Hi Leslie, I am a 27-year-old girl living in Australia and have always had problems with my weight. It has been a constant battle since the age of about 13 for me. I've done everything possible from Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig - you name it. Recently I discovered your book and it sounded like me all over. I've been doing the programme now for about 2 months. For the first six weeks, it was fantastic. Everything you said made sense and worked. I had a big dinner function for work a few weeks ago and something I had put me back at square one. Now nothing I do will put my body back into ketosis. I am eating nothing now but those foods with zero carbs in them and exercising every day. No coffee, no anything. I do the ketosticks test every morning and night and I am so stuck. I don’t know what else to do. Everything had been so positive leading up to now but if my body refuses to go into ketosis and technically I'm eating "fat" I'm really worried I'm going to undo what I've already achieved. Drinking lots of water, keeping my meals very simple so I can track EVERYTHING I eat but still nothing. It's very frustrating because I am being so diligent with it all. Is there a dietitian or someone you know that I could get in contact with in Australia? I would really like to have someone help and monitor me on a regular basis but every dietitian I've tried focus on low fat diets. If you have any contacts or could give me some advice to put my diet back on track I would really appreciate it.

A. I am so sorry to hear about the difficulties that you are having with ketosis. I strongly suspect that you actually just hit a plateau that undermined the basic experience of weight loss. It is very important not to get anxious, because anxiety itself not only leads to overeating, it actually unbalances your hormones and can interfere with weight loss, so just stay cool. This is what I suggest: For two days forget ketogenics altogether and simply eat apples, as many apples as you want for 2 to 3 days. Then, and only then, go right back on to the ketogenics as you did in the beginning. It may take you 5 or 6 days on ketogenics again to begin the weight loss, but it will happen. Be sure that when you are having your apples that you drink plenty of water. You already know, having been so successful in the first six weeks of your ketogenics programme, how water is so important. As far as someone to help you, I think that in your case that is an excellent idea – I suggest you look in the Resources part of the website and contact Metogenics in Australia and ask them to recommend a doctor, nutritionist or other natural health practitioner who is trained in ketogenic weight loss. They will I’m sure suggest someone near you. Please let me know how you are getting on.

How many eggs are you permitted on the ketosis diet?

A. There is no limit to the number of eggs that you eat on a ketogenic diet. However, eggs are a very concentrated form of protein and some people find that they can eat eggs everyday and have no problem digesting them. Other people find that eating too many eggs can be hard on the liver. As far as cholesterol is concerned, I wouldn’t give it a thought.

I am avid follower of the X-Factor diet and have lost four stone in the past 6 months. But I have a few quick questions about one small aspect. You mention in just one of the recipes for the smoothies not to blend for more than 20 seconds as this changes the constituency of the protein. This is not discussed anywhere else in the book and I have not been able to find a reference to this anywhere else on the net. Can you elaborate? Also, the measurements you give for the amount of whey protein powder to use in a smoothie varies with each recipe - how critical is this? This obviously affects the amount of carbohydrate you ingest. Many thanks in advance for your comments.

A. Congratulations on your weight loss. That is fantastic. I am really proud of you and I hope that you feel really pleased with yourself. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions. My suggestion not to blend microfiltered whey for more than twenty seconds at a time is simply a way of making sure that one does not overheat the mixture and therefore change not so much the consistency as the molecular structure of the proteins themselves. It is not at all critical how much microfiltered whey you use in a smoothie. I think the most important thing – and you by now are well aware of this – is to listen to what your body tells you. Once your body has been detoxified, as I’m sure yours has been in the past six months, your body will give you a good indication of what works for you and what doesn’t.

Is Udo's Choice as good for fat loss as flax oil? I began on flax but I have to travel further to get it. I know Udo’s is a blend and wonder if it's as effective as I’ve plateaued over the past 6 weeks - the time corresponds to the change in oil but it could be coincidence. I’ve been x-factoring since June 2 and it has changed my life. I can't begin to tell you how amazing the transformation has been, or to thank you enough.

A. Udo’s Choice is an excellent product. It is a combination of the omega-3 and the omega-6 fats. The omega-3’s are specifically important on the X-Factor diet because we get far too little of them. Our Palaeolithic ancestors got a ratio of 2 to 3 parts omega-6 to 1 part omega-3. These days we get a ratio of 22 parts of omega-6 to 1 part omega-3. This is why I recommend flax oil instead of Udo’s Choice, for most of us get plenty of omega-6 in the foods we are eating in general. It is very interesting that you have plateaued at exactly the time that you changed from using flaxseed oil to Udo’s Choice. Frankly, I don’t know the answer to that question. If you decide to change back to flaxseed oil, I would be very interested to see if this breaks the plateau. Otherwise, I would try the suggestion above and do an apple fast for 2 or 3 days and then go back on X Factor.

What do you think of eating for your blood type?

A. I am often asked what I think about eating for your blood type. I find Peter D’Amo’s and his father’s work very interesting. However, it is highly theoretical. When I lecture in various places in the world and people ask me this question – and this happens pretty frequently – I always ask them have they tried blood type eating. My experience is that those who have tried it who are O types – the diet that D’Amo recommends for O type blood – is closer to the basic Palaeolithic diet on which Age Power and X-Factor are based then any of the other blood type diets. I tend to find that those people who are O’s report enthusiastically that it was very good for them and that they felt much better. I have however met only one of two types who tell me that they thrived on an A type diet so I strongly suspect that much of D’Amos success comes from the fact that so many people have O type blood and the diet that he is recommending for them is more in keeping with what they have been genetically programmed – in fact what we have all been genetically programmed - to thrive on.

Is the Protein Powder that Dr Sandra Cabot recommends a good source of Whey Protein, as it is sweetened with stevia which has to be better that the one I use at present with artificial sweeteners.

A. I don’t know Sandra Cabot’s protein powder that she recommends, so I can’t answer this question; I don’t know whether it is microfiltered whey or whether it is based on soya protein or what. I am delighted to hear however that it is sweetened with stevia. Unfortunately, in the UK and all of Europe stevia has now been outlawed by the European Union Parliament. This is a great pity. Stevia should be used as a sweetener in all of those proprietary foods. Read the label carefully on Sandra Cabot’s product and I am sure you will be able to discern with the help of the chapter on protein in X-Factor diet, whether it is microfiltered whey or not.

I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer and among other tools, I decided to use some Vita Fons which I have great trust in, after hearing about it from my brother in law who was once the distributor for France. You talked about it very eloquently in "Passage to Power". Now, to my astounded surprise, I just realised last night after putting it on my tumour + chakras, that the ointment ACTUALLY has some sodium lauryl sulfate in its composition; the distributor assured me the vibrational potency of the ointment annihilates all bad effect of the SLS; I'm a little bit lost and baffled!!!!!!!! What do you think, please?

A. I don’t frankly know the answer to that question. I do very much respect Vita Fons. I think it is a pity if it contains sodium lauryl sulfate. I did not know that it did. Remember that not everything works for everyone and I would certainly trust you own and your practitioners sense of whether or not Vita Fons is appropriate for you.

Is there any link between eating an adequate protein/low glycaemic carb diet and depression. I ask because I have been following the X-factor diet for ten weeks, have lost 20lbs in weight, look good, but are showing symptoms of depression. Could you offer any advice? Many thanks Craig Whittaker

A. Dear Craig – I am not aware of any link between eating an adequate protein/low glycaemic diet and depression. In fact, just the opposite is true. I receive letters from people all the time saying that a shift in diet that enables the insulin glucagon balance to become healthier actually clears depression. Everyone is biochemically unique Craig, and the only thing that I can think that may have affected you is that in some way you may need to address raising your serotonin levels. Depression, with all of its baggage, including low self esteem, despair, and pessimism can be the result of psychological factors and physical factors, such as learned helplessness, for example, but is can also be biological. Physiologically, the current model for depression revolves around the monoamine hypothesis which postulates an imbalance of monoamine neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and serotonin. A deficiency in serotonin is the most common biochemical factor in depression. Other things that can contribute greatly to depression are the use of prescription drugs and recreational drugs, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine as well as hypothyroidism. It is important also to realise that a deficiency of any single nutrient in itself can change brain functions and produce depression. If you are using the ketogenic programme, I suggest you change temporarily to the insulin balance programme which allows a bit more carbohydrate and see if that makes a difference. I also suggest that you increase the omega-3 oils in your diet by taking a good quality fish oil – a combination of EPA and DHA. Make sure you get plenty of B complex vitamins, particularly B2, B6 and B12 but I would suggest you take a multiple B each day instead of taking them separately, and also some folic acid. You might like to explore the possibility of taking St John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) either as a dried herb or in tincture form. Finally, you might like to explore the possibility of taking some Five hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). This metabolite is made from tryptophan in your body. It enhances serotonin levels in the brain and can be enormously useful in countering depression in many people. I suggest you read Michael Murray’s excellent book Boost Your Serotonin Levels the Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity and Insomnia. It’s an excellent book and I think it could be very helpful to you.

9. Who do I contact in South Africa as the name and number of Amino Research is not available. I tried calling it but to no avail. Sharonne Gidish is also not listed. Please help, as it would be great to talk to someone about the programme. I have spent the last few days reading the X Factor and am keen as jam to get started but would like to know where I can source the Solgar Whey to Go Protein Shakes. Many thanks and have a good day.

A. I’m afraid I don’t have the telephone number of Amino Research in South Africa, so you may need to source your microfiltered whey through a good health food store or a gym. Be sure to read labels carefully as described in the chapter on protein in X-Factor Diet. It’s important to remember, however, that it is not by any means necessary to use a microfiltered whey in order to be very successful on the X-Factor Diet. Many people don’t use it. It’s an expensive product and there are many other suggestions for breakfasts that don’t involve making shakes.

10. I am interested in purchasing the X-factor Diet book but I am a strict vegetarian, no eggs or fish. Would it be suitable for me. I want to loose a few kilos.

A. It is very difficult to do the X-Factor diet as a strict vegetarian, particularly if you don’t eat eggs or fish. It means using an awful lot of tofu and microfiltered whey and more dairy products in your programme. If you are willing to do this, then there is no reason whatsoever why it should but be successful.

11. I have been reading your books for over 20 years! I know all the theory about healthy eating. BUT I really feel like I am addicted to processed-high carbohydrate foods. Any mainly raw food diet I begin (and I love fresh fruit and veges), I can never ever maintain. Can you please offer me some suggestions, as I don't want to start 2003 eating as I have in the past.

A. My gut feeling is that it may be important for you to read the chapter in Age-Power called Scourge of Power. It is about the overgrowth of candida albicans and other micro-organisms that can create the kind of addictions you are talking about. I frankly don’t know what you are eating. You talk about a mainly raw food diet but I don’t know what you are getting for protein. Certainly if you are not getting enough protein you will find yourself craving things. What we did find when we did either the insulin balance programme or the ketogenic programme with people, is that they lost completely their carbohydrate cravings in 3-5 days, but the cravings can be quite severe in the beginning. They are caused by a kind of biochemical addiction that the clinical ecologists have explored in great depth, in relation particularly to alcoholism. In effect what we are craving we are also allergic too, and like the alcoholic, we feel we have to keep taking it in order to feel OK. It is only once our bodies have re-adjusted and rebalanced themselves – usually within a few days in the case of foods – that the cravings disappear. It’s my experience also that once they are gone, it can take six to eighteen months to clear so completely that they don’t return again if you start to eat highly processed carbohydrate foods. What is important is that you eat in a good solid way that supports your physical health as well as emotional and mental balance and this means plenty of good quality protein and lots and lots of fresh vegetables, either raw or cooked. It also means making sure you get enough omega-3 fats by using flaxseed oil and possibly taking a omega-3 supplement of fish oil as well.

12. I have been using Holosync, on your recommendation, for about six months now, and it is beginning to dispel the fear which was preventing me from pursuing my life purpose (which is, according to the spirit world "to create beauty"-cool eh?).I am v. grateful for your kind advice and inspiring work.

A. I am so delighted to hear of the progress you have made in your life in general. Well done!

13. I'm wanting to follow the X-factor diet & according to book should follow ketogenics. The problem is that my doctor thinks I may be pregnant, although it's too soon to say. Is there any point following insulin balance in the mean time.

A. Under no circumstances would I recommend a ketogenic diet for anyone who is pregnant. The insulin balance programme is excellent for anyone who is pregnant, in fact, very good indeed with the slight stipulation that I have a great trust for the instinctual cravings that some women have during pregnancy. For instance, my mother was passionate about alfalfa when she was pregnant with me. Every time she passed an alfalfa field she would make my father stop the car and get out and roll in it. I found myself during two or three of my pregnancies, that I needed a bit more carbohydrate than I would ordinarily get during the insulin balance programme. So do listen to these instincts. If you have great cravings for highly processed foods or sugar, those I would not take seriously. Instead of going for those kinds of foods, add more fresh vegetables and low glycaemic fruits - as many as desired - to your diet.

14. What are your thoughts on the new EU directive on vitamin and mineral supplements? I understand the need for a degree of regulation to protect consumers but am concerned that the directive will negatively affect the potencies and range that we are able to buy.

A. I am not in favour of the new EU directives on vitamin and mineral supplements. It is quite right that there are a lot of nutritional supplements on the market that are really not good. It is also true that governments do not adequately regulate manufacturing quality. However, trying to enforce heavy regulations on manufacturing and quality would become so complicated and would become virtually impossible to legislate on, and even more difficult to police once regulations were established. I am afraid that my attitude is "let the buyer be informed". It is increasingly important for us to be aware of what can and cannot be useful to us and check out the quality of the supplements that we use. I tend to recommend very few companies simply because I know the ones that I can recommend are reasonably sound and can be relied on. I also would use their products myself. But I think it is absolutely wrong for there not to be potencies and ranges of nutritional products available in Europe that are available within the United States.

15. I am looking for a health care professional in functional medicine who would be able to help me put into practice your X-Factor Diet. I have contacted Metagenics as you suggested in the book, but to no avail. I am living in Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. Hope to hear from you soon.

A. See the references for who to contact in the UK to found out a practitioner near you. Look under Functional Medicine.

16. Are there any biogenic societies and do they have sites. I would like to get involved with projects. Or could you advise who to contact about projects, jobs in ecology field. Thank you for Journey to Freedom.Agata.

A. I don’t myself know of any biogenic societies such as those that you are looking for. If you find one, do let me know who they are, where they are and what they do.

17. We did not see the TV documentary. What channel was it on? Will it be repeated? Is the video commercially available?

The programme is not likely to be shown again. The video of the programme is not generally released. However, I know a number of people have been able to purchase the programme very reasonably priced from Gibson Group in New Zealand. I suggest that you contact Jasmine who was assistant to the managing director Dave Gibson at the Gibson Group Limited, P O Box 6185, 119 Taranaki Street, Wellington, New Zealand Telephone no. 64 4 3847789.