Hi. I have just been diagnosed with Syndrome X last week and my head is reeling with various information about diet, medication, exercise and my doctor's stern lecture that I need to do something about all three! I'm finding that educating myself helps me feel calmer and stay focused on the task at hand. It's been about 10 days and I have walked at least a mile every day (after sitting on my butt all winter completely!) I've done a dramatic change in diet but am confused about some of it - diet that cuts out sugars and white flour but also a diet that helps me lose weight - reduced fat. At first I thought tofu and grains with my vegies but now I read something that says NO, NO to grains and beans. But I guess, besides figuring all that out is just the feeling that I've GOT to make this change - no choice!! I'm taking it one day at a time and I'm doing it. Yesterday, I was walking and suddenly I felt so sad.I felt lonely because no walking partner. I felt sad that I let my health get to this point of crisis. I felt some loss even at not being able to eat certain foods. But I also know I feel so much better already. More energy. Would like to hear from others who've been through this or are going through it.

I don't know what syndrome X is but I have had to cut many things out of my diet since I have major food sensitivities and severe diverticulosis. I do remember taht it was a loss-very hard to adjust to. But I found some great substitutions. How about going to a nutritionist? And a health food store. Mima

I have Syndrome X and my dietitian recommended going on a low-carb plan. I have been on the Atkins program for a little over one year and my triglycerides that had been in the dangerous 800 range are now at 103. And that's just the start of my list of benefits I have derived from going low-carb.

In you reading, I'm sure you'll see that eliminating sugars, grains and many other carbs, you will also see that this could be of help to you.

Is this another name for Insulin Resistance? My nutritionist has me on a plan similar to South Beach - lower carbs but I can still have a little whole grains and fruit. See if your insurance will cover a visit to a nutritionist - it's well worth it to get a plan tailored to your needs and preferences.

Syndrome X, Insulin Resistance (along with PCOS for which there is a thread on this board) are all the same. My older daughter has just been diagnosed with PCOS and told to go on low-carb. Some enlightened doctors are actually figuring it out!!! yay!!!

The South Beach diet is good - I call it a "user-friendly Atkins" !!! Hubby and I have been on the Atkins program for a little over one year now and have had superior results. Also, it is not necessary to shop anywhere other than your usual grocery store for any of these programs. Just shop the perimeter - meaning to stay away from processed foods. Fresh fish, meats, poultry, veggies (and fruit if your plan allows) are the way to go.

I looked it up and saw that it was insulin resistance-anyhow-that's not so bad because there are so many things you can eat and the grocery store is full of them-when you go off sugar, you will get depressed so expect that. I would like the South Beach diet better. I think it's healthier. Mima

Thanks for the info. I made an appointment with a nutritionist. I didn't even think about the fact that sugar withdrawal would cause depression - it helps to know that too! It sounds like the South Beach diet is the closest to what my doctor mentioned briefly - and lots of exercise (the hard part for me). I was walking, walking, walking every day and now today it's POURING RAIN. Gotta figure out what to do for exercise in an itty bitty one story house. Maybe put on music and dance? Guess I could walk in the rain too. Anyway, thank for the words of support - I'll keep on keepin' on. Zelda

I have a walk aerobics tape that is great for those rainy days and you don't need a lot of room and still get a good workout that is not much more than walking. See if you library has it and try it. You can also get exercise just putting some music on and dancing around the house - doesn't have to be a lot of structure - just MOVE!!! The sugar withdrawl only lasts about a week for most people if you don't give in. You'll feel so much better when you get on a good food plan. GOOD LUCK!

See, I ate an ice cream cone yesterday and I am real tired today-also a candy bar and I am not diabetic-that sugar sure affects us!!Mima

I have PCOS, which is just one step further than Syndrome X, and the same, if you ask others. My endocrinologist told me either low carb or low glycemic would be good for me. Your diet may be different depending on how high your insulin resistance is.
Atkins and Protein Power would be low carb, which would have no grains, and Sugar Busters and South Beach would be low glycemic, which would have good carbs like whole wheat bread and brown rice and dried beans, but nothing refined like white bread-potatoes-flour, or sugar. Check out the PCOS forum. Anything on insulin resistance (IR) might be of help to you.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=70