting its claims. It is vital to understand who should not do the GOLO diet before considering this plan, as it can pose significant risks for specific individuals.

Quick Summary

This article outlines the crucial contraindications for the GOLO diet, focusing on individuals with existing medical conditions, those on certain medications, and women who are pregnant or nursing. It details potential health risks associated with the plan and its supplement, emphasizing the need for professional medical consultation.

Key Points

Pregnant or Nursing: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not attempt the GOLO diet due to potential insufficient calorie intake and the unknown safety of its supplement.
Diabetes and Blood Sugar Issues: Individuals with diabetes, especially those on medication, must avoid the GOLO diet as the Release supplement can dangerously interfere with blood sugar levels.
Disordered Eating History: For those with a history of disordered eating, the diet's restrictive nature and focus on specific food categorization can be a relapse trigger and harmful.
Chronic Medical Conditions: People with kidney disease, heart conditions, or gastrointestinal disorders should consult a doctor and likely avoid the GOLO diet due to potential interactions and side effects.
Medication Interactions: The Release supplement can interact with various medications, including those for blood pressure, diabetes, blood thinners, and antidepressants, posing significant health risks.
Unregulated Supplement: The core Release supplement is not FDA-approved, lacks independent research, and its proprietary blend hides crucial dosage information.

The GOLO diet has gained attention for its approach to weight loss, which combines a whole-foods eating plan with a proprietary supplement called Release. The program is marketed as a way to correct metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance. While it may appeal to those seeking a structured plan, its reliance on supplements and specific restrictions means it is not a suitable or safe option for everyone.

Medical conditions that contraindicate the GOLO diet

Individuals with specific health issues must exercise caution or avoid the GOLO diet entirely due to potential risks exacerbated by the program's components. The Release supplement, a core part of the diet, contains ingredients that can interfere with medication and trigger adverse effects.

Diabetes and blood sugar concerns

One of the most critical warnings applies to individuals with diabetes, particularly those on medication.

Interference with medication: The Release supplement, which aims to lower blood sugar, can cause hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) when combined with oral anti-diabetic drugs.
Type 1 diabetes: This diet is not recommended for those with type 1 diabetes, a condition the GOLO plan's insulin management is not designed to treat.
Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes: While GOLO claims to help with insulin resistance, individuals with these conditions must consult a physician to adjust medication and ensure the diet is appropriate.

Cardiovascular and kidney disease

For those with heart and kidney conditions, the GOLO diet and its supplement present risks.

Kidney issues: The supplement contains minerals like chromium that could potentially strain the kidneys, especially in individuals with pre-existing conditions. A significant protein intake, often emphasized in the diet, can also be a concern for those with impaired kidney function.
Blood pressure: Some components can affect blood pressure, requiring careful monitoring and potential medication adjustment for those managing hypertension. The supplement's stimulant content can also pose cardiovascular risks.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Individuals with sensitive digestive systems or existing issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may find the GOLO diet problematic. The Release supplement, containing ingredients like chromium and rhodiola, can cause side effects such as bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.

Demographics and health behaviors to consider

Beyond specific diseases, certain groups and behavioral patterns make the GOLO diet ill-advised.

Pregnancy and nursing

Pregnant or nursing women should not follow the GOLO diet. The recommended calorie intake of 1,300 to 1,800 calories can be too low for the nutritional demands of these life stages, and the safety of the Release supplement has not been established for this population.

Disordered eating habits

For chronic dieters or those with a history of disordered eating, the GOLO diet's restrictive nature and emphasis on portion control can be harmful. It may perpetuate an unhealthy cycle of losing and regaining weight, and the focus on calorie restriction can foster an unhealthy relationship with food.

The dangers of unregulated supplements

One of the primary red flags of the GOLO diet is its reliance on the Release supplement, which is not regulated by the FDA in the same way as conventional medications.

Reasons for concern include:

Proprietary blend: The exact amounts of the ingredients are not disclosed, making it impossible for consumers and healthcare providers to know what they are taking.
Lack of independent research: The limited studies on the Release supplement are funded by GOLO, and their findings are not peer-reviewed or meaningful enough to confirm efficacy or long-term safety.
Drug interactions: Besides diabetes and blood pressure medications, the supplement can interact with blood thinners, certain antidepressants, antibiotics, and diuretics.

GOLO diet vs. personalized nutrition plans

For those with health concerns, a personalized nutrition plan is a far safer and more effective alternative. Below is a comparison of the GOLO diet and a custom plan created with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).


Feature	GOLO Diet	Personalized RDN Plan
Core Principle	Insulin management via proprietary supplement and whole foods.	Individualized assessment of health, lifestyle, and goals.
Cost	Requires purchase of expensive supplements for access to the plan.	Varies based on dietitian and insurance; no required proprietary products.
Dietary Flexibility	Provides general 'fuel groups' but can feel restrictive, especially short-term.	Tailored to individual needs, preferences, and health conditions.
Safety & Supervision	Relies on unregulated supplements; medical supervision is recommended but not inherent.	Guided by a healthcare professional who monitors progress and safety.
Long-Term Sustainability	Often difficult to sustain due to cost and restrictive nature.	Builds sustainable habits based on individual lifestyle, fostering a healthier relationship with food.

Conclusion

While the GOLO diet presents an appealing promise of metabolic health and weight loss, its reliance on an expensive, unregulated supplement and its one-size-fits-all approach make it unsuitable for many. Individuals who are pregnant, nursing, have a history of disordered eating, or manage chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or blood pressure issues should avoid this diet and its supplement due to potential health risks. The lack of rigorous, independent research and the potential for dangerous drug interactions highlight the importance of consulting a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for a safer, evidence-based approach to weight management and overall health.

For more information on the principles of healthy eating and the risks of fad diets, a great resource can be found at the National Institutes of Health website (NIH), focusing on evidence-based nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet.

Resources

National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements: https://ods.od.nih.gov/

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the GOLO diet is not safe for diabetics without strict medical supervision. The Release supplement can interfere with diabetes medication and cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.

The GOLO diet is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women because the required calorie intake may be too low, and the safety of the proprietary Release supplement for this population has not been scientifically evaluated.

Yes, some users of the GOLO diet's Release supplement have reported gastrointestinal side effects, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

The Release supplement may affect blood pressure levels. Those on blood pressure medication should consult their doctor before starting the diet to ensure there are no adverse interactions and to monitor for any needed dosage adjustments.

The Release supplement is a concern because it is a proprietary blend, meaning the ingredient dosages are hidden. It is not regulated by the FDA like medication and lacks robust, independent, peer-reviewed scientific research.

No, the GOLO diet is not a good option for someone with a history of disordered eating. Its restrictive nature and emphasis on calorie control can trigger or worsen unhealthy eating patterns and foster a negative relationship with food.

Yes, people with pre-existing kidney conditions should avoid or be extremely cautious with the GOLO diet. The chromium in the supplement can potentially strain the kidneys, and high protein intake can be risky.