Two books about diets to control Syndrome X have been published by well respected nutritional writers. They are Can’t Lose Weight? You could have Syndrome X by Dr Sandra Cabot, author of "The Liver Cleansing Diet" and the X Factor diet by Leslie Kenton. Syndrome X is the name given to a cluster of disorders that have become very prevalent, due to our high intake of refined carbohydrates. These include GlycoMode blood sugar supplement sugar problems, high blood pressure, cholesterol & triglyceride problems, obesity - particularly round the abdomen, difficulty in losing weight and fatigue. What do these books have in common? Both plans use a diet low in carbohydrate, and moderate in protein & fat, to reverse the effects of a high carbohydrate diet. They eliminate refined carbohydrates and trans fats, healthy glucose support and strictly limit the intake of other carbohydrates. So far they are similar to Atkins, but where they are different is that neither book recommends too high an intake of saturated fat.
Both books stress the importance of an adequate intake of protein with every meal, and of making sure you get enough of the essential fats. They have lists showing carb levels of common foods, and include tasty sounding recipes. Dr Cabot’s approach is from a medical perspective, but explained in an easy to understand way. The blood tests needed to determine whether you have Syndrome X are given, which is very useful. A lot of information about body chemistry is included, explaining the body’s processes and how they go wrong. She also incorporates many of the other nutritional aspects that she works with, including the need to cleanse the liver if that is also compromised, different body shapes and their additional supplementation needs, and how hormonal imbalances may also be involved. Her eating plan is much more "middle of the road" than say, Atkins. It has many principles in common with her Liver Cleansing diet, but has a higher protein content.
There are three stages to the plan. Firstly, approximately six weeks of very low carbohydrate intake with no refined carbs, no grains, and only small amounts of fruit and legumes. Another six weeks where one serving of grains is allowed, and healthy glucose support an extra serve of fruit per day. The final stage is the maintenance stage, where carbohydrate intake increases to around 40-45% of the daily calories, but still excludes refined carbs. Like the Liver Cleansing diet, this is a very sensible eating plan. I feel that the extra protein is an improvement. This would be a huge improvement on the diet most people are currently eating, and would not be too difficult to follow. Dr Cabot has had great success with many patients with this diet, and it obviously works very well for many people. This plan may not limit carbohydrate quite enough for some people. Grains are reintroduced in the 2nd stage of the plan.
Many people are not suited to eating grains at all, and would be better off not eating them at all. This not only applies to people with gluten intolerances, but also to people who just feel better off grains. Soy is highly recommended. I have grave doubts about the suitability of soy for anybody, and glucose metabolism support especially men and children. A small amount, if fermented, may be OK in some cases, but not unfermented soy. Coffee is still allowed. Elsewhere I have read that caffeine is a factor in blood sugar problems, along with several other conditions, and for many people should be eliminated. Looking back over the book, I can’t find much mention of food allergies or intolerances at all, though as this doesn’t apply to everybody, it is not always a major issue. And one last minor niggle. Although there is a very good contents section, there is no index, so it is sometimes hard to check up on details.