French diet guru Michel Montignac, author of “glycemic index” weight loss books, dies

French diet guru Michel Montignac dies

PARIS — A French official says French diet guru Michel Montignac, whose “glycemic index” weight-loss books sold millions of copies, has died.

The official at the City Hall of Annemasse, in eastern France, said Montignac died on Sunday at a clinic there. The official declined to provide her name because she was not authorized to speak to the media. The cause of death was not immediately known.

The Dauphine Libere newspaper, which also reported the death, said he was 66.

Montignac, who had long struggled with his weight, devised his own diet and after four months on it, he shed 28 pounds.

Starting in the 1980s, Montignac authored several books explaining his method. According to his Web site, his books were translated into 25 languages and published in 42 countries.