The Schwarzbein Principle: How can it work for you?

 Weight loss seems to be a perennial concern for many Americans these days. As obesity rates increase and more and more people are diagnosed with diabetes, researchers and doctors have developed hundreds of plans and programs to help people control their weight and shed unwanted pounds. Dr. Diana Schwarzbein is one of those doctors who drew from her experience working with Type II diabetes patients to help people, not only diabetics, lose weight with what is now called the Schwarzbein Principle.

Dr. Schwarzbein published her weight loss guide, “The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger” in the late 1990s, at a time when many authors were also publishing low-carb health plans for weight loss. Dr. Schwarzbein had also noticed that in her patients, high carbohydrate and low fat diets caused weight gain, and she set out to find the connection between insulin and carbohydrates as she developed her program and principle. Due to the success of other low-carb programs and the success that thousands of people have had on them, there is certainly something to the idea of cutting carbs to lose weight.

At first glance, this diet resembles other low-carb diet plans being marketed today. Lots of protein, little or no carbohydrates. But the Schwarzbein principle also forbids all sugars, including artificial sweeteners, salt, caffeine, and alcohol. According to the schwarzbein principle, these foods and carbohydrates temporarily increase your insulin levels. These regular increases eventually build up your body’s insulin resistance. This insulin resistance, in turn, is a significant factor in weigh gain, and conversely, but reducing this insulin resistance one can regain control of the weight and begin to lose weight.

The schwarzbein principle also instructs participants in the program to avoid all processed foods, and stick to natural, whole foods that are easier for the body to handle and lack the unnecessary additives that can be difficult for your body to process.

The schwarzbein principle has spawned a number of books on the program, including a follow up book entitled: “The Schwarzbein Principle II: The "Transition" - A Regeneration Program to Prevent and Reverse Accelerated Aging.” Other books on the schwarzbein principle include: “The Schwarzbein Principle, The Program: Losing Weight the Healthy Way,” “The Schwarzbein Principle Cookbook,” and “The Schwarzbein Principle Vegetarian Cookbook.” All of these books have been written by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, or have been put together with her as a significant contributor to the book.

As with other low-carb diet plans, the schwarzbein principle has its critics, side effects, and concerns. As with other low-carb plans, lack of carbohydrates for Americans means a significant reduction in fiber intake, which can lead to constipation and bloating. Also, the whole and organic foods recommended by schwarzbein principle can cost significantly more than the mainstream foods available today, so it can be very difficult for some people to be able to afford to follow schwarzbein principle in order to lose weight.

Like the Atkins and Zone plans, the Schwarzbein Principle is yet another low-carb diet plan that became popular in the late 1990s. While it has the usual run of problems and side effects, thousands of individuals have tried the program and have found weight-loss success using it. As with any weight loss products, don’t substitute Dr. Schwarzbein’s general advice to the masses for individual advice from your own personal doctor. Please make sure to consult your own general practitioner before engaging in any weight loss program, especially one that seeks to radically change what you eat, when you eat, and how you eat!