The Diet Cure (Paperback)

~ Julia Ross (Author)
Key Phrases: depleted brain chemistry, master supplement plan, basic supplement plan, New York, Recovery Systems, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Ross, the executive director of a clinic that treats serious eating and weight disorders, has developed a method that uses amino acids to rebalance body chemistry for the promotion of weight loss. Ross presents her eight-step program in three parts: Part 1 starts with a Quick Symptom Questionnaire to check which biochemical imbalances you might have and reviews the eight types of imbalances; Part 2 gives recommended steps to correct imbalances; and Part 3 provides a plan for maintaining good health, including menus and recipes. Although this book contains much the same type of healthy eating advice that other diet books promote, its emphasis on biochemical imbalances as the cause of weight problems and its listing of specific amino acids as the key to the solution may be just the answer some dieters have been looking for. A useful addition to public libraries.AKristine Benishek, Shank Memorial Lib., Good Samaritan Hosp., Dayton, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140286527
• ISBN-13: 978-0140286526
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,313 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is like a magic wand, September 18, 2002

By A Customer

...at least for me! Her recommendations for amino acid supplementation worked incredibly. Although only 10 - 15 pounds overweight, I have dieted and "not dieted" since I was a teenager. By 45, I have learned that dieting, even moderate programs such as Weight Watchers, are only something I can follow for so long. I would always inexplicably binge, feel completely confused and completely without "will power" and note one more failure.

Though I would prefer to be slimmer, I have always been more upset by the fact that I couldn't "control myself" or follow through with a decision to eat healthfully and not binge. What wierd, psychological thing was causing me to do this??

Hello Dr. Ross! If only one, tiny thing stands out as a "magic wand" experience (and there are more than one) it was her "emergency" recommendation to handle cravings. Open a capsule of L-Glutemine and let it dissolve under your tongue. I have never experienced such an about-face when it came to fighting the urge to EAT IT!

From reading some reviews by others, I would encourage readers to follow her recommendations in full, not "sort of." Certainly everybody's body chemistry is different, but you will not be giving this program a fair trial if you approach it haphazardly. That said, it is a very simple program to follow: eat lots of protein, and lots and lots of vegtables and fruit, and take your amino supplements. No rigid combinations or measuring is required. You only need to make sure you're eating enough protein and veggies. (It sounded like a disaster waiting to happen for me - I never ate LOTS of either of those things!) Yes, the supplements do cost, but if you are a binge eater, believe me you'll make up the cost on all the food you DON'T buy any more.

Even if you are a vegetarian (for ethical or health reasons) consider this program. If you are as frustrated and demoralized as I was, it's really worth a try.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Made sense & answered my questions, March 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Diet Cure: The 8-Step Program to Rebalance Your Body Chemistry and End Food Cravings, Weight Problems, and Mood-Swings--Now (Hardcover)

I bought the book one afternoon and couldn't put it down until I was through reading it! It answered so many of my lingering questions that weren't urgent enough to see my doctor about but which still concerned me. Julia Ross explains the problems, causes, and solutions in a very clear and understandable way. Now I am finally able to see my patterns of dieting and the troubles which have followed me since. Although I've spent a lot of money on supplements I felt better the day I started taking them; I had more energy and my constant need for sugar disappeared. To me it's worth it! I feel safe taking the supplements because I checked with my MD before hand and he said he took amino acid supplements as well. My doctor's only recommendation was to chart and observe the way I feel so that I can create my own plan and be able to maintain my mood and control my cravings. Julia Ross recommends the same thing: to be aware of your body and be able to help it help itself.

Definitely worth reading if you are interested in health and willing to get off the teeter-totter of dieting. Who cares about "double-blind studies" if you get healthy and REAL results? Julia Ross mentions the Blood-type diets which may have been "debunked" but I have found that I am allergic to the foods that Eat Right for Your Type recommends avoiding (dairy & wheat). Personally, I don't care what the majority opinions of theories are, if I feel better and am loosing weight in a healthy way then I'm gonna go for it!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch research, August 1, 2006

By	misswhrrrled - See all my reviews

I work in molecular biology, and that has given me an understanding of cellular metabolism. In gaining this understanding, I have come to realize how horrific our American diets are. Unfortuneately, a few well meaning and misguided nutritionists and scientists earlier in teh twentieth century tried to reform our eating habits. These habits stuck, and now we have a country of fat unhealthy citizens. The more I read about nutrition, the more I understand what is wrong with our eating habits. The author has doen her research and has a very firm grasp on the concept of cellular metabolism. She references actual scientific studies that have been published. More and more literature is coming out debunking the food pyramid and extolling the health benefits of a high protein, low SIMPLE carb diet. This is not to be confused with diets such as Atkins, where all carbs are evil. Or diets such as weight watchers which encourage the consumption of processed foods. Or diets such as the Zone, whose recommended caloric intake is not enough to sustain basic cellular function. Diets such as South Beach are actually good models of a healthy eating plan. And amino acids, as Ms. Ross explains in her book, are the building blocks of proteins, whish are essential for our body to function. While her book does skip around, and can be a little hard to follow, it offers sound advice. Advice that sadly the rest of the world is slow to follow, out of ignorance.