Pizza is regarded by many as a “fast food” associated
with weight gain and unhealthy nutrition. Stanford A.
Owen, M.D. (Read
Dr. Owen's Curriculum Vitae) is a physician Board Certified in Internal
Medicine and in Nutrition. He was asked by store owners
of Domino’s Pizza to deliver a “healthy nutrition” talk
at their annual business conference. In doing background
work for the talk, Dr. Owen discovered that the
nutritional breakdown of Domino’s regular classic pizza
was 60% carbohydrate (bread), 20% protein (meat, cheese,
bread), and 20% fat (meat and cheese). These food ratios
have been the recommended nutrition composition for an
“ideal” diabetic diet by nutrition professionals for the
last 40 years. The fat content of Domino’s pizza is
compatible with a “low fat” diet plan.
Dr. Owen developed a nutrition program and product,
PrescriptFit™ Medical Nutrition Therapy, aimed
specifically at diseases related to nutrition or
obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, high
cholesterol, sleep apnea, and mechanical ailments
related to weight. His program and products have proven
benefit of weight loss and symptom control in his
patients. PrescriptFit™ products have a high taste
satisfaction rating.
To prove that pizza was safe, Dr. Owen conducted a
carefully monitored trial on 7 uncontrolled diabetic
patients who could not control their blood sugar levels
with conventional diet or medication. In the 12-week
clinical trial, uncontrolled diabetics were given
PrescriptFit™ soup, shake and pudding products in
combination with a pizza-only diet. The participants
lost an average of 20 pounds (8.4% of initial weight),
lowered their blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure,
and improved symptoms. The results were published in a
major scientific peer-reviewed journal.
Dr. Owen now wants to study healthy overweight pizza
cravers concerned about maintaining good health and
weight loss using Domino’s pizza and the PrescriptFit™
shakes / soups / pudding over a 6 week period.
A sub-study will evaluate post-prandial (after meal)
glucose and triglyceride levels with pizza alone then
pizza plus PrescriptFit products at study beginning and
end. The sub-study is to evaluate effects of
PrescriptFit on glucose, lipid, and insulin metabolism.
Triglyceride elevation after meals is associated with
serious cardiovascular risk. Prevention of triglyceride
elevation would have protective impact on cardiovascular
diseases.
Pizza is the number one fast food consumed in the United
States. It is inexpensive, tastes good, stores well as
leftovers, and is convenient. Sales of pizza are
increasing.
Obesity is increasing at alarming rates and an epidemic
of diabetes is upon us.
Using foods desired by the American public combined
with scientifically designed food supplements may be an
effective and practical strategy to help
control the obesity epidemic. It may also be an
effective economic strategy in this challenging
economy.
