Research
In 2000, The American Heart Association issued
reviseddietary guidelinesfor reducing the risk of
heart disease and stroke. These recommendations
include eating a diet low in fat and full vegetables
and fruits. They also recommend increasing the con-
sumption of fish. All of these recommendations are
found in the Asian diet.
Many studies show the benefit of eating a diet
such as the Asian diet. These studies show that lipid
(fat) levels in the blood, a major risk factor for heart
disease and stroke, may be dramatically reduced by
following a low fat, plant-centered diet. The effects of
years of unhealthy eating habits may be reversed by
altering the diet to limit intake of high fat foods and
increasing the amount of low fat foods, fruits, and
vegetables.
In 2000, one study confirmed the results of pre-
vious research that a diet low in saturated fat and high
in fruits and vegetables lowers blood pressure in
patients with untreated hypertension. Doctors believe
following such as the Asian diet could prevent
hypertension.Resources
BOOKS
Hadady, Letha.Feed Your Tiger: The Asian Diet Secret for
Permanent Weight Loss and Vibrant Health. New York,
NY: Rodale, 2007.
Hodder, Mary T.The Complete Asian Health and Diet
Cookbook. Berkeley, CA: Heian International, 1988.
Tran, Diana My.The Asian Diet: Get Slim and Stay Slim the
Asian Way. Herndon, VA: Capital Books, 2002.
Yo, Linda.Asian Slim Secrets: Enjoy Food, Stay Slim Nat-
urally! San Diego, CA: Asian Way, 2005.
PERIODICALS
American Hear Association. ‘‘AHA Dietary Guidelines’’
Circulation102 (2000): 2296–2311.
Jacobi, Dana. ‘‘The World’s Healthiest Diet.’’Natural
Health26, no. 1 (Jan–Feb 1996): 90–107.
Krauss, R. M. and D. M. Dreon. ‘‘Low-Density Lipoprotein
Subclasses and Response to a Low-Fat Diet in Healthy
Men.’’Am J Din Nutr62 (1995): 478S–487S.
Marckmann, P., B. Sanatrom, and J. Jesperson. ‘‘Low-Fat,
High-Fiber Diet Favorably Affects Several Independ-
ent Risk Markers of Schemic Heart Disease: Observa-
tions on Blood Lipids, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis
From a Trial of Middle-Aged Danes.’’Am J Clin Nutr
59 (1994): 935–939. 90–107.
McLaughlin, Leah and Jean Kressy. ‘‘The Healthiest Cui-
sine in the World.’’Fitness12.10 (October 2002):
138–143.Deborah L. Nurmi, MSAtkins diet
Definition
The Atkins diet is named for Robert C. Atkins,
M.D., the diet’s founder. It is based on restrictions of
carbohydratesand focuses on eating mostlyprotein
and fat, along with use of vitamin and mineral
supplements.
The Atkins diet has been one of the most popular
fad dietsin the United States. It started a ‘‘low-carb
revolution,’’ leading to development of low carbohy-
drate choices in grocery stores and restaurants around
the world. The diet’s founder, Robert C. Atkins, died
in February 2003.Origins
Dr. Atkins introduced hisDiet Revolutionin 1972.
From the beginning, Dr. Atkins, a cardiologist, said
that limiting intake of carbohydrates (sugars and
starches) would improve health and aid in weight
control. The original premise for developing the diet
came about because of Atkins’ frustration with the
increasing rates ofobesityand chronic diseases such
as diabetes.Description
Throughout the diet, Dr. Atkins recommended
drinking at least eight 8-oz. glasses ofwatereach day
to avoiddehydrationandconstipation. He also rec-
ommended daily intake of nutrients through a good
multi-vitamin supplement. Finally, Dr. Atkins men-
tioned getting plenty of exercise to speed weight loss.
The Atkins diet consists of four distinct phases that
participants should go through to achieve and main-
tain weight loss.Induction
The induction phase is not required, but that
doing so jump starts weight loss as dieters cut back
significantly on carbohydrate consumption. Accord-
ing to Atkins Advantage notes, the induction phase
can make people feel revitalized, since carbohydrates
cause blood sugar spikes that lead to fatigue and other
symptoms. The diet also claims that the induction
phase will help dieters see the benefits of fat-burning
and strengthen their immune systems.
This is by far the most restrictive of the four
phases, allowing no more than 20 net carbohydrates
per day. This equals roughly three cups of salad greens
or other non-starchy vegetables. Participants can eatAtkins diet