South Beach Diet Creator Arthur Agatston Calls Jillian Michaels "Simply Wrong" About Keto

After celeb trainer Jillian Michaels made news for calling the beloved-slash-controversial Keto diet just a "bad idea," many celebs jumped in to respond. Among those was Al Roker, who defended Keto, and characterized Michaels as "a woman who promoted on-camera bullying." And the "Keto Guido," Jersey Shore's Vinny Guadagnino, publicly called out Michaels while defending the diet as well. Days later, Michaels responded to her critics — inviting them to go "toe to toe" for a debate.

Now, she has another high-profile critic, who is going on the record to defend Keto.

Dr. Arthur Agatston, the creator of the South Beach Diet, made the interview rounds today to extoll Keto's virtues. The cardiologist says that the phase one of the South Beach diet, popularized with his best-selling book in 2003, not only helps with weight loss but has many other general health benefits as well.

Today, the doctor called Michaels just plain "wrong," in an interview with Good Day DC. 

He said, "Carbohydrates are not essential to our diet. Fats and protein are essential. Bad carbs are simply empty calories that make us hungry all the time. The Keto-friendly South Beach and Keto diets are anti-inflammatory — it's been measured. It can reverse diabetes."

He added, "As a cardiologist, I'm tired of watching our country getting fatter and sicker, more diabetic, more dementia... The idea of just 'move more, eat less' doesn't work. It's what you are eating — you have to get rid of the bad carbs and the sugar. You will feel much better. Jillian Michaels is just simply wrong." 

Here are all the celebs who have weighed in for — and against — the controversial Keto diet.