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Summary: It is like a magic wand
Review: ...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.
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Summary: Great nutritional info, but I'm GAINING WEIGHT!
Review: I've followed the path of the Diet Cure loosely for some 4 weeks now and I'm gaining weight. However, as someone with severe depression, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and obesity, I propose a greater challenge for the Diet Cure. Though the Multivitamins, amino acids, and Omega fatty acid supplements have made me feel less severely depressed, and my binging lessened, it's difficult to curb those old binging habits, and I end up binging even when I don't even feel like it, just an old habit that's hard to break, especially when I'm in physical pain from my Myofascial Pain Syndrome. So, as much as I want the DIET CURE to wave a magic wand and CURE me of all my physical problems, I know it cannot, even if I adhered to it much more strictly. It may work for 95% of you, but for me, I just put the book on the shelf, sigh a little, and hope I don't gain another 10 pounds in the next 4 weeks. Back to the old standby 1200 calories a day, low fat diet. No eggs or anything high fat especially! No more pumpkin seed kernals or peanuts, just back to high protein shakes again. GGGRRRRRRR
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Summary: Stopped my Severe Anxiety & Hypochondria
Review: After 7 years of vegetarianism, at 38 years of age, my chief complaints were fatigue, obsessive worrying about my health, anxiety, and ache muscles. After reading this book, I had the privilege of going to Julia's clinic. After my first day....actually the first few minutes of supplementation I was free of the compulsive worrying I had suffered for years. After a few weeks my adrenal function tests showed exhausted adrenals and additional supplements were added and my energy level improved. Additionally, I got off wheat and the muscle aches waned as well as planter faciaitis that had persisted for years. I rarely have sugar cravings and when I do they are mild and are satisfied by a piece of fruit or some popcorn and butter. I stick to the dietary recommendations generally, staying off refined sugar, alcohol, and eating lots of veggies and protein. Initially, I lost weight (my clothes felt looser) but that plateaud. A basal thermometer underarm test indicated thyroid sluggishness and I added a supplement to address this. I am now losing weight.... clothes getting baggy. Still have some worry that pops up around PMS time but it is mitigated by extra 5HTP. The GABA helped me enjoy a couple of airplane flights after years of anxious flying. Am still waiting on hormone tests and am confident any issues can be addressed.... basically, everything suggested in the book is working. I feel a heck of a lot better than I have in long time and I am optimistic that it will just keep getting better. It took years to really screw up my body through unhealthy vegetarianism....but my body is responding rapidly to the supplement support and is recovering quickly. I am very thankful to Julia for the work she has done and her wonderful staff of nutritionists. I have found their support to be key in my success. I highly recommend this book and I continue to regularly use it as a reference. UPDATE: Hormone tests showed things out of balance and I added pregestrone to my program. I also tested positive for the Hashimotos and just started on animal thyroid. Also taking Cortef for the adrenal fatigue. All of this has further reduced my fatigue and anxiety and I feel like I am on the right path to increased health. Saw some folks I hadn't seen in 6 months and they said they were amazed at how healthy I looked...one man saying that I looked 6 years younger! If you are suffering I highly recommend finding a progressive MD who practices integrated medicine and will work with you to develop a program in line with what Julia Ross presents in her book. Good luck and know that there is a way to feel better and regain your health and sense of well being.
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Summary: Recommend to everyone
Review: I couldn't put this book down either! I FINALLY got answers in an easy-to-read format about PMS, thyroid, and other "problems" that make us lose control of our weight. If you purchase the supplements online, it's cheaper. It turned out I only needed 3 types of the animo acids she recommended and a multi-vitamin. It was no more that 30 dollars. Truly a great resource for anyone.
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Summary: Solved all my problems
Review: I am a 23 year old female who for the last 9 months has been obsessing compulsively about the state of my body. I exercise heavily 6 times a week and was on a strict diet, to the point that I would only try to eat one small meal a day. I was extremely exhausted all the time, very irritable, and incredibly unhappy with my body b/c I could not lose weight. Then I read the Diet Cure, and immediately ran out to CVS and bought some of the essential supplements and amino acids. Two days later I swear I was 90% better: not only did I stop obsessing about my body but I was finally able to eat a meal without feeling so guilty for putting food, essential fuel, into my body! I mean, for the first time in almost a year, I was free because I was not thinking about food all day long, craving all day long, and hating myself for eating. This book has it all, and solved it all. Although I think I still need to address my issues with food, the advice in the book calmed my frustration with body image and has honestly given me so much clarity...in two days! Kudos to Julia Ross, she saved me!
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Summary: Another Diet called by a different name...
Review: I was extremely optimistic about this book helping me. Tired of binging on sweets and being 50+ pounds overweight, I thought for sure this would be my solution. I bought [the] supplements and took them religiously for 5 days. On day 3 my cravings were dampened - but mainly because I had a dull sense of being drugged out, with increasing feelings of depression, despair, and anxiety each day. After day 5 I decided I couldn't afford to go down the road it was taking me (I've never before felt so depressed and overwhelmed) and stopped taking them. Today (day 6), after one day off the supplements, I feel great. Although she claims it's the 'diet cure', it's really no less of a diet than any other Diet. The bottom line is: to lose weight you must alter the way you eat. Her approach, like many others, is to forget about focusing on quantities of food, but focus on and limit WHAT you are eating. Her diet is predominantly fruits and vegetables - ultimately what most sensible diets recommend to lose weight. But as a vegetarian, her anti-soy approach left me eating seeds, nuts and peanut butter throughout the day - not a very satisfying diet. Definately not one I could maintain. She mentions a few times how many calories she eats: over 3,000. She claims overweight people eat too few calories. She makes no mention of the different metabolisms people have, and at 5' 10" I'm not surprised she can eat that many calories. Down here at 5' 4" with what I suspect is a slow metabolism, I don't lose weight on that many calories - no matter what kinds of foods they come from. Although her promises are great, I question her use of amino acid supplements: what permanent effect do they have, really? The initial loss of cravings may help get through the first couple days, but then what about the rest of your life? Unless you transform your relationship to food and accept a restricted diet, this will not have a permanent weight-loss effect. I also wondered if she just didn't find a new diet gimmick - a diet packaged in a "non-diet" label - and a great way to sell supplements and her weight-loss clinic's services.
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Summary: Didn't Work For Me
Review: This diet obviously works for some people and might be great for those with alcohol and drug addictions. But I had some problems with it.
1. This is another diet that takes a one size fits all approach. It doesn't work for me. There's too much protein in her recommended diet for my system and this made me crave sweets rather than stopping my cravings. Also, it's a fairly bland diet, which is hard to stick with when you are super busy and stressed.
2. The recommended vitamin regimen is expensive and difficult. Unless you are in the $40,000 or above income bracket, it will probably be difficult for you to afford all of the supplements. I splurged and got three of the aminos plus a colon cleanse product to get rid of parasites, I also took a multi, B complex and fish oil caps. This doesn't even skim the surface of all the supplements she suggests you take. After one week, I feel jittery and spaced out, not energetic and happy. I'm still eating and craving sweets too. And I'm sick of swallowing tons of pills. It has also apparently caused some sort of chemical imbalance as this evening I went and purchased cigarettes and have smoked about ten!! And I still feel jittery.
3. Like many Americans, I cannot afford health insurance, so going to a doctor for all of the testing for thyroid, allergies, etc., is completely out of the question.
If you're upper middle class to wealthy, and have plenty of time and money to waste trying various doctors and supplementation, it might be worth your time to try and tailor this program to your needs. Otherwise, I'd suggest finding a diet and health plan that is simpler and cheaper. I'm going off this plan as of tomorrow.
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Summary: this approach works
Review: Amino acid and essential fatty acids therapies are becoming more mainstream, thank goodness. I've used these therapies and others suggested in the book in my nutritional practice, with great success.
I can't think of one client who wouldn't benefit from reading this book. In fact, I've given this book to many clients to educate them about the process we undertake to improve their health.
I can't agree more about the importance of functional testing for the adrenals. Coffee addicts often find themselves willing to ease off caffeine when they see on their lab results that their adrenals are fatigued and are not doing their job, so to speak.
Thanks to Julia Ross for enlightening the mainstream. The question is, will your drug company-sponsored physician consider nutrition in your recovery plan? Doubtful. Drugs and masking symptoms are the way of the conventional M.D. But there are plenty of nutritionists and naturopathic doctors out there who already know and use the information in this book. Take your health into your own hands. It's really not rocket science and don't let your doctor convince you that it is.
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Summary: Dear Julia Ross
Review: I have your D.C. book--I read it a year ago and have just re-read it. Please allow me to express my deep appreciation for such a staggering achievement and service to mankind. Its excellent qualities are simply too numerous to list. It raises the whole standard for "self-books" to a totally new level. Really astounding! Thousands of readers who are only moderately ill or borderline diabetics, etc., will be able to save themselves enormous suffering and financial catastrophe by reversing their downward path. In 15 minutes!! A reader can grasp the essentials in your book: What is the problem? What is the solution? I write reviews of health books; I've read them all. yours has everything, it's totally "cutting edge" in about 20 directions. Its special quality is the overall & specific clarity of presentation. Of course the crowning jewel is the amino acids as medicine... Best wishes from the frozen Ozark Mountains! I have told many people about your incredible book in the last year. You deserve so much recognition and success. Cheers.
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Summary: the Diet Cure Cures
Review: In July of 1999 I read The Diet Cure. It was the first time I ever read anything about dieting that made sense. Why could I be successful at so many things but fail miserablly at acheiving a healthy weight? Correction of chemical imbalances as described in The Diet Cure were the answer I'd been looking for. As soon as I started supplementation my cravings and headaches disappeared. I've gradually dropped from 185 lbs. to 127lbs. in one year. I was always satisfied with what I ate and was never tempted by sweets which I rarely had - usually only at birthdays or holidays for social reasons. I'm back to the weight I got married at 25 years ago. What a great feeling. I found a wealth of information in this book and found myself reading and rereading it. Thanks to Julia Ross I have truly been cured!
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