• Insulin
• Leptin
• Human growth hormone (HGH)
• Thyroid hormones
• Cortisol (the "stress hormone")
• Glucagon (which controls blood sugar)
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, which combats depression and fatigue)
• Testosterone
• Estrogen
• Progesterone

Perfect 10 Foods

• Vegetables -- you may have unlimited amounts of greens (including peas and beans) and other nonstarchy veggies, while starchy ones (such as potatoes and corn) are allowed only occasionally, in very small amounts.

• Fruits -- especially berries and citrus fruits packed with vitamin C. Limit yourself to two servings a day since fruit is high in fructose, which is used only by the liver, leaving the excess stored as fat.

• Proteins -- mostly seafood, poultry (including zinc-rich dark meat, important for the productions of sex hormones)... whole eggs... and if you like it, a serving of red meat once in a while.

• Saturated fats -- you may have one serving per day of butter (one pat) and use coconut oil (one serving is one tablespoon) as needed both for cooking or to spread on vegetables. Dr. Aziz explains that many studies over the years have confirmed that saturated fats can be helpful because they boost production of sex hormones, thus contributing to more rapid weight loss. Other allowable fats: Olives and olive oil... avocados and avocado oil... and nuts, all of which are rich in nutrients.

Forbidden Foods

• Artificially "fat-free" and "low-fat foods" (including dairy). Foods in this group are manipulated to have less fat than their unprocessed forms, and as a result, they usually have higher amounts of sugar that spike insulin release.

• Soy protein isolates. This food ingredient may sound healthful, but it is in fact highly processed and may disrupt hormonal balance due to increased concentrations and potential imbalances in isoflavones (antioxidants found in plants). Be on the alert for this ingredient in weight-loss shakes, protein bars, low-carb products and many other processed foods that are labeled "healthy."

Off to a Quick Start

• Stage One gets you off to a rapid start. Each day, you may have three meals plus one or two snacks from the accepted food list, but no grains of any sort or alcohol. Follow this for about three weeks.

• Stage Two supports continuous weight loss but provides additional choices (whole grains and a bit of alcohol). Once weight loss has begun in earnest and you have grown accustomed to following the diet regimen and exercising regularly, you may add one to three servings of whole grains per day, including whole-grain pasta, and an occasional glass of organic wine.

• Stage Three is a weight-maintenance plan that also is an excellent choice for general good health, says Dr. Aziz. Now you may add yet another whole-grain serving each day and even have an occasional sweet treat such as a piece of dark chocolate.