More than 90 studies in top medical journals have shown that the average American who adopts the Pritikin® Program can expect dramatic physiological results in just a few weeks, with additional benefits long term. Below are highlights of this research.

Since 1975, doctors nationwide have referred the Pritikin Longevity Center® & Spa to patients seeking the optimal environment for learning healthy lifelong habits.   More than 75,000 men and women have experienced the life-changing benefits of the Pritikin Longevity Center® & Spa.

Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Analyses of 4,587 participants staying at the Pritikin Longevity Center for three weeks showed an average 23% drop in total and LDL cholesterol and an average 33% drop in triglycerides. New England Journal of Medicine, 323: 1921, 1990; Archives of Internal Medicine, 151:1389, 1991.

Prior to attending the Pritikin Center, 93 patients had reduced their cholesterol about 20% on cholesterol-lowering medications.   Upon graduating from the Center, these patients demonstrated an additional 19% decrease in cholesterol. American Journal of Cardiology, 79:1112, 1997.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women as well as men in the U.S. Recent clinical trials have not shown any benefit from hormone replacement therapy in women with heart disease. By contrast, a study of 806 postmenopausal women participating in the Pritikin Program revealed a 20% drop in cholesterol and triglycerides. Women's Health Issues, 9:155, 1999.

High Blood Pressure

Diabetes

In research on 652 diabetics, 70% on oral agents left the Center free of such medications; 39% on insulin left insulin-free. Participants who continued the Pritikin Program stayed off the medications. Diabetes Care, 17: 1469, 1994.

Heart Disease

In just three weeks, men at the Pritikin Longevity Center reduced oxidative stress, controlled blood pressure, lowered cholesterol by an average of 19%, and reduced insulin levels by 46%, significantly reducing their risk of heart disease. Circulation, 106: 2530, 2002.  

For many, the Pritikin Program relieves angina pain and eliminates the need for angioplasty and bypass surgery. A five-year follow-up of 64 participants who attended the Pritikin Longevity Center instead of undergoing bypass surgery found that 80% never needed surgery. Journal of Cardiac Rehabilitation, 3: 183, 1983.

Using PET Scanning, 13 heart participants were studied before and after a six-week Pritikin Program. During that brief period of time, the patients demonstrated a significant improvement in the maximum coronary artery blood flow. Circulation, 92: 197, 1995.

Metabolic Syndrome

High insulin levels, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and obesity commonly aggregate in the same individual and greatly increase the risk for coronary disease. The Pritikin Program controlled this syndrome in just three weeks in a majority of 72 patients studied. Fasting insulin was reduced by 30-40%. American Journal of Cardiology, 69: 440,1992.

Cancer Prevention

Several studies have found that adopting the Pritikin Program reduced suspected risk factors for breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Preventive Medicine, 17: 432, 1988; Nutrition, 7: 137, 1991; Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 86: 1419, 1994; Cancer, 76: 2491, 1995; Nutrition and Cancer, 31: 127,1998; Nutrition and Cancer, 38: 158, 2000; The Journal of Urology, 166:1185, 2001.

The latest research, published in Cancer Causes and Control, December 2002, provides groundbreaking data showing that the Pritikin Program induced prostate cancer cells to die.

Weight loss

Several studies have found that the Pritikin Program helped guests lose weight safely and easily, and most importantly, taught them lifelong habits to help keep the weight off.