Nathan Pritikin was an inventor who discovered how to reverse his own heart disease in the 1950's and then went on to help thousands of others do the same.  He launched several research studies to help prove the efficacy of the lifestyle program that he had developed.  In 1975, he opened the Pritikin Longevity Center in California that taught resident patients how to regain their health with improved nutrition and lifestyle habits.   

"The Pritikin diet is low in fats, cholesterol, protein, and highly refined carbohydrates, such as sugars.  It is high in starches, as part of complex, mostly unrefined carbohydrates, and is basically "food as grown", eaten raw or cooked."

"Foods high in complex carbohydrates - grains, vegetables and fruits - are the best foods you can eat.  They are most valuable when minimally processed or refined.  Not the least of the virtues of these foods is that they do no harm - while still providing us with an ample supply of the necessary vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and energy."

Nathan Pritikin from "The Pritikin Program for Diet & Exercise"  (1979)