nuts, seeds, olive oil, fish, and chicken are all to be avoided on this diet.
THE ADVANTAGES: A December 1998 short-term study on the Ornish diet,
published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicated
that followers of the diet experienced a regression of arterial plaques. It’s not
known if the benefits seen were related to smoking cessation or the diet. The
long-term effects of a very low-fat diet are unknown at this time.
THE DISADVANTAGES: This diet can dangerously raise your insulin levels,
much more so than the average low-fat diets, and that spells more trouble for
your other hormones. It’s very low in fat, including essential fatty acids, which is
dangerous to its followers and can lead to vitamin deficiencies, resulting in
eczema and dandruff. The diet excludes many healthy fats with well-known
benefits, such as olive oil and nuts. The diet is not suitable for diabetics or for
the quarter of Americans who are on the verge of diabetes.
- The Atkins Diet
This diet, designed by Dr. Robert Atkins, a cardiologist, is a highfat/
highprotein/very-low-carb diet. The Atkins Diet advises lots of protein— mostly
in the form of meat, poultry, and processed meats—and restricts carbohydrates.
Thirty percent of your calories will come from protein, 60 percent will come
from fat, and the rest will come from carbs. You do not count calories; instead,
you count net carbs, including those from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
This forces the body to burn both fat and protein as a main source of fuel. You
check your urine to make sure you remain in a state of ketosis (which means not
utilizing any sugar), especially on the induction phase.
THE ADVANTAGES: The Atkins Diet correctly discourages refined carbs,
sugar, and trans fats. It’s very high in protein, which makes the diet optimal for
people involved in heavy anaerobic activity, such as weight lifters. The Atkins
Diet does appear to be beneficial for people with seizures.
THE DISADVANTAGES: This very highfat diet can shut down HGH
production. It’s also very high in protein, which can lead to thyroid disease. The
Atkins Diet also endorses products with soy protein isolate and Splenda. Both
are forbidden on the Perfect 10 Diet. In addition, consumption of processed
meats in any amount has been implicated in the development of many cancers.