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

I bought this book a few years ago. I didn't lose weight, but I felt it was valuable in many other ways. First, I was encouraged by the section on hypothyroidism to pursue a detailed thyroid investigation (beyond the standard tests) and am now on hypothyroid medication, which gives me more focus and a sense of well-being, even if I haven't lost weight. I also started taking SAM-e which I also find very helpful for having more energy. I was also encouraged to go to a naturopath and holistic doctor to take things such as adrenal fatigue seriously and attempted to work those out. Second, I found the section on amino acid supplements very helpful. I don't take L-Glutamine due to it causing very bad cystic acne (unfortunately, for whatever reason), however, I have found the other amino acid supplements helpful. Initially I took the rigorous, high-dose supplement plan (despite the cost and funny looks from people around me), and eventually tapered off to occasional use of some of them when I feel it is necessary. I feel like they contributed to my overall health and well-being and helped me get through some emotionally challenging times and helped me to distinguish between feeling down biochemically versus emotionally and have become quite a believer in the usefulness of amino acid supplements (although no one I tell seems to believe me). So, overall, I feel like reading the book was very valuable to me and had a lot of helpful information, even if it didn't work out for weight loss. Also I appreciate that the book is well-written, with detail and research-based or experience-based references to back it up, rather than just personal opinion or popular belief, which is what most diet books are about these days.

Since the birth of my last child, I had been bouncing around from diet to diet, beating myself up for not being able to control my cravings, feeling increasing anguish over how to get back to a healthy weight. . .and a healthy mind. I found myself obsessing about my weight as well as other areas of my life. I was exhausted and addicted to my afternoon Diet Coke. I couldn't figure out why calorie counting wasn't working well for me this time around. I figured that age and a slowing metabolism had caught up with me, still I was miserable and didn't know what to do. Enter "The Diet Cure." I came across a discussion of the book on a weight loss message board and decided to give it a try. I downloaded it to my iPad and immediately started reading. The author is a specialist in addiction recovery and had found success in dealing with the biochemical side of addictions. It's not just about willpower, but about our diet (more specifically, dietary deficiencies) and its relationship to our brain chemicals. She has a series of questionnaires intended to help you discover where your deficiencies lie. It made so much sense to me. The book is a little difficult to follow, especially in digital format. She has a chapter devoted to each area of deficiency and then, a separate chapter on what to do to correct it. I will probably buy the physical book, just to be able to flip back and forth more easily. I went online and bought my supplements, mostly amino acids. I required several different ones and it cost about $100 (vitacost.com is the least expensive, imo), which was an amazing bargain compared to what I paid this past year to lose weight (I've done bloodwork, joined Weight Watchers and even did the horrible Hcg diet). The author has a chart in her book that gives you a supplement schedule so you can take the proper doses spread throughout the day. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I felt better 24 hours after starting supplementation. It was a complete turnaround! My cravings completely disappeared. I stopped thinking about when and what I could eat next, and then berating myself for being hungry--again. I suddenly felt energetic and motivated. I could stay up in the evening and get housework and projects accomplished. I didn't feel like I had to run out and get a diet drink in the afternoon. A few times I was running errands and I wanted to stop and get one, but it wasn't so much for the caffeine boost as for the taste. It took less than a week to realize I didn't even need the taste any more. I can turn down desserts with ease. It's as though the allure of food is gone. I eat a small meal of whole foods, and I feel satisfied. Even years ago when I lost weight more easily, it was never this easy. I really never thought I would feel peace again over my weight and food. I thought I'd have to grit my teeth for the rest of my life (I'm a 40 year old female), constantly denying myself, giving in, and then beating myself up. It's astounds me that my problem was biochemical--but even more amazing is that there is a way to correct it. I can't recommend The Diet Cure enough. Thank you, Julia Ross!

Love the information and it works, but could be organized a LOT better. A lot of jumping around from one chapter to the next. Many times I'd read a tip or point about a supplement in one chapter that is majorly changed or augmented by another tip in a subsequent chapter. A necessary chart is printed sideways on a page. This stuff works...I've lost twenty pounds in a month and have completely lost my sweet tooth while giving up caffeine and feeling better emotionally. For the first time in my life, I have a clear "I'm full" signal from my stomach long before I'm bloated and stuffed. Coke Zero now tastes horrible to me, and fresh fruit tastes better than it ever did before. Fresh pineapple is sublime! This is wonderful. But it could be organized so much better. Don't expect a quick read, but be prepared to take a college semester course. What I'd kill for is for an app based on the materials that could recommend a customized supplement and eating plan based on your answers to the book's quizzes. If Ms. Ross were able to that and charge a hundred dollars, I wouldn't be able to give her my money quickly enough. Unlike the dozens of diets and foodplans I've tried over the years, I have no intention of giving this one up after a month and going back to the Standard American Diet. Highly recommended.

I'm an older female (61) that used to be quite fit, committed to exercise and diet. Then I bonked with menopause. The hormonal changes, i.e., insomnia, not able to take weight off unless very restrictive, unable to maintain weightloss --all has caused my metabolism to take a nosedive. I've been struggling for about 3 or 4 years. I've not only been yo-yoing but increasingly my moods have gone from blah to full-blown depression. My focus is always on this so I've neglected other areas of my life that, well, would cause one to get depressed. I received this book on Saturday. I already had a lot of the supplements but this book taught me how to use them. Sunday = no depression, increased energy, good mood, NO cravings. It's now Wednesday, and usually work sends me right back to zero. Not this week. I'm focused, the days are going by quickly and I haven't thought about carbs, or sweets or anything but my preferred WOE since Saturday. I HIGHLY recommend this book. I've read others that say it's bouncing around between chapters and too hard to follow. Well, yes, there is that. I don't find it difficullt at all. That's what stickies are good for. Get your highlighter out. Treat it like a text book. She needs to be very careful and very meticulous about giving this advice or "prescription", if you will. And Dr. Ross does a darn good job of it. I think I can say I'm acually happy :). At least since Sunday. You should be experimenting with dosages to find what works for you. What works this month, maybe it won't next month. But I can't see how anyone could completely fail on this, if you really apply yourself. I'm off to get her Mood Cure, as well.

I know how people hate on negative reviews but this is just my opinion, I'll let you decide for yourself. -A.) Says every runner has to go through a wall of pain to get to the endorphin high and that by going through said "wall of pain" they get a high but are damaging themselves. I've been running for a decade and have no clue what this wall of pain business is. If you're running and in pain, as a runner my advice is to slow down and walk. Also I think the endorphin thing is blown way, way, way out of proportion. -B.) Recommends Homeopathy. I don't think I should have to elaborate on that. -C.) Her citations are not of scientific studies rather other diet and fad books like Dr. Atkins. -D.) Holds on the old idea that blood type somehow influences exercise and food requirements something that has been thoroughly scientifically debunked. The positives: Recommends more vegetables in the diet, pretty much common sense. Eat well, feel better. Doesn't recommend calorie restriction, which is refreshing. Does inform readers about Amino Acids. I wish the information was more complete, scientific, well cited and referenced. Also worried that people will think because they are "natural" that they are also safe. She has a small blurb about side effects which is good but not sure she goes far enough. For instance recently green tea supplements came into the spot light after several people had liver failure. L-Tryptophan has had some past issues which she says are cleared up, but it's scary not to fully understand side effects particularly if Aminos do directly effect the brain as she suggests. Over all - the Amino Acid portion of the book was interesting but most seemed to be rehashed Woo from other authors in other books most of which had been debunked. (Also a couple of things about the Aminos didn't add up like how DL-Phenylanine is recommended along with L-Tyrosine despite the fact they're basically the same thing. L-P converts to L-T. I will just assume there is a reason she wants a person to take both and I am not an expert and don't know...) I really wanted to like this book but I gotta give it three stars.

This book is wonderful! There is a checklist at the beginning of the book that asks you to score your symptoms in different areas (brain chemistry, thyroid function, etc.). The website has a checklist you can do very quickly, and scores it for you. Using the book along with the internet resources is really handy. My brain biochemistry was restored very quickly after taking some of the aminos and vitamins the author recommends. I also love all the diet recommendations and lists of food to have in your pantry. I did not purchase it to lose weight - I mainly was interested in how aminos and vitamins are used to restore health. I feel restored after being on the personalized vitamin regimen for 2 months. Very practical!

I used coffee for energy and alertness, melatonin for sleep, alcohol for mood enhancement, and chocolate for depression. Sugar was always good for a pick-me-up. But I was still moody, weepy, or obnoxious. I had days of zero motivation when I quit caffeine, and sugar cravings even on a low-carb diet. I started with Julia Ross' supplements, and got my life back. In the morning, DLPA makes me sunny and sociable. Other people smile back, I feel better about myself, and I get more done. In the evening, tryptophan and HTP-5 make me relaxed and finally, after years of waking at 2 AM and snacking so I can get back to sleep an hour later, I sleep through the night. Zinc helps my immune system, thyroid manages my weight, and I can get on with life. What would you give for a good day? For a good night's sleep? To be able to quit obsessing about stuff? To be able to mix socially without fear? To be able to stick to a diet? To enjoy the taste of veggies and quit sugar without cravings? To ignore your favorite comfort food - or drink - and not miss it, because you're having too much fun? Now I can't resist sharing these supplements with my family. I sent my sister a copy of Julia's other book, The Mood Cure, and she's busy spreading the news with her family. I gave my dad tryptophan and he (at 87 years old) is very pleased to get another hour of sleep in the morning. Plus then he doesn't need as many naps. The supplements work, and they work fast. You'll know in an hour or less if you got the right one. Now I take DLPA when I'm driving, so I can be more alert. Don't wait another day. Julia's book will guide you since everyone is different. I wish I had known all this 50 years ago. I would have been President. Or just happy, which is even better.

I love this title since the book in fact explains how to "cure yourself of dieting forever." The information is not just based on an author's research, but encompasses Ross's 20 years of groundbreaking work treating real patients at her clinic in California. It covers all you need to know to get your body systems back in balance and explains all the potential glitches that might keep your metabolism from working right - and the solutions. In short, The Diet Cure is a road map to maintaining a healthy weight and having more energy for the rest of your life. Filled with detailed directions, yet concisely written, there are many reasons it has been a best seller for over a decade. What Ross advocates actually works! Gracelyn Guyol, author, Healing Depression & Bipolar Disorder Without Drugs and Who's Crazy Here

Por ahora todo bien, gracias a Kindle puedo buscar la traducción de una palabra instantáneamente pero no me hace tanta falta ya que tengo un buen nivel de inglés. Por lo demás me da la sensación que es uno de esos libros que vas a agradecer tener siempre a mano a lo largo de la vida porque es muy útil. Si me ayuda a superar la anorexia (o sobrellevarla) pienso comprarlo en físico. PD: mejor comprarse el libro que tirarse meses buscando "la solución a tus problemas de salud mental o física" te vas a ahorrar un par de billetes.

Great book for anybody who wants to listen to their body and want to treat them as well as they deserve

brilliant!

Me llegó al instante.

It was more or less what I was expected. It gives a lot of answers and I was able to help a friend of mine to try L-tyrosine with p5p as well as DLPA and L-glutamine. She feels like a different person!