Study: Ornish Diet, Weight Watchers Score High for Promoting Heart Health
October 01, 2007 by
While people often lose weight for health reasons, new research suggests some diets may be better for your heart than others. A study completed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) indicate that popular 
weight loss plans have widely varying success rates in promoting heart health. Among the winners for heart health were the Ornish, New Glucose Revolution, and Weight Watchers High Carbohydrate plans.
In the study, researchers chose diets based on the New York Times bestseller list for the past five years. The diet plans that were included were the New Glucose Revolution, Atkins 100- and 45-gram Carbohydrate, South Beach Phase 2 and Phase 3, The Zone and Ornish. They also included Weight Watcher's diet plans and the 2005 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid plans due to their popularity.
The researchers then measured each plan's eating recommendations with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), which measures foods that are linked to a reduction in the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Among the measures used was the ratio of red to white meat, ratio of polyunsaturated fat to saturate fat, and the amount of fruit, vegetables, nuts, and legumes recommended in the program.
"Obviously, obesity is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease," said UMMS Assistant Professor of Medicine Yunsheng Ma, PhD, MPH, one of the study's primary authors in a press release about the study. "Optimal weight-loss plans should facilitate both weight loss and chronic disease prevention, specifically cardiovascular risk reduction."
Study: Ornish Diet, Weight Watchers Score High for Promoting Heart Health
Date: October 1, 2007In the study, researchers chose diets based on the New York Times bestseller list for the past five years. The diet plans that were included were the New Glucose Revolution, Atkins 100- and 45-gram Carbohydrate, South Beach Phase 2 and Phase 3, The Zone and Ornish. They also included Weight Watcher's diet plans and the 2005 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid plans due to their popularity.
The researchers then measured each plan's eating recommendations with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), which measures foods that are linked to a reduction in the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Among the measures used was the ratio of red to white meat, ratio of polyunsaturated fat to saturate fat, and the amount of fruit, vegetables, nuts, and legumes recommended in the program.
"Obviously, obesity is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease," said UMMS Assistant Professor of Medicine Yunsheng Ma, PhD, MPH, one of the study's primary authors in a press release about the study. "Optimal weight-loss plans should facilitate both weight loss and chronic disease prevention, specifically cardiovascular risk reduction."
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Posted on 10/02/2007 at 2:10:00 PM