cindy0039 Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 I was wondering if anyone has any experience with what's called the South Beach Diet? My husband is at risk for heart disease. He has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, is about 40-50 pounds overweight, and has a family history of heart disease. I've read that the person who developed this plan is a cardiologist who came up with it for his patients, to improve their health, and that it seemed to work well for weight loss also. I was just wondering if anyone has tried it or knows someone who has or what your advice may be. Thanks, Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 It appears to be another on the low-carb bandwagon....very gimmicky. There's no magic or success secret to be found here. The fact that they advertise 8-13lbs in the first two weeks tells me right there that it's not built around science. Follow that with the phrase "lose belly-fat first" and I'm laughing at how ridiculous this is. Don't even waste another thought on the matter. What he needs is a basic approach: caloric restriction and proper weight training. The biggest threat he has is the family history of heart disease. There's nothing he can do about that. Otherwise, he needs to deal with being overweight. Cholesterol has been made into this huge villain - it's not an indicator of ANYTHING. The hype surrounding cholesterol is one of the biggest hoodwinks between commercial interests and the medical community. Once he slims down, it's only a matter of eating decently and having a regular training routine. All other factors are out of your hands. Link to post Share on other sites
Author cindy0039 Posted June 30, 2003 Author Share Posted June 30, 2003 Originally posted by Ryan Cholesterol has been made into this huge villain - it's not an indicator of ANYTHING. The hype surrounding cholesterol is one of the biggest hoodwinks between commercial interests and the medical community. Would you please elaborate on that? His doctor has him on medication to lower his cholesterol. Are you saying this is not necessary, in your opinion? His mother just had a triple bypass and his father has had a double bypass. They both have high cholesterol (as well as high blood pressure). How could so many doctors be wrong when they harp on people to lower their cholesterol? Link to post Share on other sites
Tony T Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 The ONLY diet worth being on is one that consists of eating healthy goods, easy on fat, sugar and carbs, and exercising regularly. Diets are always temporary and the body doesn't like that. Someone who is at serious risk for health problems needs to get themselves on a permanent diet consisting of exchanging old eating patterns for newer and healthier ones. Link to post Share on other sites
Author cindy0039 Posted June 30, 2003 Author Share Posted June 30, 2003 Tony - What's your take on the cholesterol comment? Link to post Share on other sites
veggie Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 My understanding is that it is a modified Atkins-style diet, which is extremely unhealthy, and most people regain what they lose. I am especially wary when the author of the diet cautions people with kidney problems to consult a doctor before beginning (as Agatson does). This is a warning sign. If your husband is concerned about heart disease and wants a diet specifically tailored to that, I suggest you look at Dean Ornish's program, which is the only one to be scientifically validated to reverse heart disease. On the other hand, simply reducing his intake and losing the 40-50 extra pounds he is carrying will go a long way to improving his health. Link to post Share on other sites
veggie Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Cindy - Unfortunately, I don't remember enough details, but I do recall reading abut new research that indicated that it is not cholesterol but some other substance that is actually the "predictor" of heart disease. In many people, both these substances are elevated, which is why scientists focused on cholesterol for so long. But people in certain European countries, like France for example, tend to have diets that are high in cholesterol but with nowhere near the US's rate of heart disease. Apparently, this led to new inquires. Unfortunately, I think the medial community has a tendency to "burrow in" with its theories and it can be years before new knowledge actually gains press. Just look at the HRT issue - the ill effects of hormone replacement were known in the late 70's but it took until 2002 for the medical communty to finally state that women should radically limit or eliminate HRT because of the risks. I'm sorry I can't help more with the cholesterol. I will poke around some more in the Internet and post back if I find anything. Link to post Share on other sites
veggie Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Hi - Here are some articles I found. Levels of C-reactive protein may be a stronger predictor of potential heart attack or stroke than cholesterol, according to a study published in the Nov. 14 New England Journal of Medicine. Full story: http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/amnews/pick_02/hlsc1216.htm Just because you've reached the recommended cholesterol level guidelines doesn't mean your coronary disease has gotten better -- or even stabilized. Full story: http://www.dukeandthedoctor.com/ENewsGroups/Heart/2002/H062102a.htm More: http://www.healthandage.com/Home/gid1=3418 http://www.hon.ch/News/HSN/511461.html http://www.dukeandthedoctor.com/ENewsGroups/Heart/2002/H082302c.htm Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Would you please elaborate on that? His doctor has him on medication to lower his cholesterol. Are you saying this is not necessary, in your opinion? Not only unnecessary...but damn unhealthy. You must realize...when the guidelines were set for what "healthy" cholesterol levels are, it immediately put MILLIONS of Americans in the category of needing medication. Cholesterol screening and medication was a 60 BILLION dollar business in 1999. His mother just had a triple bypass and his father has had a double bypass. They both have high cholesterol (as well as high blood pressure). How could so many doctors be wrong when they harp on people to lower their cholesterol? Because they believe what their institutions tell them without doing digging of their own. 2/3 of people with "high" cholesterol never have heart problems. Half of people who do develop heart disease have "healthy" cholesterol levels. I'm not suggesting you go against your doctor's prescriptions as of yet. Just do some reading......here are a few places to start. A good history of how cholesterol became evil. http://www.westonaprice.org/know_your_fats/oiling.html Check out the numbered links for some comprehensive articles. http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm Link to post Share on other sites
Author cindy0039 Posted July 1, 2003 Author Share Posted July 1, 2003 Not to be argumentative or anything, but why should we trust Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD any more than some other doctor(s) who say the opposite? It's all so confusing! All I know is, medicine is NOT an exact science. Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Not to be argumentative or anything, but why should we trust Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD any more than some other doctor(s) who say the opposite? It's all so confusing! Read what he says and the supporting documentation behind it. I might point out that he's not tied to any of the American medical organizations and corporations that I've come to distrust. I found it refreshing to gain information above and beyond what is commonly presented. The other article wasn't written by him and it is very thorough. You can also bring these points to your husband's doctor and see what he has to say. If it's so very wrong, he should have pretty sound rebuttals. Link to post Share on other sites
Author cindy0039 Posted July 1, 2003 Author Share Posted July 1, 2003 Originally posted by Ryan Read what he says and the supporting documentation behind it. I might point out that he's not tied to any of the American medical organizations and corporations that I've come to distrust. I found it refreshing to gain information above and beyond what is commonly presented. The other article wasn't written by him and it is very thorough. You can also bring these points to your husband's doctor and see what he has to say. If it's so very wrong, he should have pretty sound rebuttals. Very true. And I did find the articles interesting. I will do what you have recommended. My husband is ready to stop taking the medication (he's only been on it a few months) and this has given him the impetus to question his doctor about it. Thanks again Ryan. Link to post Share on other sites
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