Ornish Diet For Weight Loss: Does It Work?

These days, one of the most popular diet plans is the Ornish diet, mainly hailed for its apparent 'ability' to help reverse (or even prevent) any chronic disease while also enhancing our health. But for those who got that covered and are only looking to shed a few pounds, is it the diet to follow?

Ornish Diet

Developed by physician, researcher and founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California, Dr. Dean Ornish, the Ornish diet is basically a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet that's also low fat. It's mainly focused on plant-based foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. However, other foods like egg whites, soy products and limited amounts of non-fat dairy are also permitted.

Furthermore, refined carbs, sugar, alcohol, low-fat packaged foods and caffeinated beverages are strictly limited when on the diet.

Straightforward and very easy to follow, the diet supposedly works by activating health-promoting genes while also reversing the signs and effects of aging from a cellular level. This is done by simply switching up our eating patterns, which according to the diet's maker, can help in reversing the progression of diseases like heart disease, diabetes and even prostate cancer.

But can it help us lose weight?

The short answer is, yes. In fact, it's an excellent option if you're looking to lose weight. This is because the diet emphasizes nutrient-dense ingredients like plant-based proteins, fruits and vegetables, all while limiting any processed food and animal product.

Therefore, it can help one lose weight the same way a vegetarian diet would. What's more, it's easy to follow and maintain.

Per one study that involved 20 people, following the diet for a year resulted in an average weight loss of 7.5 pounds.

With that being said, the diet unfortunately has some downsides. For one, it's very low in healthy fats, and may also require you to take a multivitamin in order to fill any gaps that might cause nutritional deficiency.

The bottom line is, the Ornish diet is an excellent option for those looking to lose some weight, given that they understand its limitations and make up for it with careful planning.

A study in 2018 found that 31 percent of the U.S. population is at risk for one vitamin deficiency. Pixabay