requirements and the level of doses appropriate for an
adult may not be the same for a child.
Resources
BOOKS
Greenwood-Robinson, Maggie.Foods That Combat Can-
cer: The Nutritional Way to Wellness. New York: Avon
Books, HarperCollins, 2003.
Varona, Verne.Nature’s Cancer-Fighting Foods. New York:
Penguin Putnam Inc., 2001.
OTHER
American Institute for Cancer Research. 1759 R Street NW,
Washington, DC 20009. Telephone: 1-800-843-8114
Website: http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?page
name=dc_foods_home.
American Institute for Cancer Research. 1759 R Street NW,
Washington, DC 20009. Telephone: 1-800-843-8114.
Website: http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?page
name=dc_foods_home.
The Cancer Cure Foundation. P.O. Box 3782, Westlake
Village, California 91359. Telephone: 1-800-282-2873.
Website: http://www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting
_foods.htm.
Thomas PrychitkoCarbohydrate addict’s diet
Definition
The carbohydrate addict’s diet is an eating plan
that emphasizes foods low incarbohydrates(carbs). It
is based on the theory that some people develop
unmanageablecravingsfor high-carb foods due to
the pancreas producing too much insulin, leading to
weight gain.
Origins
American research scientists Rachel Heller and
Richard Heller developed the carbohydrate addict’s
diet in the early 1990s after the husband and wife
lost a combined 200 lb (75 kg) on the diet. Both Hellers
are professors and researchers specializing in biomed-
ical sciences. They outlined their method in their first
book, The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, published
in 1991. They have since expanded upon the diet
in subsequent books and several updates of the origi-
nal book. The term ‘‘carbohydrate addiction’’ was
coined in 1963 by Robert Kemp, a biochemist at
Yale University.
DescriptionThe carbohydrate addict’s diet is a program based
on the theory that balancing insulin levels in the body
will lead to reduced insulin resistance and less cravings
for foods high in carbohydrates. The diet has two
steps: reduce the high-carbohydrate foods that are
consumed, and regulate insulin levels by usingdietary
supplements. Although the Hellers recommend an
exercise program with the diet, there is not a major
emphasis on exercise. The Hellers define carbohydrate
addiction as a compelling hunger, craving, or desire
for foods high in carbohydrates, or an escalating and
recurring need for starchy foods, snack foods, junk
foods, and sweets. These foods include breads, bagels,
cakes, cereals, chocolate, cookies, crackers, pastry,
fruit and fruit juices, ice cream, potato chips, pasta,
potatoes, pretzels, rice, pies, popcorn, and sugar-
sweetened beverages. The Hellers also advocate avoid-
ing sugar substitutes (Equal, NutraSweet, Splenda),
which they theorize causes the body to release insulin
and the body to store fat.
Up to 75% of people who are overweight are
addicted to carbohydrates, according to the Hellers.
Carbohydrate addiction is caused by an over-production
of the hormone insulin when foods high in carbohy-
drates are eaten. The insulin tells the body to take in
more food and once the food is eaten, the insulin signals
the body to store the extra food energy as fat, the Hellers
hypothesize. When too much insulin is released after
eating, it is calledpost-prandial reactive hyperinsulinemia.
Over time, some people with this condition develop
insulin resistance, where cells in tissue stop responding
to insulin. The body continues to produce insulin but
because the tissues do not respond to it, the body is
unable to use the glucose (sugar) properly. Insulin resist-
ance is often found with other health problems, includ-
ing diabetes, high cholesterol, hightriglycerides,high
blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. When more
than one of these diseases are found together, it may be
termed ‘‘insulin resistance syndrome’’.
There is no medical test to indicate carbohydrate
addiction so the Hellers developed a self-administered
quiz to determine if a person is a carbohydrate addict.
The quiz, which is available in their books and on their
Website, asks ten ‘‘yes’’ or ‘‘no’’ questions. They are:
Are you hungry before lunch even if you’ve had a full
breakfast?
Is it hard to stop eating starches, snack foods, junk
food, or sweets?
Do you feel unsatisfied despite having just finished a
meal?Carbohydrate addict’s diet