At least five years ago I started having gallbladder issues. How I wish that I had found this program then!

Two years ago, I had my gallbladder taken out and a liver biopsy done at the same time. Diagnosis was second stage NASH. The liver specialist said I must lose weight but that I must do it slowly. That is so that the discharge of fat from my system would not overload the liver and cause further damage. I tried SLOWLY, but it just would not work.

Recently, I found the USD book at the pharmacy. I looked it over. I CAN do this. Very simple, very basic, and if I lost more than what the liver specialist wanted I would at least be on the right track. I set up an appointment with my GP and started the program. I had already given up coffee months ago because it was upsetting my stomach. I had also given up all chocolate about a month before the program. I was not 'addicted to caffeine'. I had also switched to stevia for my sweetener and had elminated all other sugars and substitutes, also at least one month prior to USD.

Fresh or frozen fruit was an attractive part of the program. I had bags of frozen organic berries in my freezer. I went shopping for what I needed. I did four days of the preUSD to see if it was going to work, elliminating the last no-no: wheat. That Saturday, I went shopping again came home and made my broth. I was ready to go.

Even though I did not do a whole week of preUSD, I would recommend doing so for most people. Sugar is really hard to come off of. If you are thinking about this program and don't want to go off 'cold turkey' cut your sugar down by 1/2 for a week or two, then 1/2 again. No cheating! I know people who use 1/2 c sugar in each glass of iced tea. That is a lot of sugar! Try drinking water instead of tea or soda (diet soda is not good for you, either)

I did straight USD for two whole weeks. I lost 10 lbs. I was very pleasantly surprised to have lost 3 whole inches in my waist. My health scale went from a 58 to a 12 in 3 weeks. I feel much better, overall. I am slowly trying add-ins such as corn, wheat, tomatoes etc. but only once every few days. I think I will stick with gluten free for a while. The biggest problems I have right now are when I add some particular raw vegetables. I can eat them steamed instead.

The best news, though, is that I had my bloodwork done before going to see my GP. She told me, after seeing the results, that it would be safe to say that I no longer have NASH. My numbers are back in line and doing great. She was pleased with the results of this diet and my general health.

Thank you, Dr. Hyman!