Nicholas V. Perricone, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with appearances on "Oprah" and "20/20" to his credit, has authored nine books, three of which topped the "New York Times" best-seller list. Each is a variation on the theme -- and diet -- presented in his first book, "The Wrinkle Cure," published in 2000. He is founder of N.V. Perricone Cosmeceuticals, a science-based line of skin care products based on his concept of how to retard the aging process.
History
Perricone's diet evolved from his conviction that aging and the diseases that accompany it are the result of cellular inflammation caused by an array of external factors, including eating foods that promote it. As a dermatologist, he was initially interested in the prevention and treatment of age-related skin damage through proper nutrition, but he avers that his dietary recommendations will also help you regain and maintain optimum health.
Facts
The weight loss that accompanied Perricone's dietary plan for improving the appearance of facial skin was incidental; however, it laid the groundwork for his later book, "The Perricone Weight-loss Diet," published in 2005. In this his seventh book, Perricone reiterates his thoughts about the relationship between inflammation and aging and outlines a 14-day weight loss program that he says will help you lose fat as well as wrinkles.
Features
In addition to his standard instructions to eliminate sugars and drink lots of water, Perricone stresses these dietary principles in all his books: You should avoid all refined carbohydrates and choose whole grains that rank low on the glycemic index. Eat fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, tomatoes and dark leafy greens. Avoid saturated and polyunsaturated fats, and use only moderate amounts of olive oil. Limit dairy products, especially whole milk and high-fat cheese, and eat plenty of protein, particularly salmon, skinless chicken or turkey breast and egg whites.
Benefits
The benefits you gain from adopting the anti-inflammatory diet, according to Perricone, are not limited to improving your skin and losing weight. His belief is that free radicals, created by the body or absorbed from the environment, are responsible for assorted health problems associated with aging. A diet rich in antioxidants that fights free radicals and reduces inflammation, as Perricone claims his diet will do, will profit your health in general.
Considerations
Disadvantages to the Perricone diet are cost and the potential difficulty you may have in finding recommended foods. Wild-caught salmon, a diet staple, is expensive and may not be available in your area except in cans. Perricone recommends eating only organically grown fruits and vegetables, which cost more than regular produce and may not be offered in some stores. His later books, such as the weight-loss plan, also suggest using high-priced supplements that he sells on his website.
