Viruses are the smallest of the pathogens, being approximately l/500th the size of bacteria. Because of their tiny size, they are visible only under an electron microscope and were therefore not identified until this century. By the 1960s, viruses were being effectively grown outside the body in tissue cultures.

At present, over 150 viruses are known to cause diseases in humans. The role of viruses in the development of various cancers and chronic diseases is still unclear. In fact, much remains to be learned about viruses, perhaps the most unusual of all the microorganisms that infect humans.

Essentially, a virus consists of a protein structure that contains either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). It is incapable of carrying out the normal cell functions of respiration and metabolism. It cannot reproduce on its own and can exist only in a parasitic relationship with the cell it invades. In fact some scientists question whether viruses should be considered living organisms.

When viruses attach themselves to host cells, they inject their own RNA or DNA, causing the host cells to begin reproducing new viruses. Once they take control of a cell, these new viruses overrun it until, filled to capacity, the cell bursts, putting thousands of new viruses into circulation to begin the process of cell invasion and reproduction all over again.

Because viruses cannot reproduce outside living cells, they are especially difficult to culture in a laboratory, making detection and study of these organisms extremely time-consuming. Treatment of viral diseases is also difficult because many viruses can withstand heat, formaldehyde, and large doses of radiation with little effect on their structure. In addition, some viruses may have incubation periods (the length of time required to develop fully and therefore to cause symptoms in their hosts) that are measured in years rather than hours or days. Termed slow-acting viruses, these viruses infect the host and remain in a semidormant state for years, causing a slowly developing illness. HIV is the most recent deadly example of a slow-acting virus.

Drug treatment for viral infections is limited. Drugs powerful enough to kill viruses also kill the host cells, although some available drugs block stages in viral reproduction without damaging the host cells.

We have another form of virus protection within our own bodies. When exposed to certain viruses, the body begins to produce a protein substance known as interferon. Interferon does not destroy the invading microorganisms but sets up a protective mechanism to aid healthy cells in their struggle against the invaders. Although interferon research is promising, it should be noted that not all viruses stimulate interferon production.

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Rate each of the following statements as follows:

0—Never, 1—Seldom, 2—Frequently, 3—Always

1. I count calories.

2. I’m either on a diet or off a diet.

3. I eat diet foods.

4. I feel out of control with food.

5. Dieting is more important than good nutrition.

6. I start my diets on Mondays.

7. I eat for emotional reasons.

8. Hunger is a foreign feeling to me.

9. I wait until I am extremely hungry before I eat.

10. I eat to prevent hunger.

Total

If you scored 15 or more points, Stop Dieting and Start Eating, will help you to give up dieting once and for all. More importantly, it will teach you how to eat again. Many women are afraid to give themselves permission to eat because they fear weight gain. Have no fear—you have to eat to lose weight, but you have to learn to eat when you are hungry. In my experience, most people eat in response to hunger only 10 percent to 20 percent of the time.

Over the years, food has acquired medicinal properties and special powers to nurture our emotions. We eat when we are depressed, stressed, bored, tired, lonely, anxious, etc. Over the years, we have also been conditioned to eat for social and environmental reasons that have nothing to do with hunger. Strategy #2 will help you to trust yourself to eat, to teach you to eat because of biological hunger (instead of social or emotional hunger), and to redefine what food means to you.

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I mentioned earlier that you may suffer from bouts of depression if you are a compulsive overeater. One theory regarding this relationship is that both depression and binge eating are related to serotonin. Depressed people have low levels of serotonin, and some antidepressant medications (Prozac and Zoloft, for example) work by increasing serotonin levels.

Preliminary evidence suggests that these medications may also help with binge eating but, unfortunately, their effects may only last for a few weeks.

Finally, many women report that just prior to their menstrual cycle they experience strong cravings to binge, especially on sweets. Women who suffer from PMS have less serotonin during this time, which may explain their strong cravings. In fact, premenstrual women eat 30 percent more carbohydrates than they do at other times of the month.

Some experts have seriously questioned the notion that serotonin depletion and carbohydrate cravings motivate binge eating. They cite a number of studies showing that fats and not carbohydrates are the food of choice during most binges. However, when I talk to binge eaters they seem convinced that carbohydrate craving and sugar addiction is real. In fact, some try to control their problem by eliminating sugar completely from their diets, much like an alcoholic going “on the wagon.” Although this might seem logical, total deprivation is definitely not the answer. I will show you how to control your cravings and eat sweets in moderation.

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