The Diet Cure

[DiamondDeb]

The Diet Cure by Julia Ross

I can't thank Maybellene enough for bringing this book to my attention. (copying some of her info here) In a nutshell, this book recommends amino acids to help a person restore balance the body and combat multiple physical issues that can reek havoc with our physical well being. There are quick little tests to take to analyze where your trouble spots may lie.

There are

1. Depleted Brain Chemistry: The Real Story Behind "Emotional" Eating
2. Malnutrition Due to Low-Calorie Dieting: The Number One Cause of Overeating, Weight Gain, Bulimia, and Anorexia
3. Unstable Blood Sugar: Carbohydrate Addiction, Hypoglycemia, Diabetes, and Adrenal Exhaustion
4. Unrecognized Low Thyroid Fuction: Tired, Cold and Overweight
5. Food Addictions and Allergic Reatcions: The Three Culprits
6. Hormonal Havoc: PMS, Menopause, and the Food-Mood Connection
7. Yeast Overgrowth: A Hidden Cause of Food Cravings
8. Fatty Acid Deficiency: Why you can't stop eating Chips, Cheese and Fries

I have 1, 3, 4, 6. Some folks can have all 8 things, so it was kind of a relief not to have those problems. I think the tests really will speak to you and say "OH yes, that is so me" or not phase you much... Its pretty obvious. The more I read the more things I recognize. I'm going to focus on the "brain chemistry" aspect first because its where I scored the highest but I plan to add the thyroid part ASAP.

I'm almost afraid to post this--it's been all of 2 days--but I thnk it's working. Maybe it's my imagination but I feel better. Mostly it's an overall feeling--I just don't hurt so much. I did notice one thing that is amazing. My elbows hyperextend and when I sleep they lock out. When I wake up they are always stiff and very painful to move. I always brace myself first. Since yesterday they haven't locked out at all and when I wake up they aren't stiff or painful. I woke up a couple times last night and just couldn't believe it didn't hurt to reach for the glass of water on my nightstand.

I've been taking Mass Aminos with my first 4 meals (it takes that much to get the right amounts) and 5-HTP in the evening. Now I know why I got that huge pill box from GNC a while back! lol...

I've been reading the Thyroid Chapter and it's just scary how many symtoms I have. I've had the very basic tests & they supposedly came back normal. The doctor didn't want to do all the tests I asked for. I've got an appointment with a doctor Friday who will be able to refer me to an endo, but I'm going to call another doctor this morning to see if I can get a referral over the phone to save time. I want to have my adrenals checked out too.

This is a must read!

Deb

[inatic]

thanks Deb. Looks like a good book! Might have to just check this one out.

I hope this doc or some doc does do the right thyroid tests. If nothing else peace of mind of exploring all the avenues related to it. But I really suspect that is the cause of your aches and pains.

[Leenie]

Deb, thanks I will have to check that one out and add it to my reading list.

[sunflower43017]

I just got this book from the library. It makes a lot of sense. I already occasionally take 5 htp when I get depressed. Did the other aminos work for anyone?

[inatic]

I did get the book. I am in the process of reading it.Only about 30 pages into it. Have not done any of the recommended supplements.

[DiamondDeb]

Lisa, I started out taking Mass Aminos and saw an improvement overnight. My aches & pains decreased. I'm now taking the following regularly, and, yes, I believe they help.

• GABA
• DL-Phenylalanine
• L-Tyrosine
• 5-HTP

[sunflower43017]

Just started Gaba (Gaba Calm),l- glutamine, 5 HTP and an extra B5 yesterday. I do feel calmer already(I have anxiety issues). Also I don't seem as hungry. I have to say I do feel better already after only 24 hours just like the book promised. Interesting.

[DiamondDeb]

Originally posted by sunflower43017
I have to say I do feel better already after only 24 hours just like the book promised. Interesting.

Isn't that amazing? I have always had to assume my supps were doing some good because I really didn't notice a difference. I'll continue taking these because I actually know I feel better with them! BTW, I'm taking L-glutamine, too. I always forget about that.

Did you have to order the GABA Calm or did you find it in a store?

[sunflower43017]

I found it at the store Wild Oats. They seemed to have a much better selection than the other vitamin stores around here.

[bindisue]

I read the book about 4 weeks ago, cover to cover in one night--couldn't put it down. It was one of those things you feel was written just for you
Anyway I started the next day with the supplements--I basically tested "positive" for nearly all 8 problem--so needless to say I spent some $$ on supps, but so worth it. I honestly felt completely different within 24 hours--no cravings, no binges (history of eating disorders so this is huge), so much energy--I'm actually working out more than ever and it's fun again. I haven't stepped on a scale but I know I've lost fat and inches from the way my clothes fit and the way my muscles are making a reappearance!
I'm so thankful for whoever recommended it (maybellene?), I just wish I would have read it years ago and saved myself all these years of uncontrollable food "issues".

[DiamondDeb]

Yes, Maybellene recommended the book, but someone else had suggested it to her! I honestly haven't heard anyone say that they haven't gotten results when doing what is suggested in the book. I just can't get over that!

Lisa, I'm going to have to chack & see if anyone around here carries GABA Calm! I was at the health food store yesterday and never thought to ask!

I'm going to post about this in the ML or Playground when I get the time. I really think everyone who doesn't feel 100% should check it out. I found that the few aminos I added really aren't so expensive & the benefits make it worth the investment.

I really think the title, though appropriate, is misleading. When I heard it I thought, "Oh, another dumb diet book!" Glad I was wrong!

[Leenie]

I picked this book up over the weekend. I just started reading it but am finding it fascinating!

So what supps is everyone taking?

Are you finding all of the supps at a health food store?

Are you still feeling the benefits?

How much did you spend initially and what do you estimate the monthly cost at?

If I get some free time later I'll come back and post the Quick Symptom Questionnaire for everyone to take a look at.

[Leenie]

Here is the "Quick Symptom Questionnaire"

"Circle the number next to any symptom that applies to you and follow the directions at the end of each section to calculate your score."

1. Is depleted brain chemistry the problem?

4 Sensitivity to emotional (or physical) pain; cry easily
4 Eat as a reward or for pleasure, comfort, or numbness
4 Worry, anxiety, phobia, or panic
4 Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep
3 Difficulty with focus, attention deficits
2 Low energy, drive, and arousal
4 Obsessive thinking or behavior
4 Inability to relax after tension, stress
3 Depression, negativity
4 Low self-esteem, lack of confidence
4 More mood and eating problems in winter or at the end of the day
3 Irritability, anger
4 Use alcohol or drugs to improve mood

Total Score__________ If you score is over 10, please turn to chapters 1 and 9.

2. Are you suffering because of low-calorie dieting?

4 Increased cravings for and focus on food; overeating
4 Regain weight after dieting, more than was lost
3 Increased moodiness, irritability, anxiety, or depression
3 Less energy and endurance
3 Usually eat less than 2,100 calories a day
3 Skip meals, especially breakfast
3 Eat mostly low-fat carbohydrates (bagels, pasta, frozen yogurt, and others)
2 Constantly think about weight
2 Use aspartame (NutraSweet) daily
2 Take Prozac or similar serotonin-boosting drugs
2 Have become vegetarian
3 Decreased self-esteem
4 Have become bulimic or anorectic

Total Score_____________ If your score is over 12, please turn to chapters 2 and 10

3. Are you struggling with blood sugar instability or high stress?

4 Crave a lift from sweets or alcohol, but later experience a drop in energy and mood after ingesting them
4 Family history of diabetes, hypoglycemia, or alcoholism
3 Nervous,, jittery, irritable, headachy, weak, or teary on and off throughout the day; may be calmer after meals
3 Frequent infections, allergies, or asthma, especially when weather changes
3 Mental confusion, decreased memory, hard to focus or get organized
4 Frequent thirst
3 Night sweats (not menopausal)
5 Light-headed, especially on standing up
4 Crave salty foods or licorice
4 Often feel stressed, overwhelmed and exhausted
4 Dark circles under eyes or eyes sensitive to bright light
4 More awake at night

Total Score______________ If your score is over 12, please turn to chapters 3 and 11.

[Leenie]

4. Do you have unrecognized low thyroid function?

4 Low energy
4 Easily chilled (especially hands and feet)
4 Other family members have thyroid problems
4 Can gain weight without overeating; hard to lose excess weight
3 Have to force yourself to do even moderate exercise
4 Find it hard to get going in the morning
3 High cholesterol
3 Low blood pressure
4 Weight gain began near the start of menses,k a pregnancy, or menopause
3 Chronic headaches
3 Use food, caffeine, tobacco, and/or other stimulants to get going

Total Score___________If your score is over 15, please turn to chapters 4 and 12.

5. Are you addicted to foods you are actually allergic to?

3 Crave milk, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, or doughy foods
(pasta, bread, cookies, among others) and eat them frequently
3 Experience bloating after meals
4 Gas, frequent belching
3 Digestive discomfort of any kind
3 Chronic constipation and/or diarrhea
4 Respiratory problems, such as asthma, postnasal drip, congestion
3 Low energy or drowsiness, especially after meals
4 Allergic to milk products or other common foods
3 Undereat or often prefer beverages to solid foods
3 Avoid food or throw up food because bloating after eating makes you feel fat or tired
4 Can't gain weight
3 Hyperactivity or manic-depression
3 Severe headaches, migraines
4 Food allergies in family

Total Score____________ If your score is over 12, please turn to chapters 5 and 13

6. Are your hormones unbalanced?

4 Premenstrual mood swings
4 Premenstrual or menopausal food cravings
4 Irregular periods or migraines
3 Experienced a miscarriage, an abortion or infertility
4 Use(d) birth control pills or other hormone medication
3 Uncomfortable periods--cramps, lengthy or heavy bleeding or sore breasts
4 Peri-or postmenopausal discomfort (e.g. hot flashes, weight gains, sweats, insomnia, or mental dullnes)
3 Skin eruptions with period

Total Score__________ If your score is over 6, please turn to chapters 6 and 14

[Leenie]

7. Do you have yeast overgrowth triggered by antibiotics, cortisone or birth control pills?

4 Often bloated, abdominal distention
3 Foggy-headed
2 Depressed
4 Yeast infections
4 Used antibiotics extensively (at any time in life)
4 Used cortisone or birth control pills for more than one year
4 Have chronic fungus on nails or skin or athlete's foot
3 Recurring sinus or ear infections as an adult or child
3 Achy muscles and joints
3 Chronically fatigued
4 Rashes
3 Stool unusual in color, shape or consistency

Total Score___________ If your score is over 13, please turn to chapters 7 and 15.

8. Do you have fatty acid deficiency?

4 Crave chips, cheese, and other rich foods more than, or in addition to, sweets and starches
4 Have ancestry that includes Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Scandinavian, or coastal Native American
3 Alcoholism and depression in the family history
3 High cholesterol, low HDL levels
4 Feel heavy, uncomfortable, and "clogged up" after eating fatty foods
4 History of hepatitis or other liver or gallbladder problems
4 Light-colored stool
4 Hard or foul-smelling stool
4 Pain on right side under your rib cage

Total Score____________If your score is over 12, please turn to chapters 8 and 16

[texy]

Thanks for posting all that. I have The Mood Cure and wondered what the similarities were. That was a big help, thanks!

[bindisue]

Leenie--isn't fascinating?! It was like my bible for that first month, I took it everywhere.

To answer some of your questions:

Supps - glutamine, tyrosine, DLPA, complete essentail aa, GABA, probiotics, yeast cleanse, tryptophan (and 5-HTP), chromium, biotin, B1, pantothenic acid -- pretty much everything as you can see.
I spent about 200 on the first round of supplements. I'm into my second month and so far I think I need to continue all of them--I just feel so much better and in control for the first time. I found most of them at health food stores/GNC, but I decided to order bulk quantities online--the only thing I ordered from the author's website was the tryptophan, I don't think it's in stores yet since the recall years ago.

It's so scary to think all this time I was killing myself, restricting food and ultimately caving and binging, all I needed was basically some amino acids.

Benefits - no cravings, able to enjoy balanced meals of REAL food, major energy boost, enjoying working out again, sleeping better, better mood, clothes fitting better.

Texy--is it similar to the Mood Cure? I would think a lot of these problems are connected between mood and food.

[inatic]

I read the book, well quickly the first time thru.. i thought about taking some of the supplements, then I got nervous mixing in some of them with my thyoid issues..

What if you take them and they are not needed? Are they JUST supplements or do they do other things to your body?

[lynnjp]

You talked me into it-think I will check this one out of the library -thanks for the heads up Deb and leenie for sharing the tests

[texy]

The Mood Cure covers 1,3,4 and 6 only. It doesn't seem as comprehensive as The Diet Cure.

[Leenie]

Julia Ross wrote "The Mood Cure" also

I'm about half way through the book. I can tell I'll have to re-read and take some notes throughout. I'm still skeptical that supps will make that much of a difference. It seems like I've spent $$ in the past on supps that didn't do a darn thing. It's great hearing testamonials here. I guess I'll just try it myself and see. It's just like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play! lol

Ileen, I'm just reading in the thyroid section now. Do you have adrenal issues also?

bindisue, if you would when you get a chance, pm me with your online supplier you've found. That might be the way to go to save some $$. Thanks too for your input and I'm happy to hear it's helping you!

I'm totally fascinated with this book and the similarities between food addictions and alcohol/drug addictions.

[inatic]

Leenie according to my dr I didnt. But when I started to take an addrenal supplement for a few months I felt SO much better. So I am going to assume that I had some kind of a problem but not bad enough to be picked up by the tests that the dr ran.

Addrenal issues need to be addressed BEFORE you can take care of the thyroid. That may have been why I was feeling better with thyoid treatment but just couldnt feel totally better.

I do feel almost 100 percent! It is now a matter of regulating how much T4 I need to take in addition to the T3 that I also take. That is the hard part for me. I can feel a constant flucuation of my levels through out the day that affect my energy and things like my eyes! Weird!

So many books to read!

[Leenie]

Ileen, I know what you mean about so many books to read. I love it though. From what I've read in the book I've got some adrenal issues. Interesting.

I'll let you all know what happens after I start taking all of this stuff!

[Leenie]

Ok this is what I have ordered and should be in this week:

L-Tyrosine
L-Glutamine
Gaba Calm
Dl-Phenylalanine
Glucobalance
B Complex
Vitamin E
Flax Seed Oil
Complete Essential Amino Acids

Yesterday I picked up:

Calcium/Magnesium
Vitamin C w/ Bioflavonoids
5 HTP

I also bought one of those big tablet boxes to organize all of this.

This reminds me of my Herbalife days.

Most of these supps are not that expensive. I ended up ordering the large 300 cap bottles in most just to get the bigger discount. It's nice to know that most of the supps won't be needed forever.

[Chantel]

Great thread - I cut and pasted it to my challenge group too.

You guys are so great