Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

calcium, chromium,magnesium,selenium,zinc,L-

carnitine, acetyl L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, gluta-

mine, pycnogenol or grape seed extract, gamma lino-

lenic acid, and turmeric. Among his recommended

topical creams and lotions arevitamin Cester, alpha

lipoic acid, dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), polye-

nylphosphatidylcholine(PPC), and tocotrienol. The

company also sells dozens of products that target

specific areas of the body (such as the face, eyes, and

lips), specific problems (dull skin, acne, dry skin, and

spider veins), along with products for men’s skin care,

weight loss, and sun protection. His weight-loss prod-

ucts (and their prices as of April 2007) include a 5.3-

ounce (oz.) pouch of polysaccharide peptide blend

($65), 10.1-oz. of L-glutamine powder ($60), 270 soft-

gel omega-3 fatty acids supplements ($97), and a 30-

day supply of 90 maitake caplets ($60).

Function

The primary function of the Perricone diet is to

slow the aging process by counteracting the body’s

inflammatory process, resulting in healthier and

younger looking skin and over-all appearance. Its sec-

ondary function is as a weight loss program that

stresses a diet high in antioxidants and low in carbo-

hydrates. Weight loss for overweight or obese people

can lead to a lower risk for a number of diseases,

including some types ofcancer, heart disease, diabe-

tes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Diet

specifics vary slightly among the six major books writ-

ten by Perricone as of 2007. Since the diet has asoy

component, it can be adapted to a vegetarian diet but

probably not vegan. Omega-3 fatty acids can be

obtained fromflaxseedoil rather than fish.

Benefits

Benefits include living longer and looking

younger, according to Perricone. Specifically, Perri-

cone says his diet plan will reduce wrinkles, slow or

reverse the visible aging process, clear acne, and elim-

inate bags and dark circles around the eyes. Perricone

says this is because his diet plan reduces inflammation

in the body, which is the root of most of the physical

appearance issues associated with aging. The Perri-

cone diet and others like it can be beneficial in reduc-

ing the risks of many medical problems, such as heart

disease and diabetes, since it emphasizes eating fish,

vegetables, and fruit.

Precautions

The Perricone diet recommends regulating blood

sugar levels by eating foods that have a low glycemic

index. The American Dietary Association, the Amer-

ican Diabetes Association, the American Heart Asso-

ciation, and the United States Department of

Agriculture do not endorse low GI diets and these

organizations do not support extreme intakes of fish.

Such extreme intakes make the diet unbalanced. Since

the diet advocates the use of numerous dietary supple-

ments, persons considering the Perricone diet should

check with their doctor or pharmacist to see if any of

the supplements interact with any prescription medi-

cation they are taking. Persons who are on a blood

thinner, such as Coumadin (warfarin) should consult

their doctor before going on the diet. Women who are

pregnant or lactating should not go on the diet without

consulting their physician or obstetrician. People with

existing medical conditions, including heart disease

and diabetes, should discuss the diet with their physi-

cian before starting it.

Risks

In the UK, the FSA have set upper limits for oily

fish consumption that are no more than two portions

per week for girls and women of childbearing age and

no more than four portions per week for boys, men,

and older women due to the risk of contamination.

Research and general acceptance

Although his books have been best-sellers in the

United States and elsewhere, there is not general

acceptance of most of his philosophy and claims by

the medical community. There is also very little scien-

tific research to substantiate most of his claims regard-

ing the anti-aging aspects of his diet. There is research

that shows a diet low in carbohydrates can promote

weight loss but most of the studies followed partici-

pants for a year or less.

The consumer watchdog Website Quackwatch

(http://www.quackwatch.org) takes a skeptical view

of many of the claims made by Perricone. ‘‘Dr. Perri-

cone would be more credible if he could show us a

study demonstrating that people who followed his

prescription lived longer, had younger skin demon-

strated by objective measures, or felt better than

those on a placebo program—or that they were better

in any measurable way,’’ physicians Harriet Hall and

Stephen Barrett wrote in a Quackwatch article dated

August 12, 2004. ‘‘Instead, he provides only testimo-

nials, exaggerated claims, partial truths, and incorrect

statements.’’ For example, they say the Perricone

books fail to mention that a diet high in salmon may

pose health risks due to mercury contamination in the

Perricone diet