| South Beach Diet |
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND
DISEASES. ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2013. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES
TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND
DISEASES. ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2013. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES
TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
 | |  |
Overview
"South Beach Diet" is a trademark of South Beach Diet Trademark Limited Partnership. The South Beach Diet is a
diet plan developed by Arthur Agatston and Marie Aimon to prevent heart disease in 1980s.
In early 1980s, Agatston worked with David J. Jenkins on insulin resistance and they developed glycemic index. When
sugar absorbed to the bloodstream, insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas to the blood. In response to
insulin, cells take glucose in from the blood, which lowers the glucose levels to the normal range. After many years of
introducing quick bursts of sugar, cells become resistant to insulin.
The resistance would leave to develop diabetes, and leave sugar in the bloodstream longer leading to excessive
release of insulin. The excess insulin would eventually drive the blood sugar level below the normal values, this would
produce feeling of hunger, it ends up the subject consumes even more sugar.
The South Beach Diet divides cabs into "good carbs" and "bad carbs", and fat into "good fat" and "bad fat". Bad carbs
are heavily refined sugars and carbohydrate-rich foods creating a spike in blood sugar. Good carbs are the
unprocessed foods such as vegetables, beans, and whole gains. They have a low glycemic index. Unsaturated fats
and omega-3 fatty acid are good fats, while trans-fats and saturated fats are bad fat. One should take good carbs and
good fats. South Beach Diet is also divided into three phases, from highly restriction on diet to becoming more liberal.
For details of principles and methods of South Beach Diet, one should read the book or consult his/her medical doctor.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Modified low-carbohydrate diet (MLC diet) Vs National Cholesterol Education Program Diet (NCEP Diet)
In a study, 60 participants with BMI greater than 27 were either enrolled to the NCEP or the MLC diet. In the NCEP
diet, the percentages of calories from fat (30%), carbohydrate (55%), and protein (15%) were unchanged throughout
the trial. Saturated fat comprised less than 7% of the total fat intake, and monounsaturated fat between 10% and 15%.
The diet was adjusted to provide approximately 1300 calories for women and 1600 calories for men.
MLC diet is based on the principles of South Beach Diet. The MLC diet consisted of 2 phases of 2 weeks’ duration and
of a third or maintenance phase of 8 weeks. The first phase included a higher intake of fat (62%), very low intake of
carbohydrates (10%), and an intake of protein of 28%. In the second phase fat intake was decreased to 43% whereas
carbohydrate intake was increased to 27% and protein intake to 30%. In the third phase, the percentages of calories
were 39% from fat, 28% from carbohydrates, and 33% from protein. The percentages of calories from
monounsaturated fats were 13% in phase 1 and 8% in phases 2 and 3. In the maintenance phase the approximate
numbers of calories consumed were also about 1300 for women and 1600 for men.
At the end of the study, weight loss was significantly greater in the MLC (13.6 lb) than in the NCEP group (7.5 lb, a
difference of 6.1 lb, Regarding the LDL subclasses, there were no significant differences between the MLC and NCEP
groups. Overweight individuals, especially those with central obesity, often have hypertriglyceridemia, a component of
the metabolic syndrome. Although there were no significant differences between the groups, the MLC diet markedly
and significantly reduced triglycerides. This finding in the MLC diet group may be related to the patients’ greater
weight loss and their consumption of foods with a low glycemic index. [Y. Wady Aude, et al, JAMA Internal Medicine /
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(19):2141-2146]
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Supportive Research for South Beach Diet or Carbohydrate Restricted Diet
1. Switching from habitual diet to a carbohydrate restricted diet in trained males (n= 16) and females (n= 15) results a
reduction in body mass without changes in strength and power outputs. [Sawyer JC et al, J Strength Cond Res. 2013
Jun 14]
2. Carbohydrate restricted diets delay tumor growth compared to western diet in prostate cancer xenograft studies.
[Caso J et al, Prostate. 2013 Apr;73(5):449-5]
3. Restrictions in the calorie and carbohydrate diet decrease the cardiovascular risk indicators in overweight or obese
adults with prediabetes. [Velázquez-López L et al, Endocrine. 2013 Jun;43(3):593-602]
4. Carbohydrate-restricted diets have been shown to enhance satiation- and other homeostatic-signaling pathways
controlling food intake and energy balance, which may serve to reduce the incidence of obesity and metabolic
syndrome. Subjects received clinical instruction on the initiation and maintenance of the commercial South Beach Diet,
consisting of 2 phases: Phase I (initial 2 wk of the study) and Phase II (remaining 10 wk). Participants showed a
decrease in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and total percent body fat by study completion. Plasma fasting
insulin and leptin concentrations decreased significantly from baseline concentrations, by the end of Phase I. [Hayes
MR et al, J Nutr. 2007 Aug;137(8):1944-50.]
5. Laparoscopic gastric bypass is a popular surgical treatment for severe obesity. Researchers found no weight loss
advantage is observed in substituting a low-carbohydrate (based on the South Beach Diet), high-protein diet in place
of a standard low-fat diet in patients who have undergone laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. [Swenson BR, J Surg
Res. 2007 Oct;142(2):308-13]
6. Researchers from University of Massachusetts Medical School assessed the quality of nutrition facts in the best-
selling South Beach Diet using support in peer-reviewed literature as a measure of quality. They found that over 67%
of nutrition facts in a best-seller diet book may not be supported in the peer-reviewed literature. [Goff SL, et al, J Gen
Intern Med. 2006 Jul;21(7):769-74.] ((Note most arguments in this website have supportive reference))
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Drawback, Side Effects of South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet may come with some side effects, here is a summary of two studies:
Studies on South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet associated ketoacidosis A 30-year-old Caucasian male on a low carbohydrate diet presented with
nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The patient's bicarbonate level was 12 and he had hyperglycemia and
ketonemia. He was felt to be in diabetic ketoacidosis and was started on intravenous insulin and isotonic saline
infusions and responded well. [Chalasani S, and Fischer J. J Med Case Rep. 2008 Feb 11;2:45.
Suggested daily menus from four popular diet plans (Atkins for Life diet, The South Beach Diet, the DASH diet, the
DASH diet) were evaluated. Analysis determined that each of the four popular diet plans failed to provide minimum
Reference Daily Intake sufficiency for all 27 micronutrients analyzed. This indicates that an individual following a
popular diet plan as suggested, with food alone, has a high likelihood of becoming micronutrient deficient. [Calton JB.
J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010 Jun 10;7:24]
Thus, if you are on South Beach Diet or any special diet plan, you should process it only under your doctor's
instruction. You may also need to take certain supplements to avoid side effects such as micronutrient deficiency.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Related Articles
Glycemic Index
Obesity Prevention
How to loss weight fast
Inflammation is a disease
Some supplements are claimed to help weight loss such as:
Brown Seaweed, Acai Juice, Gymnema, Guar gum, Lecithin, Pyruvate, Damiana
__________________________________________________________________________________________
"South Beach Diet" is a trademark of South Beach Diet Trademark Limited Partnership. The South Beach Diet is a
diet plan developed by Arthur Agatston and Marie Aimon to prevent heart disease in 1980s.
In early 1980s, Agatston worked with David J. Jenkins on insulin resistance and they developed glycemic index. When
sugar absorbed to the bloodstream, insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas to the blood. In response to
insulin, cells take glucose in from the blood, which lowers the glucose levels to the normal range. After many years of
introducing quick bursts of sugar, cells become resistant to insulin.
The resistance would leave to develop diabetes, and leave sugar in the bloodstream longer leading to excessive
release of insulin. The excess insulin would eventually drive the blood sugar level below the normal values, this would
produce feeling of hunger, it ends up the subject consumes even more sugar.
The South Beach Diet divides cabs into "good carbs" and "bad carbs", and fat into "good fat" and "bad fat". Bad carbs
are heavily refined sugars and carbohydrate-rich foods creating a spike in blood sugar. Good carbs are the
unprocessed foods such as vegetables, beans, and whole gains. They have a low glycemic index. Unsaturated fats
and omega-3 fatty acid are good fats, while trans-fats and saturated fats are bad fat. One should take good carbs and
good fats. South Beach Diet is also divided into three phases, from highly restriction on diet to becoming more liberal.
For details of principles and methods of South Beach Diet, one should read the book or consult his/her medical doctor.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Modified low-carbohydrate diet (MLC diet) Vs National Cholesterol Education Program Diet (NCEP Diet)
In a study, 60 participants with BMI greater than 27 were either enrolled to the NCEP or the MLC diet. In the NCEP
diet, the percentages of calories from fat (30%), carbohydrate (55%), and protein (15%) were unchanged throughout
the trial. Saturated fat comprised less than 7% of the total fat intake, and monounsaturated fat between 10% and 15%.
The diet was adjusted to provide approximately 1300 calories for women and 1600 calories for men.
MLC diet is based on the principles of South Beach Diet. The MLC diet consisted of 2 phases of 2 weeks’ duration and
of a third or maintenance phase of 8 weeks. The first phase included a higher intake of fat (62%), very low intake of
carbohydrates (10%), and an intake of protein of 28%. In the second phase fat intake was decreased to 43% whereas
carbohydrate intake was increased to 27% and protein intake to 30%. In the third phase, the percentages of calories
were 39% from fat, 28% from carbohydrates, and 33% from protein. The percentages of calories from
monounsaturated fats were 13% in phase 1 and 8% in phases 2 and 3. In the maintenance phase the approximate
numbers of calories consumed were also about 1300 for women and 1600 for men.
At the end of the study, weight loss was significantly greater in the MLC (13.6 lb) than in the NCEP group (7.5 lb, a
difference of 6.1 lb, Regarding the LDL subclasses, there were no significant differences between the MLC and NCEP
groups. Overweight individuals, especially those with central obesity, often have hypertriglyceridemia, a component of
the metabolic syndrome. Although there were no significant differences between the groups, the MLC diet markedly
and significantly reduced triglycerides. This finding in the MLC diet group may be related to the patients’ greater
weight loss and their consumption of foods with a low glycemic index. [Y. Wady Aude, et al, JAMA Internal Medicine /
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(19):2141-2146]
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Supportive Research for South Beach Diet or Carbohydrate Restricted Diet
1. Switching from habitual diet to a carbohydrate restricted diet in trained males (n= 16) and females (n= 15) results a
reduction in body mass without changes in strength and power outputs. [Sawyer JC et al, J Strength Cond Res. 2013
Jun 14]
2. Carbohydrate restricted diets delay tumor growth compared to western diet in prostate cancer xenograft studies.
[Caso J et al, Prostate. 2013 Apr;73(5):449-5]
3. Restrictions in the calorie and carbohydrate diet decrease the cardiovascular risk indicators in overweight or obese
adults with prediabetes. [Velázquez-López L et al, Endocrine. 2013 Jun;43(3):593-602]
4. Carbohydrate-restricted diets have been shown to enhance satiation- and other homeostatic-signaling pathways
controlling food intake and energy balance, which may serve to reduce the incidence of obesity and metabolic
syndrome. Subjects received clinical instruction on the initiation and maintenance of the commercial South Beach Diet,
consisting of 2 phases: Phase I (initial 2 wk of the study) and Phase II (remaining 10 wk). Participants showed a
decrease in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and total percent body fat by study completion. Plasma fasting
insulin and leptin concentrations decreased significantly from baseline concentrations, by the end of Phase I. [Hayes
MR et al, J Nutr. 2007 Aug;137(8):1944-50.]
5. Laparoscopic gastric bypass is a popular surgical treatment for severe obesity. Researchers found no weight loss
advantage is observed in substituting a low-carbohydrate (based on the South Beach Diet), high-protein diet in place
of a standard low-fat diet in patients who have undergone laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. [Swenson BR, J Surg
Res. 2007 Oct;142(2):308-13]
6. Researchers from University of Massachusetts Medical School assessed the quality of nutrition facts in the best-
selling South Beach Diet using support in peer-reviewed literature as a measure of quality. They found that over 67%
of nutrition facts in a best-seller diet book may not be supported in the peer-reviewed literature. [Goff SL, et al, J Gen
Intern Med. 2006 Jul;21(7):769-74.] ((Note most arguments in this website have supportive reference))
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Drawback, Side Effects of South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet may come with some side effects, here is a summary of two studies:
Studies on South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet associated ketoacidosis A 30-year-old Caucasian male on a low carbohydrate diet presented with
nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The patient's bicarbonate level was 12 and he had hyperglycemia and
ketonemia. He was felt to be in diabetic ketoacidosis and was started on intravenous insulin and isotonic saline
infusions and responded well. [Chalasani S, and Fischer J. J Med Case Rep. 2008 Feb 11;2:45.
Suggested daily menus from four popular diet plans (Atkins for Life diet, The South Beach Diet, the DASH diet, the
DASH diet) were evaluated. Analysis determined that each of the four popular diet plans failed to provide minimum
Reference Daily Intake sufficiency for all 27 micronutrients analyzed. This indicates that an individual following a
popular diet plan as suggested, with food alone, has a high likelihood of becoming micronutrient deficient. [Calton JB.
J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010 Jun 10;7:24]
Thus, if you are on South Beach Diet or any special diet plan, you should process it only under your doctor's
instruction. You may also need to take certain supplements to avoid side effects such as micronutrient deficiency.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Related Articles
Glycemic Index
Obesity Prevention
How to loss weight fast
Inflammation is a disease
Some supplements are claimed to help weight loss such as:
Brown Seaweed, Acai Juice, Gymnema, Guar gum, Lecithin, Pyruvate, Damiana
__________________________________________________________________________________________