I have PCOS, and I was wondering if the carbohydrate addicts diet by Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller would be harmful for my condition. I know the diet addresses the issue of insulin, but I don't know how this would affect my disease.

J.B.

PCOS is believed to be related to insulin resistance, a condition in which the body requires increasingly more insulin to process food and keep the blood sugar normal throughout the day (especially after meals). In theory, the more carbohydrates you eat, the more insulin your body requires. In turn, the higher levels of insulin are more likely to adversely affect your ovaries.

Still, it is not really that simple. It is not just how much carbohydrate you eat, but also what kinds you eat. Certain carbohydrates cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin. With others, there is a more gradual change in blood sugar and less of an effect on blood insulin levels. Processed flours, sugar, alcohol, and certain such as corn, potatoes, bananas, carrots, white bread, cake and regular pasta should be avoided, as they result in greater rises in insulin levels than do carbohydrates garnered from whole grains, fruits and green vegetables.

Many physicians recommend the American Diabetic Association (ADA) diet for women with PCOS. Unfortunately, this diet does not differentiate between different carbohydrate sources, and it may not really help the insulin-resistant patient. Many high-protein diets, such as the Atkins diet, are also high in saturated fat. I advise my patients to avoid saturated fats, and recommend judicious use of canola and olive oil. These high-protein diets may also impede calcium metabolism; as such, I advise patients on high-protein diets to make sure they have adequate calcium supplement intake or consider the use of a calcium supplement.

Particular diet programs my patients have found helpful include the Carbohydr ate Addict's Diet (the Heller program you asked about), Protein Power and Sugar Busters.