Weight and see: A review of popular diets

This review contains subjective comments based on a study of the diets by the author and consultations with medical practitioners and patients who have experiences with the diet(s). Some of the commonly used diet programs are listed with actual concerns about their application. With exception of the well-accepted Ornish program, the other dietary methodologies have been somewhat lacking in careful clinical study. Assessments of their safety and efficacy have been anecdotal. The "reviews" are not necessarily the opinions of Dr. Holt.

• THE PRITIKIN PROGRAM – Compliance problems. Nutritionally incomplete. Cardiovascular wellness potential.

• THE DOLLY PARTON DIET ("prescribed" diet; on/off eating) – Little, if any scientific basis. Food-juggling regimen is too complex.

• THE DEAN ORNISH PROGRAM (a complete lifestyle program with low cholesterol objective) – Very sound program that has been subjected to objective research, designed specifically for cardiovascular wellness. Compliance problems.

• THE SCARSDALE DIET (short-term ketosis induction plan) – Dangerous without medical supervision. Use for only two weeks advised. Loss of protein tissue (muscle) occurs. Rejected by many as a fad.

• FASTING IS A WAY OF LIFE (essentially, just don’t eat)– Prolonged fasts are decidedly dangerous. Boring. Stimulates overeating.

• THE SET POINT DIET (theorizes that everyone has a set weight that the body tries to maintain) – Balanced with natural foods. Similar to AHA and USDA diets, no emphasis on essential fatty acid. Principal aim is weight loss.

• DR. ATKINS DIET REVOLUTION (high fat, high protein, low carbohydrates) – Not a revolution; used by Banting in the 1800. Accelerated early weight loss is water loss. May result in abnormal blood lipids. Yo-yo regain of weight can occur. Ketosis induced with potential negative metabolic consequences. Cannot be recommended for the person with cardiovascular disease, except short-term.

• DR. STILLMAN’S QUICK INCHES OFF DIET (low protein, high carbohydrates) – Few merits. Modification of 1950’s rice diet. Accelerated weight loss is water loss. Yo-yo regain of weight can occur. Nutritionally deficient.

• THE ZEN MACROBIOTIC DIET and other macrobiotic DIETS (grain-based vegetarian diet) – Nutritionally incomplete. Not recommended long-term because of dangers. Beyond the average reach of compliance. Lack certain essential fatty acids. Very variable dietary formulations.

• THE LIVING FOODS DIET (based on uncooked organic vegetables) – Ecological basis. Stresses inclusion of vegetables over grains in contrast to many macrobiotic diets. More to do with food preparation. Only for the very committed. Probably very healthy. A good dietary regimen.

• WEIGHT WATCHERS (well-established plan for weight reduction) – Quite successful. Shortcomings in the control of blood cholesterol and hypertension. Expensive. Forgets essential fats and soy.

• The NEW AMERICAN DIET (a mostly vegetarian diet high in complex carbohydrates and low in saturated fats) – Much to commend in this diet, which is a variation of American Heart Association (AHA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) diets. Well-balanced and flexible; recognizes omega-3 benefits; underestimates omega-6 benefits. Forgets to emphasize on soy.

• THE BEVERLY HILLS DIET or THE FIT FOR LIFE DIET (fruit diet) – The notion fruit melts fat is not valid. Causes diarrhea. May cause weight gain.

– HEALTHY OPTIONS NEWS DIGEST