Dr. Dean Ornish is the author of the Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program For Reversing Heart Disease. His scientific research has found that people who follow his lifestyle program can actually reverse heart disease–a claim that no other diet can make. Folks who stick with his diet and exercise guidelines end up lowering their blood pressure, lowering their cholesterol, and even lowering the amount of plaque in their arteries! Some people have even found that they experienced fewer symptoms from other illnesses–like arthritis–after starting Dr. Ornish’s lifestyle program.
Despite the amazing results that can be achieved from adopting this plan, many people have never heard of Dr. Ornish. This is most likely because his lifestyle program is considered “extremely” restrictive. Here are some of the basic guidelines you would need to follow in order to reverse heart disease.
• You need to consume whole foods rather than processed or packaged foods.
• You need to stick to a low-fat, mostly vegetarian diet.
• You need to limit simple carbohydrates (like white rice, white pasta and white potatoes).
• You would eat plant based foods like vegetables and fruit, as well as “fatty” foods like nuts and seeds.
• The grains you eat would be whole grains–like whole wheat or brown rice–rather than refined grains.
• You would eliminate some animal foods, such as meat, pork, bacon and high-fat dairy, from your diet.
• You would be permitted small amounts of fish and lean chicken.
Dr. Ornish’s lifestyle program isn’t just a diet, either. He also recommends some type of meditation for stress reduction, as well as regular exercise. He considers yoga to be meditation, so a regular workout routine of walking and yoga could fulfill his requirements.
Many people find this lifestyle plan to be too restrictive. The moment they hear “vegetarian” and “no meat,” they immediately dismiss this as an impossible task. But Dr. Ornish is quick to acknowledge that a dramatic change in lifestyle is not always possible for some people. Unlike other diet creators, who insist that following their plan exactly is the only road to success, Dr. Ornish believes that making even small changes can make a difference in your health.
So you don’t necessarily have to give up meat entirely. Instead, try to limit your “steak and potato” meals to just one a month. The rest of the time, opt for lean chicken, seafood or vegetarian options. And you don’t have to give up white rice with your Asian meals. Instead, try making half brown rice and half white rice until you adjust to the new taste and texture of the whole grain version.
Dr. Ornish’s lifestyle program may seem strict, but it’s one of the few diets that allows you to customize it based on your own needs and preferences. Moreover, it actually works!
If you have a family history of heart disease–or if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol–you may want to seriously consider adopting Dr. Ornish’s lifestyle program. His simple guidelines may seem restrictive, but they really will help you reverse heart disease and improve your health. Even better, you’ll lose weight, too!
