Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of the Pritikin Program

Scientists from Harvard Medical School, Stanford University, UCLA and many other research institutions have lauded Pritikin’s effectiveness to help prevent and reverse the progression of coronary heart disease and other health concerns.  So highly regarded is the Pritikin Program that it is now covered by Medicare for people with heart conditions.

Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of the Pritikin Program Include:

  • Reduce Total and LDL Bad Cholesterol 23%

    Analyses of 4,587 guests staying at Pritikin for three weeks showed an average 23% drop in total cholesterol and 23% drop in LDL “bad” cholesterol. Archives of Internal Medicine, 151:1389, 1991. See also New England Journal of Medicine, 323: 1142, 1990.

  • Reduce Triglycerides 33%

    Analyses of 4,587 guests staying at Pritikin for three weeks showed an average 33% reduction in triglyceride levels. Archives of Internal Medicine, 151: 1389, 1991. See also New England Journal of Medicine, 323: 1142, 1990.

  • Reduce Chronic Inflammation

    Inflammation of the arteries is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Within two to three weeks at Pritikin, markers of chronic inflammation, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, dropped dramatically. C-reactive protein decreased 45% among women, 39% among men, and 41% among children. Metabolism, 53: 377, 2004; Journal of Applied Physiology, 100: 1657, 2006; Atherosclerosis, 191: 98, 2007.

  • Lower Insulin Levels 46%

    In three weeks, insulin levels fell 46% in men at the Pritikin Center. Circulation, 106: 2530, 2002.

  • Alleviate the Metabolic Syndrome In Adults

    Having the Metabolic Syndrome, a condition now epidemic in the U.S., puts one at major risk for diabetes and heart disease. Among men studied, 60% no longer tested positive for the syndrome after just three weeks at the Pritikin Center. Journal of Applied Physiology, 100: 1657, 2006.

  • Alleviate the Metabolic Syndrome In Children

    Among children with the Metabolic Syndrome, 100% no longer had the clinical diagnosis of the syndrome within two weeks of starting the Pritikin Program. Metabolism Clinical and Experimental, 55: 871, 2006.

  • Lower Heart Disease Risk Factors In Children

    In two weeks, overweight children in the Pritikin Family Program decreased LDL bad cholesterol on average 25%, shed nine pounds, lowered triglyceride fats 39%, reduced key markers for inflammation, and increased the body’s production of nitric oxide, a very beneficial chemical that squelches plaque growth. Atherosclerosis, 191: 98, 2007.

  • Lower Blood Pressure To Normal, Medication-Free Levels

    Among 216 adults who entered the Pritikin Center taking pills for hypertension, 83% left Pritikin free of these pills, and with significant reductions in blood pressure. Most of the remaining 17% had their pill dosages substantially reduced. Journal of Cardiac Rehabilitation, 3: 839, 1983. See also Circulation, 106: 2530, 2002.

    In a meta-analysis of 1,117 hypertensives at the Pritikin Center for three weeks, systolic blood pressure fell on average 9%. Diastolic blood pressure fell 9%. Of those taking pills for hypertension, 55% left Pritikin pill-free, and the majority of the others had their dosages reduced. Journal of Applied Physiology, 98: 3, 2005.

  • Enhance Effectiveness of Statin Therapy

    Prior to attending Pritikin, 93 people had reduced their cholesterol about 20% on statins. After two weeks at Pritikin, they demonstrated an additional 19% decrease in cholesterol. American Journal of Cardiology, 79: 1112, 1997.

  • Control Diabetes and, For Many, Reduce the Need For Drugs

    A meta-analysis of 864 type 2 diabetics found that fasting glucose fell on average 19% within three weeks. Of those on oral drugs, 74% left Pritikin free of these drugs, and the majority of the others had their dosages reduced. Journal of Applied Physiology,98: 3, 2005. See also Diabetes Care, 17: 1469, 1994.

    A two- to three-year follow-up of another group of diabetics who attended the Pritikin Center documented long-term control of diabetes through the Pritikin Program. Diabetes Care, 6: 268, 1983.

  • Promote Healthy, Long-Term Weight Loss

    Among 4,587 adults, men lost on average 11.2 pounds and women lost 7.3 pounds within three weeks of starting the Pritikin Program. Archives of Internal Medicine, 151: 1389, 1991

    In a study of 64 people with heart disease, their weight was reduced from 174 to 163 pounds in three weeks at the Pritikin Longevity Center. At follow-up five years later, average weight had remained at 163 pounds. Journal of Cardiac Rehabilitation, 3: 183, 1983.

    In another study of 69 people with Type 2 diabetes, average weight loss was 10 pounds in three weeks at Pritikin. At follow-up two to three years later, the 69 adults had not only maintained their weight loss; they had lost on average four more pounds, shedding 14 pounds in total (from 172 to 158 pounds). Diabetes Care, 6: 268, 1983.

    The most comprehensive study of long-term weight loss ever conducted, the National Weight Control Registry, found that the vast majority of its nearly 4,500 successful people followed a program, like Pritikin, that involved daily exercise and an eating plan low in fat and very high in fiber-rich carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables. The members lost, on average, 66 pounds and, at six-year follow-up, had kept it off. Less than 1% followed a high-protein, high-fat diet. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 98: 480, 1998.

  • Eliminate the Need For Coronary Bypass Surgery

    A five-year follow-up of 64 people who went to Pritikin instead of having coronary bypass surgery found that 80% had never needed the surgery. Journal of Cardiac Rehabilitation, 3: 183, 1983.

  • Relieve Angina Pain

    Before coming to Pritikin, 80% of 64 high-risk heart patients experienced angina (chest) pain. At follow-up five years later, only 32% had angina. Journal of Cardiac Rehabilitation, 3: 183, 1983.

  • Reduce Key Risk Factors For Breast and Prostate Cancer

    Several studies have found that adopting the Pritikin Program reduced key risk factors for breast and prostate cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 86: 1419, 1994; Nutrition and Cancer, 31: 127,1998; Nutrition and Cancer, 38: 158, 2000; The Journal of Urology, 166: 1185, 2001.

  • Retard the Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells

    In in vitro testing, the serum of men following the Pritikin Program was found to retard the growth of prostate cancer cells and induce cancer cell death (apoptosis). In pre-Pritikin serum, fewer than 3% of prostate cancer cells showed apoptosis. In post-Pritikin serum (after 11 days at the Pritikin Center), almost 40% of cancer cells were on their way to death. In the serum of men following the Pritikin Program for an average 14 years, more than 50% of the cancer cells were in apoptosis. Cancer Causes & Control, 13: 929, 2002.

  • Retard the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells

    In laboratory testing, and using women’s pre- and post-Pritikin serum, the Pritikin Program significantly reduced breast tumor cell growth in three different cell lines (reductions of 7%, 10%, and 19%) and increased death (apoptosis) of cancer cells by 20%, 23%, and 30%. Nutrition and Cancer, 55: 28, 2006.

  • Prevent/Control Benign Prostate Hyperplasis (Enlarged Prostate)

    Within 2 weeks of adopting the Pritikin Program, growth of prostate epithelial cells was reduced by 13%, and fasting insulin fell 30%, which could significantly reduce risk of Benign Prostate Hyperplasis. Prostate Cancer & Prostatic Diseases, 11: 362, 2008.



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