Syndrome X: The Complete Nutritional Program to Prevent and Reverse Insulin Resistance

At 38 years old, I was 55 pounds overweight with high blood pressure, sleep apnea, aching knees, and high triglycerides when my doctor informed me that I was insulin-resistant--bordering on diabetes. She told me to read this book. I have tried diets and exercises for the past 13 years, and nothing has worked for me. I read Syndrome X, followed it religiously (including the supplements) and I have lost 45 pounds in 5 months! I'm OFF my blood pressure medication, and I returned my CPAP (sleep apnea) machine! I am a strong believer in the theories presented in this book. I was never hungry, and I have felt great! I recommend this book to anyone with enough will power to follow it's instructions.

I have seen this book in stores for a long time. Today I finally decided to sit down and read it. Suffice to say, I was quite surprised how logical and well written it is.As a critical care physician, heart disease has always been a major interest. I have followed for several years the gradual paradigm shift among some of my more open minded colleagues away from the simplistic "cholesterol is the villain" attitude. Syndrome X or insulin resistance more and more seems to be the underlying problem not only in most patients with CAD, but also type II diabetes, and in my opinion, obesity. And to the specific point of "bad LDL" particle size (type B), it seems that there is evidence that high triglycerides, the product of course of the usual high carb/low fat diet may be related to this probelm.The advice in this book may be hard to follow for many "bad carb" addicts, but with 2/3 of the population now obese, type II diabetes showing up in children as young as twelve, and cardiac disease a major killer beyond epidemic proportions, this is THE diet for most people.

I've lost 17 lbs in about 4 weeks on the Syndrome X diet. I started it on the advice of my doctor. I'm on the more "intense" version of the diet and I don't feel terribly deprived anymore, although it wasn't easy to begin with. I think it's easier now because I've sort of mixed some Atkins bars in with Sydrome X, while still adhering to the basic tenets of the S-X diet. (As a woman, this has really helped with those "sweets" cravings once a month) Also, I still have a few carbs a day and I'm losing steadily. The recipes I've tried in the book are really good (the salmon, the turkey-sausage patties) my kids and husband even liked them. My husband has lost about 15 lbs too, by the way. And he's hardly trying!The only thing I would have liked more is to have had additional recipes and menu ideas and less densely packed medical information in the beginning. It felt quite repetitive to me. But it is still a great book and a good diet. I especially like the focus on natural spices, reasons for putting them into your diet, and ways to introduce them into your diet. I now grow dill, which is simple to grow, and I use it all the time. Also, cloves, bay leaves, sage, coriander, fennel and more.Also, try the vitamin supplements. They help with your energy a lot. Walmart and Costco have them at a reasonable price. Good Luck!

Trying reading this book to learn more about this condition--Here's my story--I have had high blood pressure for about 6 years. It stayed in the 158/110 range even with medication. I even did the AVON 3 Day 60 Mile Walk in 2001 and trained for it for months. I walked about 45-50 miles per week and lost weight too. My blood pressure did not go down. The doctors doubled my medication and still no results. I was very discouraged and concerned. I started following Weight Watchers (for a healthy diet) and eating complex carbs such as brown rice, etc with lots of vegies-- no change in the BP. I measured my BP about every other day with a home kit that is pretty accurate.Finally in desperation I started the Low Carb diet. In three DAYS, my BP was down to 128/67. I stopped taking the medication and my blood pressure has stayed constant at 128/70 within a point or two. And I have the records to prove it. It is now 5 weeks later and I've lost 13 pounds (not easy at age 53) and no longer take glucosmine or BP medications. My arthritis is much better though I have a little pain when its cold.This diet may not be for everybody but if you have a medical condition, it's worth a good try to see if it helps you. And once you feel better it's easier to stick to- I have no trouble with it. I will never go back to bread, pasta, etc. Now I see carbs as mud clogging up my veins and arteries.

At last we have a book that explains some of the mystery behind middle-age. Syndrome X is the first book to present the new science explaining mid-life weight gain, rising cholesterol levels, and dropping energy levels. Yes, your middle-age metabolism is different and these changes have more to do with your diet and nutrition than your age! Syndrome X will help you put together a plan to overcome resistance to your own insulin. This is more than an abstract concept, it is the essence behind the current epidemic of obesity, high blood pressure and adult-onset diabetes. Author's Challem, Berkson, and Smith are to be commended. They have written an easy to understand book which provides a common sense plan for overcoming Syndrome X. Most importantly they cut through the current rhetoric and teach you how to treat yourself with a healthy diet. Everyone should read this book and take a copy to their doctor.