followed by many of the contestants on NBC’s ‘‘The
Biggest Loser’’. Many of those contestants had prob-
lems with obesity-related diseases and conditions
when they began the show. These included diabetes,
sleep apnea, and high cholesterol levels. By the end of
the show, when large amounts of weight had been lost
and better fitness had been achieved, many of the
contestants no longer suffered from these conditions,
or had reduced symptoms, and some were even able to
discontinue many of their medications. These results
do not necessarily represent what is likely to occur for
a person following the more general form of the diet
on their own at home. These results also did not nec-
essarily result from this specific diet, but were more
likely to be the result of the weight loss achieved
through reduced caloric intake and increased exercise.
There is, however, no reported scientific evidence to
suggest that people can be fats or slow oxidizers. These
terms and quiz are created BY Jillian Michaels.
Although this diet has not been studied specifi-
cally, limiting caloric intake, eating a diet low in fats
and carbohydrates and high in vegetable and plant
products is generally accepted as a healthy diet for
most people. As of 2007 the U.S. Center for Disease
Control recommended a minimum of 30 minutes per
day of light to moderate exercise for healthy adults.
Following Michael’s fitness and exercise program
would exceed these minimum recommendation.Resources
BOOKS
Michaels, Jillian.Making the Cut: The 30-day diet and fitness
plan for the strongest, sexiest you.New York: Crown,
2007.
Michaels, Jillian.Winning by Losing: Drop the weight,
change your life.New York: Collins, 2005.
Shannon, Joyce Brennfleck ed.Diet and Nutrition Source-
book.Detriot, MI: Omnigraphics, 2006.
Willis, Alicia P. ed.Diet Therapy Research Trends.New
York: Nova Science, 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association. 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995. Telephone:
(800) 877-1600. Website:<http://www.eatright.org>
OTHER
Michaels, Jillian. ‘‘Jillian Michaels: Real Weight Loss for
Real People.’’Waterfront Media Inc.2007.<http://
http://www.jillianmichaels.com>(March 20, 2007).
The Biggest Winner - How to Win by Losing: Cardio Kickbox.
DVD. Genius Entertainment, 2005.Helen DavidsonJuice fasts
Definition
Juice fasts, sometimes called juice therapy, are
short-term dietary practices—typically one to three
days in length—during which the dieter consumes
only fruit, vegetable, or other plant juices in order to
cleanse the body of heavy metals and other chemical
toxins; as a practice related to Ayurvedic medicine; as
the first step in the treatment of colitis, arthritis,
depression,cancer, HIV infection, or other diseases;
for weight reduction; as part of a vegetarian, fruitar-
ian, or vegan lifestyle; or as a part of a general pro-
gram of eliminating such other unhealthy habits as
smoking, drinking large amounts of alcohol or caffei-
nated beverages, and overeating. Some people drink
large amounts of freshly extracted fruit or vegetable
juices as part of their regular diet without necessarily
fasting; this practice is called juicing.
Many people who undergo juice fasts combine
them with massage therapy or the use of laxatives
and enemas to completely relax the body and cleanse
the digestive tract.Origins
Juice fasts can be traced back for over 5500 years
to an annual ritual of bodily detoxification and spiri-
tual preparation known aspancha karma, which is
part of the practice of Ayurvedic medicine in India.
Ayurveda is a traditional system of health care that
dates back to about 3500BC; its name is Sanskrit for
‘‘science of long life.’’ Pancha karma is undergone for
disease prevention, which in Ayurvedic practice
requires spiritual renewal and the breaking of negative
emotional patterns as well as physical purification. It
has three phases: a preparation phase, in which the
person eliminates sweets, caffeinated drinks, and proc-
essed foods from the diet, as well as spending more
time in meditation and taking walks in natural sur-
roundings; the cleansing phase, which includes blood-
letting, emesis (forced vomiting), nasal cleansing, and
the use of enemas and laxatives as well as a very
restricted diet; and a rejuvenation phase, in which
solid foods are gradually reintroduced to the diet. It
is not unusual for people to experience spiritual and
psychological changes during this third phase. In addi-
tion to pancha karma, contemporary Ayurvedic prac-
tice recommends juice fasts for colitis and other
ailments of the digestive tract. Ayurvedic medicine is
a system that emphasizes the prevention of disease by
identifying and treating imbalances within the body
rather than making diagnoses of existing illnesses inJuice fasts