CHANGES IN SERUM CHOLESTEROL DURING THE STILLMAN DIET

Abstract

One has only to look at the lay press, television,and billboards to be overwhelmed by the preoccupation of Americans with eating, drinking, and dieting. In the search for the easy way to lose unwanted adiposity, almost every combination of diet, exercise, medication, and psychological aid has been heralded at one time or another. A currently popular dietary method is described in a book that has sold more than 5 million copies, The Doctor’s Quick Weight Loss Diet, by Irwin M. Stillman, MD, and S. S. Baker.’ It is basically a carbohydraterestricted diet that is rich in protein and animal fat. Similar diets have been in use for more than 150 years2 The Stillman diet consists of unlimited quantities of the following: (1) lean meat, including beef, lamb, and veal, with all visible fat trimmed off; (2) chicken and turkey with all skin removed; (3) lean fish such as flounder, haddock, cod, and perch; (4) sea food such as shrimp, scallops, lobster, oysters, clams, and crab; (5) eggs, preferably hard-boiled; (6) cottage cheese, farmer cheese, pot cheese, and other cheeses made from skim milk. None of these foods are to be prepared in any cooking oil. At least eight glasses of water are stated to be absolutely essential. Noncaloric beverages are also permitted and encouraged, as well as daily multivitamin supplements. Nothing else is allowed! Thus, the diet is virtually limited to protein and fat. The effects of this diet on serum lipids are not known. This study was performed to determine the effects of the Stillman diet on the serum lipid levels of normal, healthy volunteers.. . .