The Diet Cure : The 8-Step Program to Rebalance Your Body Chemistry and End Food Cravings, Weight Problems, and Mood Swings-Now

by Julia Ross

Editorial Reviews

For most health books, the word cure in the title is a definite sign to steer clear. The Diet Cure is a refreshing exception. Author Julia Ross has the unusual job description of "nutritional psychologist," which means that she works with people to eradicate food cravings, addictions, and eating disorders (including overeating). The gist of The Diet Cure plan is that food allergies, hormonal irregularities, blood sugar swings, and thyroid dysfunction, among other factors, cause biochemical imbalances that lead to food addiction and weight gain, and that these problems can usually be lessened or eradicated with the proper diet and supplements.

To be sure, most of these health problems ought to be diagnosed by a medical professional, but they often get overlooked because their symptoms can be numerous and vague (fatigue, depression, inability to concentrate). They're not easily diagnosed by the common managed-care tests (such as the TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone, blood test; Ross advises several more specific tests if a thyroid problem is suspected). Ross's questionnaires, worksheets, and profiles of case studies from her 10 years of clinical experience will enable you to determine what may be the hidden causes that sabotage your weight-loss efforts. Ross's book should be lauded for its educational tone. She warns of the dangers of zinc and vitamin B1 deficiencies, two common problems found in chronic dieters, along with protein and fat deficiencies and adrenal exhaustion (which is particularly common in caffeine fiends). She rails against the most popular diet programs, including the Zone, the Atkins Diet, and even Weight Watchers, for (among other things) their ignorance of food allergies such as grains, dairy products, and sugar. For those whom Ross terms, perhaps frighteningly, sugar addicts or "recreational sugar users," she suggests an amino-acid and fish-oil supplement plan to curb sugar cravings and aid weight loss. Many of her patients over the past decade testify in the book that their environmental allergies and weight-loss problems disappeared after they cut sugar from their diets. Ross's suggestions may seem radical to many primary-care physicians; her approach to health and weight loss definitely takes a holistic approach. She does, however, back up her suggestions and plan with references to medical studies, along with dozens of print and online resources on finding a nutritionist, naturopathic physician, holistic M.D., and testing labs (many of them mail-order). This is one diet that Americans in particular ought to pay attention to.

Book Description
The highly successful individualized program that treats the underlying causes of overeating and ends food cravings in 24 hours--naturally For the more than eighty million Americans who diet regularly--and without success--this amazing new program, based on ten years of proven clinical results, offers a revolutionary approach to nutrition that can safely curb your cravings and make you feel better in less than twenty-four hours. The Diet Cure begins with an 8-Step Quick Symptom Questionnaire that helps readers identify their unique underlying biochemical imbalances, such as depleted brain chemistry caused by too much dieting, hormonal irregularities, blood-sugar swings, food allergies, thyroid dysfunction, and a deficiency of "good" fats. Then it provides targeted strategies and nutritional guidelines to correct those imbalances, along with meal plans, tasty recipes, and inspiring case histories. Using amino acids to jump-start the program, readers create a safe, customized, easy-to-follow plan to end their food obsessions and attain their ideal healthy weight for good. "The Diet Cure is an amazing book, filled with wisdom, experience, and practical advice. Nutrients, amino acids, and dietary interventions will become a much larger part of what physicians use in the twenty-first century. This book will help lead the way."--Daniel G. Amen, M.D., author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

Synopsis
Best of the Best. Written by a veteran in the field of eating disorders addiction, this fast, personalized body repair manual for weight loss, mood balance, and energy offers a new way to stop food cravings and cure mood swings. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title

The author, Julia Ross, May 22, 1999
Breakthrough techniques for weight and eating problems
Greetings Amazon Browsers! My book isn't like any diet book you have ever read. I don't mention calories except to forbid you to eat too few! I don't tell you to tune in to your "real" appetite because I know that if you could have you would have long ago. I don't tell you to discipline yourself because I know that your weight and eating habits are not the result of laziness, gluttony, or because you don't want to exercise or eat well. You may be trapped inside a body that is malfunctioning. Your body needs help. Years of dieting, psychotherapy, and the best pep talks about accepting your body as is can't help much when what you really need is a biochemical overhaul. We know now that dieting leaves us in worse shape than we were in when we started. Our health, energy, mood, and weight have all deteriorated because of dieting. And yet we can't quit. We know no other escape from the weight gain that was triggered by our last diet! What we really need now is to be cured of dieting. We have to find an entirely new way to deal with our weight--a Diet Cure! Fortunately, we have now learned how to identify and repair the underlying physical imbalances that are the real causes of overweight and eating problems. Amino acids are one of the keys to the Diet Cure. These nutrient supplements are stronger than willpower and more effective and safer for most people than drugs like Prozac and Fen-Phen. Available in every health food store in America, these isolated protein fragments are the miracle foods that your brain uses to dopamine/norepinephrine-your natural cocaine; endorphin-naturally stronger than heroin; and GABA-naturally more relaxing than Valium. A brain that is fully stocked with these natural mood enhancers simply has no need for a sugar high. What's more, you won't have to wait weeks or months to see changes in your body. My clients consistently report that within twenty-four hours after taking amino acids, their moods lift and their food cravings disappear-naturally. You will find that the amino acids and other nutritional strategies detailed in my book will work just as well for you. Best wishes, Julia Ros --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author
Julia Ross, M.A., is the Executive Director of Recovery Systems, a clinic that treats eating and weight disorders with nutrient therapy and biochemical rebalancing. A pioneer in the field of nutritional psychology, Ross has been featured on many radio and television programs, including Leeza and the 700 Club, and in Natural Health, Delicious, and other magazines.

I've used Julia's Program, May 28, 1999
Reviewer: edna@serv.net from Washington State, USA
I've been on Julia's program for since February 1999. I think highly of it. My health, energy and mental clarity have never been this good before. Now that my health is better, my weight is starting to respond too. I highly recommend her work. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Best nutrition book I've ever read!, June 18, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Seattle, WA
After following the advise of the author, I feel better than I did 20 years ago. Many of her suggestions do work almost instantly. My sugar cravings vanished like magic and my weight has dropped without my ever feeling hungry. My energy level is way up. People are remarking that I look 10 years younger, but the best part is that I quickly started feeling better than I ever expected to feel again. This stuff works! I've read many books about nutrition, diet, and emotional well being. This one is THE BEST!!! --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

This book could save your life!, June 19, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from central New York
This book is great! I've finally kicked my sugar addiction (painlessly!), I've lost 8 pounds in the last 3 weeks, I've been eating GREAT food, and not going hungry at all! If you want to have control of your food, instead of your food controlling you, buy this book! --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

This book is for real..., June 20, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Washington, DC
This is the most unusual diet book ever -- it actually delivers fast results and rational advice for long-term success. It satisfies both the hopeful "I want a miracle" side of you and the practical "there are no mircles" side. You will notice results within 24 hours and you will accept that losing weight takes time and effort. Best of all, by following the advice of this book, you will be able to stick with these diet and life changes. You'll be strong and persistent with far less pain and struggle than you've ever felt before. I've tried a lot of diets, doctors, programs, etc. and this one has proven to be the best from the very start. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Finally! Sane, sensible and SAFE advice that works!, June 23, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from San Francisco, CA
After years of yo-yo dieting, I've finally found something that makes sense. I've suspected for years I had low thyroid function, but the blood test my doctor ran showed me in the "normal" range. This book explains how that test (the TSH) can be misleading and what other tests can be used to PROPERLY diagnose thyroid and other hormonal imbalances. I started taking three simple amino acid supplements, and I felt better within 48 hours! Really! My energy is better, my sugar cravings are virtually gone, and I don't have all the muscle tension and aches that I used to have every day! This book offers sane, sensible and SAFE advice (I checked on this!) on using nutritional supplements to help re-balance the body's chemistry so that it can work better. It also recommends seeing a medical doctor to have certain tests run, to see if prescription medication is needed. The book has chapters on how to help problems with mood, energy, sugar/starch cravings, recurrent yeast infections, food allergies, and disgestion. It also reaffirms in a positive, supportive way that weight problems are not due to lack of willpower, but can be caused by our body's chemical imbalances. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Excellent, Common Sense Approach, June 26, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Nashville, TN
I was really impressed by this book... and I've been reading and researching nutrition and health for over 15 years. Julia does offer a lot of advice on how supplements can help with certain problems... like sugar cravings, PMS, thyroid, etc. Ordering the supplements was rather expensive (200 dollars), but you need most of them very short term... and I can't believe how different I feel. For those of you who either can't afford the supplements or don't want to take them, buy this book anyway. Her approach to eating is so sound, that I'm sure that will do a lot in helping you to feel better. General advice... lots of fruits, veggies, low-fat protein, smaller portions of starchy carbs/grains, nuts, and oils. Probably eating more calories than you're used to.... yet you feel so healthy and you still lose weight. I also recommend Nikki and David Goldbeck's book, "The Healthiest Diet in the World". --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Sound, inspiring advice, July 12, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Tidewater, Virginia
I've read through the book twice because I felt that the information was so important. I've never been very much over weight but after having two babies, at ages 39 and 41 (I'm now 43 y/o), I've started to store fat around my middle. I do aerobics and weight training so the rest of my body is very lean. I could never understand why I was only retaining fat around my middle. I feel that this book may the the answer to my problem. I've been a vegetarian for about a year and a half and have become addicted to carbs. I started following the plan almost two weeks ago and have lost one pound. I'm now at 104 pounds and would like to go to 98 - 100 pounds I'm 4'11" tall. I think it will probably take me a bit longer to lose since I don't need to lose very much. I'm very excited about following the plan and being able to finally lose my tummy once and for all. This is a very sound nutritional program that I can follow for life. The supplements really do stop the cravings. I'm grateful for this book and very inspired! --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.