Dr. Oz: The DNA Diet – Low Fat, Low Carb & Balanced Diet

Doctor Oz did a segment on his television show about finding the perfect diet for your genes and your DNA.  Could your DNA be responsible for why you have not been able to lose weight on previous diet plans?  Perhaps your DNA can tell you the right diet for you!  Dr. Oz said that based on studies, 95% of people who go on diets gain back the weight they lose on their diet within a few years, and even worse is that 41% of people who diet actually gain more weight back than they ever lost in the first place.  Another study done at Stanford University found that when they assigned diets at random to a group of people, some people lost weight while others did not.  Then the group at Stanford did another study where they first tested their group of participants for 3 gene variations, and assigned a diet based on their DNA.  The results of this study was that people who were assigned a diet based on their DNA type lost up to 2.5 times as much weight as those people randomly picking a diet.

David Katz, author of Dr. David Katz’s Flavor-Full Diet: Use Your Tastebuds to Lose Pounds and Inches with this Scientifically Proven Plan, said that nutrigenomics (the field of finding a link between genetics and diets) “makes sense because our genes control hormone levels, enzyme levels – all the basic levels of metabolism. And how we metabolize food determines what happens to the nutrients and calories we take in.”  Dr Ken Kornman said that you can get a DNA test that you do at home with a cotton swab for $149.  You can get a DNA or genetics test at a variety of places (I’m going to ask my doctor if we can do it at his office), but Kerri Glassman, author of The O2 Diet: The Cutting Edge Antioxidant-Based Program That Will Make You Healthy, Thin, and Beautiful, said that we don’t have to get a DNA test because there are various signs and indicators that we can  notice on our own.  Kerri Glassman said “Physical measures — the things you see in the mirror, clinical measures — simple tests you get at a yearly check-up, and also symptomatic measures, ways you’re feeling physically or emotionally” can all be indicators for which type of diet is best for our DNA.  Follow this guide to figure out which DNA type you are and which diet type will work best for your body type:

Which Diet Is Best for Your DNA & Genetics Type?

1.  Low Fat Diet DNA Signs

If you have the following, then a low fat diet is likely to be most successful for you:

– History of heart disease in your family.

– Low energy levels

– High LDL cholesterol levels

If you have the above characteristics, then a low fat diet will help you to lose weight and prevent diseases you are most at risk for.  You should skip carbohydrates, refined sugar and fattening foods (all of which make you have less energy and feel more sleepy).  Instead, get an energy boost from foods that are low in carbs such as quinoa, black beans or legumes.  Also, incorporate monounsaturated fats  such as avocado and extra virgin olive oil to make your HDL cholesterol levels better.

2.  Low Fat Diet Rules

– Do not eat over 77 grams of fat per day

– Your diet should include 70% carbs, 15% protein and 15% fat

3. Low Carb Diet DNA Signs

If you have the following, then a low carb diet is likely to be most successful for you:

– Weight around your midsection (“belly fat”)

– High blood pressure

– High triglycerides

Dr. Oz says that if you have a waist that is over 35 inches, you have a higher chance of getting gall bladder disease, heart disease and diabetes.  Belly fat can also indicate that you are resistant to insulin and have trouble digesting sugar.  If you can lose just 10% of your weight, you will lower your blood pressure significantly.

4. Low Carb Diet Rules

– Get rid of white foods (potatoes, white bread, white rice, etc.)

– Eat lean proteins and limit the carbs

– Your diet should include only 20-60 grams of carbs a day.

– Your diet should be made up of 30% carbs, 40% fat and 30% protein

5. Balanced Diet DNA Signs

If you have the following, then a balanced diet is likely to be most successful for you:

– History of diabetes or heart disease in your family

– Mediterranean background and ethnicity

– Indigestion or constipation regularly

6. Balanced Diet DNA Rules

– Dr. Katz said it is important to use our family’s background to guide or diet.  For example, Scandinavians should have a lot of dairy, because they aren’t lactose intolerant (compared to people from Native American and Chinese backgrounds).

– Your diet should include 50% carbs, 30% fat, and 20% protein.