Dear Friends,

I've been continuing to read and skim diet and nutrition books, to help you figure out which texts look like the most solid and sensible, which "experts" seem to be for real, and which programs might suit your needs. Since there is an avalanche of material being published week after week, and there is much hype and confusion, I hope I am providing a useful service by reporting back to you on what I find. Please keep in mind that when I mention books here, I am recommending them as references, but not necessarily as programs for you to follow.

First of all, I am not a dietitian nor a nutritionist, and I'm not qualified to make "prescriptions." And even if I were, it would be ridiculous to expect one approach to be appropriate for everyone! As we've discussed here and on the bulletin board, there is no magic bullet. Finding an appropriate way to appraise and fine-tune one's diet (and one's psychological relationship with food and with one's body) involves a fair amount of information gathering, thinking, and discussion, which then should be seasoned with a healthy dose of skepticism, as well as with hope and openness. I feel most comfortable putting it this way: Here are some very interesting and cogent ideas which could greatly help you. Look into this; perhaps you want to learn more.

The book I will talk about this month is "The Diet Cure" by Julia Ross. Ms. Ross has a Masters degree in clinical psychology, and is the executive director of Recovery Systems, a California clinic that treats eating and weight disorders with nutrient therapy and "biochemical rebalancing." I know that sounds very "New Age," but it actually makes sense. She writes firsthand about case after case involving patients who come to her feeling like a failure at weight control, heavily blaming themselves. Common problems include insistent cravings (often for sugar) and low self-esteem, largely because people think it's wrong or weak to enjoy getting emotional, as well as physiological, sustenance from food.

Says Julia Ross: "Should you feel ashamed of yourself for needing emotional sustenance from foods? No! I hope to help you understand that you are using food as self-medication, It's not because you are weak-willed. It's because you're low in certain brain chemicals. You don't have enough of the brain chemicals that should naturally be making you emotionally strong and complete."

Before the cynical among us walk away laughing, give this idea a chance. Ms. Ross's work is based on more than 10 years of clinical work with many case studies showing strong results. She has found that she can help people end their food cravings, address their eating problems, and eliminate mood swings and negative body obsession through correcting physical imbalances. She begins the book with a questionnaire that helps you self-diagnose. This can be a helpful fact-finding mission for you if you suffer from "failed diet syndrome," also from blood sugar swings, food allergies and addictions, unrecognized thyroid dysfunction, and nutritional deficiencies (including a deficiency of necessary, good fats‹which compromises the health of many people on lowfat or nonfat diets).

Included in "The Diet Cure" are the following:

• A physiological analysis of the root causes of "emotional eating"
• Advice for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike (with a strong emphasis on eating more vegetables!)
• Discussion of why, ironic though it sounds, dieting itself is the number one cause of weight gain
• Helpful advice on what can cause­and treat‹ chronic adrenal exhaustion
• A very good explanation of the physiological factors leading to food addiction and "rebound overeating"
• Information about fat deficiency and the resulting cravings
• Ideas about how to deal with unstable blood sugar levels
• Discussion of malnutrition due to low-calorie dieting (a topic rarely brought to light!)
• Herbal support for menopause
• Shopping and menu planning support
• Exercise and relaxation advice and support
• Well researched guides to help you find counselors and health care resources (how to find the right health care pros)
• A recommended reading list

This is a very intriguing book, and I'd be interested to hear your responses to it. There is also a web site: www.dietcure.com. Keep in mind that many of the supplements Julia Ross recommends, she also sells. It's good to be aware that there could be a conflict of interest. But on the other side of the coin, she is providing a service by making these supplements known and available. I think it is a good idea to look at the reader reviews at Amazon.com, and to get some feedback from people who've tried her recommendations. They are quite positive! You can also correspond with her web site, and check out her interesting links. I would not dismiss these concepts, nor would I let the conflict of interest issue keep me from exploring her ideas!

And one very last thing. If the ideas in this (or any other) "Diet Cure" book appeal to you, you should definitely consult a qualified health care provider before embarking on a program that not only recommends a healthy eating plan, but also encourages a regimen of dietary supplements.

Stay well, and please let me know your thoughts!

Mollie