special subjects
Diet Therapy
Ornish Diet
This very low-fat vegetarian diet aims to help reverse arterial blockages that cause coronary artery disease and may help prevent or slow the progression of prostate and other cancers. It focuses on plant-based foods and avoidance of fat, refined carbohydrates, and animal protein. As a component of an intensive lifestyle program for participants with symptomatic coronary artery disease, the Ornish diet is effective and cost saving. However, it is not clear what benefits result from the specific food restrictions of the diet. Similar benefits may result from other diets that limit less healthful fats and refined carbohydrates but do not limit more healthful fats (eg, olive oil). 