The Perricone Diet

The Perricone diet was developed by Nicholas Perricone, MD, dermatologist and author of the best-selling books, The Perricone Prescription and The Perricone Weight Loss Diet, as well as several other books. The Perricone program features a rigid diet, supplements and skin care products to increase longevity, manage weight, rejuvenate skin, and decrease inflammation and swelling. Dr. Perricone claims that eating the wrong foods causes inflammation and swelling. This effect brings about wrinkles, degenerative diseases, obesity, and aging. The program promises to reverse the aging process and make you look younger in less than three days. Dr. Perricone's diet has not been published or reviewed by his peers in scientific journals.

The Perricone diet emphasizes eating foods that don't cause inflammation and avoiding foods that cause inflammation. The recommended foods contain protein, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, such as fish (wild Alaskan salmon, tuna and other fish), turkey, eggs, some vegetables (leafy greens, bean sprouts,  and tomatoes), some fruits (berries, apples), beans, oatmeal and green tea. You must drink 8 to 10 glasses of spring water daily. The foods to avoid include breads, breakfast cereals (except oatmeal), many vegetables (carrots, corn, and potatoes), many fruits (grapes, oranges, and raisins), sugar, beef, flour, coffee, pasta, and rice.The diet also recommends taking more than 25 dietary supplements (produced by Perricone) daily.

The Perricone diet requires eating five meals a day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks, with foods based on the glycemic index. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates according to the effect they have on blood sugar levels. Perricone claims that foods with a high glycemic index cause inflammation and swelling. Therefore, his recommended foods are low on the glycemic index. However, most experts question whether eating high glycemic foods is a problem for most people, as this has not been proven

The Perricone program also includes exercise, daily supplements and skin care products.  At least 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise is recommended. More than 25 supplements (produced by Perricone) are recommended to be taken daily with breakfast and lunch. However, experts recommend consulting with your health care provider before taking so many supplements. In addition, Perricone's authorized skin care products (also produced by Perricone) are extremely expensive.

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1. Perricone N. The Perricone Prescription, New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2002.

2. Perricone N. The Perricone Weight Loss Diet, New York, NY: Warner Books, 2005.

3. The Perricone Diet: What It Is, WebMD:
   

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/112/110246.htm

4. The Perricone Diet: What You Can Eat, WebMD:
   

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/112/110243.htm

5. The Perricone Diet: How It Works, WebMD:
   

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/112/110242.htm

6. The Perricone Diet: What the Experts Say, WebMD:
   

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/112/110245.htm

7. The Perricone Diet: Food for Thought, WebMD:
   

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/112/110244.htm