The Ornish Diet was created by Dr. Dean Ornish, a clinical medicine professor at the University of California-San Francisco. For more than 32 years, Ornish directed clinical research into diet and lifestyle effects on disease states. He demonstrated that heart disease is reversible through diet---without medicine or surgery. Based on his research, Ornish recommends a very low-fat, plant-based, vegetarian diet to combat heart disease, cancer and promote weight loss. The program also recommends meditation, exercise and group support.
Effectiveness
The greatest pro of the Ornish diet is clinical, scientific research. Ornish published many studies confirming the effectiveness of his diet. In 1998, Ornish concluded in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" that a very low-fat diet---10 percent calories from fat---combined with exercise, stress management and group support reduced coronary incidents significantly. In 2008, the Prostate Cancer Lifestyle Trial reported that early stage prostate cancer patients could avoid or delay conventional treatment up to two years by following his recommendations.
Clinical research also presents cons. In 2005, the Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory at Tufts-New England Medical Center compared Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers and Zone diets for weight loss and heart disease risk reduction. The study showed little difference between diet results, indicating Ornish was no more effective than other popular diets.
Nutritional Adequacy
Vegetarian diets can be very healthful. In 2009, the American Dietetic Association issued a position statement regarding vegetarian and vegan diets. After a review of current data, it concluded that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and might provide health benefits. It cautions that education and preparation is important in meeting dietary needs.
The con is the difficulty of meeting dietary needs. Without proper nutritional education, some nutrients might be at risk. Ornish does not distinguish between good and bad fats but recommends all fats be reduced. Omega-3 supplements are recommended to replace to components of good fats. The Department of Family Medicine at Jordan University Hospital confirmed in 2009 that vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with strict vegetarianism. Additionally, the Preventative Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, Calif., studied the nutritional adequacy of very low-fat, vegetarian diets in 2005. It observed less than adequate vitamin D intake and encourages vitamin D supplements.
Satisfaction and Adherence
One of the most important pros of a diet plan is satisfaction and adherence. For most people, extreme changes from a typical diet can be daunting. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine studied the adherence and acceptability of a low-fat vegan diet in February 2009. It determined that the outcome was similar to other diets, but cravings diminished more in the vegan group earlier. The majority of Amazon.com reviewers found the diet life-changing, full of variety and an exceptional guide.
Other studies illustrate how difficult the diet is to follow. In June 2009, "The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics" published a study confirming the difficulty of following a low-fat diet. The study emphasized that nutritional and behavioral education could improve compliance. According to a few Amazon.com reviewers, the diet is "bland and dull," has "no taste" and is "too extreme."
References
- Pubmed: "Journal of the American Medical Association": Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease
- Pubmed: "Urology": Clinical events in prostate cancer lifestyle trial: results from two years of follow-up
- Pubmed:" Journal of the American Medical Association": Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone diets for weight loss and heart disease risk reduction: a randomized trial
- Pubmed: "Journal of the American Dietetic Association: Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets
- Pubmed: "Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal": High frequency of low serum levels of vitamin 12 among patients attending Jordan University Hospital
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