Research Study Produces Unprecedented Results - that a high nutrient dense diet may be the most health favorable and effective way to lose weight.

Comparison: Weight Watchers “proudly” reports that their users average a 3% (three-percent) weight loss over two years. That equated to just 4.5 pounds for a 150lb person.

A research study was conducted by Dr. Barbara Sarter PhD., University of Southern California of and Dr. Colin Campbell PhD., Professor, Cornell University and author of The China Study on the effects of the “Effect of a High Nutrient Density Diet on Long-Term Weight Loss.”

A High Nutrient Dense Diet means incorporating foods into your diet that have high level of nutrients per calorie like: vegetables, beans, fruits, nuts and seeds.

Conclusion: “A high nutrient dense diet (HND) as demonstrated with this group may be the most health-favorable and effective way to lose weight for appropriately motivated patients.”

*This article contains unpublished data, scheduled for publication in the May/June 2008 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. Fuhrman J, Sarter B, Campbell TC. Effect of a high-nutrient diet on long-term weight loss: a retrospective chart review. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2008;14(3) publication pending

[Rob’s Note: obviously published now at Alternative Therapies, subscription required]

High Nutrient Dense Dietary Principles

This study was focused on the high nutrient dense dietary principles of Joel Fuhrman M.D.. Over the past 19 years, Dr. Fuhrman has treated thousands of patients with morbid obesity, end-stage heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and other ailments. In many cases these patients have been referred to Dr. Fuhrman by other physicians like the world renowned heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz.

While America continues to be infatuated with “fad diet” that produce short-term temporary weight loss, Dr. Fuhrman has proven beyond a doubt that sustained weight loss can only be accomplished by incorporating foods that are high in nutrients. Only then can your body seek its ideal weight- and stay there! Dr. Fuhrman has also proven that a diet based on nutrition can also reverse and even cure many diseases and chronic illness that traditional doctors only hope to control through costly medications.

The study tracked 56 patients who came to Dr. Fuhrman specifically to lose weight. In addition to weight, the study tracked their blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and their cardiac risk ratio over the two year period. In addition to their new diet prescription, the patients also received counseling sessions to help them stick with their new lifestyle. They received a sample daily meal plan, recipes, and verbal and written information about the rationale for the diet. (All of these services will be made available through the EatRightAmerica.com website.)
At the end of two years, 34% of the patients were still actively on the diet. This alone was a remarkable number as few diet exceed 20% compliance after two-years. Their results were unprecedented:

The results of this study show that people not only lose an amazing amount of weight on a very high nutrient, plant-based diet, but they can also reduce many of the risk factors for deadly ailments like heart disease. A high nutrient density diet, as demonstrated in this group of patients, may very well be the most healthy and effective way to lose weight.

[Rob’s Note:]

I ran a poll on weight watchers results almost a year ago with a definitive “YES” weight watchers works! It’s gathered a good number of comments supporting the program as well. What if there was some sort of program that taught nutrient density instead? Is it out there? We could increase the weight loss amounts as well as the long term benefits. I think my next poll will be in regards to average weight loss and sustainability of the weight loss on the weight watchers program.

Anyone can cook a piece of chicken or bison, but it’s the understanding of plants and nutrient dense foods where more people need to be educated. When I was vegetarian, I was often asked “what do you eat then, if you don’t eat meat?”. I would usually answer that I eat what they eat, but with out the meat. Truth is that I eat an enormous amount and variety of plant based foods. I stagger my intake of meats and vegetables, raw foods as well as cooked, and include a variety of nuts and seeds on a daily basis. As I said, meat is easy, it’s the dark leafy greens that tend to be tricky for most people.

Of the authors I promote on the subject, I tend to agree with and follow the teaching of Dr Fuhrman. His books, such as Eat to Live and Eat Right America Food Scoring Guide have been in my library for over a year now. I’ve just ordered his latest 2 book set Eat For Health: Lose Weight, Keep It Off, Look Younger, Live Longer for Christmas now too. I’ve known about it for months, but only recently ordered it.

With anything, there is a learning curve.

The same is true for improving the quality of the food we eat. I believe we have to know why we’re doing what we’re doing and why we should be eating the nutrient dense way. Joel Fuhrman’s books on nutrient density spell it out in plain language.

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