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ORNISH LIFESTYLE INTERVENTION

This section outlines the key research findings surrounding the Ornish lifestyle intervention. The Ornish lifestyle intervention is:

  • Low in fat (10-15% compared with the 20-35% recommended by the Institute of Medicine)

  • Emphasises whole foods, especially vegetables

  • Includes exercise and social support

 

KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS

WEIGHT LOSS

a. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced BMI / bodyweight

 

DIABETES

b. The Ornish lifestyle intervention diet has been associated with reduced glycated hemaglobin

 

HEART HEALTH

The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with a number of physiological changes that indicated improved heart health, such as reduced:

c. Blood pressure

d. Triglycerides

e. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)

f. Total cholesterol

g. However, it has also been associated with no change in total cholesterol.

 

It has also been associated with:

h. Reduced cardiac events

i. Reduced angina

 

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The Ornish lifestyle intervention may contribute to weight loss and improve health regarding insulin resistance / diabetes and especially heart health. 

 

REFERENCES

a. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced BMI / bodyweight

  • The Effectiveness and Efficacy of an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in 24 Sites Silberman, A, Banthia, R, Estay I, Kemp, C, Studley, J, Hareras, D, Ornish, D American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010;4:260-266. 

  • Weight loss / reduced BMI Socioeconomic Status and Improvements in Lifestyle, Coronary Risk Factors, and Quality of Life: The Multisite Cardiac Lifestyle Intervention Program Govil, S, Weidner, G, Merritt-Worden, T, Ornish, D. American Journal Public Health. 2009;99:1263-1270. 

  • Cardiac Variables Among Coronary Heart Disease Patients Pischke, C, Scherwitz, L, Weinder, G, Ornish, D. Health Psychology. 2008;27:58-592. 

  • The Contribution of Changes in Diet, Exercise, and Stress Management to Changes in Coronary Risk in Women and Men in the Multisite Cardiac Lifestyle Intervention Program Daubenmier, J, Weidner, G, Sumner, M, Mendell, N, Merritt-Worden, T, Studley, J, Ornish, D. Annuals of Behavioral Medicine. 2007;33(1):57-68.

  • Lifestyle Changes and Clinical Profile in Coronary Heart Disease Patients with an Ejection Fraction of ≤40% or >40% in the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Ornish, D. European Journal of Heart Failure. 2007:928-934. 

  • Comparison of Coronary Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Coronary Artery Disease Patients With Versus Without Diabetes Mellitus Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Scherwitz, L, Merritt-Worden, T, Marlin, R, Lipsenthal, L, Finkel, R, Saunders, D, McCormac, P, Scheer, J, Collins, R, Guarneri, E, Ornish, D. American Journal of Cardiology. 2006;97:1267-1273. 

  • Medical Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Women and Men With Coronary Artery Disease in the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Project Koertge J, Weidner G, Elliott-Eller M, et al. American Journal of Cardiology. 2003;91:1316-22. 

  • Marked Improvements in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac Risk Factors From a Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Merritt-Worden T, Ornish D, Pettengill E. Circulation. 2003;17:IV-758. 

  • Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Produces Substantial Reductions in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac  Risk Factors  Pettengill E, Pearson J, Pifalo B, et al. Circulation. 2002;106:76e-123. 

  • Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Changes on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Clinical Status in Self-Selected Heart Patients Merritt, T, Ornish, D, Scherwitz, L, et al. JCR. 1995;15:353. 

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b. The Ornish lifestyle intervention diet has been associated with reduced glycated hemaglobin

  • The Effectiveness and Efficacy of an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in 24 Sites Silberman, A, Banthia, R, Estay I, Kemp, C, Studley, J, Hareras, D, Ornish, D American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010;4:260-266. 

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c. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced blood pressure

  • The Effectiveness and Efficacy of an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in 24 Sites Silberman, A, Banthia, R, Estay I, Kemp, C, Studley, J, Hareras, D, Ornish, D American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010;4:260-266. 

  • The Effectiveness and Efficacy of an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in 24 Sites Silberman, A, Banthia, R, Estay I, Kemp, C, Studley, J, Hareras, D, Ornish, D American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010;4:260-266. 

  • Lifestyle Changes and Clinical Profile in Coronary Heart Disease Patients with an Ejection Fraction of ≤40% or >40% in the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Ornish, D. European Journal of Heart Failure. 2007:928-934. 

  • Medical Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Women and Men With Coronary Artery Disease in the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Project Koertge J, Weidner G, Elliott-Eller M, et al. American Journal of Cardiology. 2003;91:1316-22. 

  • Marked Improvements in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac Risk Factors From a Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Merritt-Worden T, Ornish D, Pettengill E. Circulation. 2003;17:IV-758. 

  • Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Produces Substantial Reductions in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac  Risk Factors  Pettengill E, Pearson J, Pifalo B, et al. Circulation. 2002;106:76e-123. 

 

d. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced triglycerides

  • The Effectiveness and Efficacy of an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in 24 Sites Silberman, A, Banthia, R, Estay I, Kemp, C, Studley, J, Hareras, D, Ornish, D American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010;4:260-266. 

  • Comparison of Coronary Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Coronary Artery Disease Patients With Versus Without Diabetes Mellitus Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Scherwitz, L, Merritt-Worden, T, Marlin, R, Lipsenthal, L, Finkel, R, Saunders, D, McCormac, P, Scheer, J, Collins, R, Guarneri, E, Ornish, D. American Journal of Cardiology. 2006;97:1267-1273. 

  • Marked Improvements in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac Risk Factors From a Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Merritt-Worden T, Ornish D, Pettengill E. Circulation. 2003;17:IV-758. 

  • Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Produces Substantial Reductions in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac  Risk Factors  Pettengill E, Pearson J, Pifalo B, et al. Circulation. 2002;106:76e-123. 

 

e. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced LDL

  • The Effectiveness and Efficacy of an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in 24 Sites Silberman, A, Banthia, R, Estay I, Kemp, C, Studley, J, Hareras, D, Ornish, D American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010;4:260-266. 

  • Weight loss / reduced BMI Socioeconomic Status and Improvements in Lifestyle, Coronary Risk Factors, and Quality of Life: The Multisite Cardiac Lifestyle Intervention Program Govil, S, Weidner, G, Merritt-Worden, T, Ornish, D. American Journal Public Health. 2009;99:1263-1270. 

  • The Contribution of Changes in Diet, Exercise, and Stress Management to Changes in Coronary Risk in Women and Men in the Multisite Cardiac Lifestyle Intervention Program Daubenmier, J, Weidner, G, Sumner, M, Mendell, N, Merritt-Worden, T, Studley, J, Ornish, D. Annuals of Behavioral Medicine. 2007;33(1):57-68.

  • Lifestyle Changes and Clinical Profile in Coronary Heart Disease Patients with an Ejection Fraction of ≤40% or >40% in the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Ornish, D. European Journal of Heart Failure. 2007:928-934. 

  • Comparison of Coronary Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Coronary Artery Disease Patients With Versus Without Diabetes Mellitus Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Scherwitz, L, Merritt-Worden, T, Marlin, R, Lipsenthal, L, Finkel, R, Saunders, D, McCormac, P, Scheer, J, Collins, R, Guarneri, E, Ornish, D. American Journal of Cardiology. 2006;97:1267-1273. 

  • Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Changes on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Clinical Status in Self-Selected Heart Patients Merritt, T, Ornish, D, Scherwitz, L, et al. JCR. 1995;15:353. 

 

f. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced total cholesterol

  • The Effectiveness and Efficacy of an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in 24 Sites Silberman, A, Banthia, R, Estay I, Kemp, C, Studley, J, Hareras, D, Ornish, D American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010;4:260-266. 

  • The Contribution of Changes in Diet, Exercise, and Stress Management to Changes in Coronary Risk in Women and Men in the Multisite Cardiac Lifestyle Intervention Program Daubenmier, J, Weidner, G, Sumner, M, Mendell, N, Merritt-Worden, T, Studley, J, Ornish, D. Annuals of Behavioral Medicine. 2007;33(1):57-68.

  • Lifestyle Changes and Clinical Profile in Coronary Heart Disease Patients with an Ejection Fraction of ≤40% or >40% in the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Ornish, D. European Journal of Heart Failure. 2007:928-934. 

  • Marked Improvements in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac Risk Factors From a Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Merritt-Worden T, Ornish D, Pettengill E. Circulation. 2003;17:IV-758. 

  • Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Produces Substantial Reductions in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac  Risk Factors  Pettengill E, Pearson J, Pifalo B, et al. Circulation. 2002;106:76e-123. 

  • Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Changes on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Clinical Status in Self-Selected Heart Patients Merritt, T, Ornish, D, Scherwitz, L, et al. JCR. 1995;15:353. 

 

g. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with no change in total cholesterol

  • Comparison of Coronary Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Coronary Artery Disease Patients With Versus Without Diabetes Mellitus Pischke, C, Weidner, G, Elliott-Eller, M, Scherwitz, L, Merritt-Worden, T, Marlin, R, Lipsenthal, L, Finkel, R, Saunders, D, McCormac, P, Scheer, J, Collins, R, Guarneri, E, Ornish, D. American Journal of Cardiology. 2006;97:1267-1273. 

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h. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced incidences of cardiac events

  • Intensive Lifestyle Changes for Reversal of Coronary Heart Disease  Ornish D, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, et al. JAMA. 1998;280(23):2001-7. 

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i. The Ornish lifestyle intervention has been associated with reduced angina

  • Angina Pectoris and Atherosclerotic Risk Factors in the Multisite Cardiac Lifestyle Intervention Program Frattaroli, J, Weidner, G, Merritt-Worden, T, Frenda, S, Ornish, D. American Journal of Cardiology. 2008;101:911-918. 

  • Community-Based Lifestyle Change Program Produces Substantial Reductions in Biomedical and Psychosocial Cardiac  Risk Factors  Pettengill E, Pearson J, Pifalo B, et al. Circulation. 2002;106:76e-123. 

  • Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Changes on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Clinical Status in Self-Selected Heart Patients Merritt, T, Ornish, D, Scherwitz, L, et al. JCR. 1995;15:353.

 

 

FULL REVIEW

https://www.uclahealth.org/lifestyle-medicine/workfiles/Ornish_LiteratureReview.pdf (accessed Aug 1, 2019)

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