This May Be the Secret to Healthy Weight Loss

Tracy Wirtz appears to have found the secret to successful weight loss (“She Gained Control With Faith and Discipline,” How I Did It, July 19). She takes long walks near her home for exercise, and her diet matches her cravings. Walking is known to produce endorphins, which ensures addiction to exercise. By following her cravings when she eats, she has the best chance of avoiding the deficiencies associated with monotonous restricted diets. Her use of free weights will reduce the risk of osteoporosis and kidney stones during severe weight loss.

I became interested in complications of weight loss in the 1960s when I was with the Los Angeles coroner’s office. You will probably recall the liquid protein fast, one of the first programs to successfully reduce weight with the unpleasant side effect of sudden death. Most weight-loss programs continue to carry this risk of so-called “nutritional arrhythmia,” and the cause remains pretty much a medical mystery. There are no reliable laboratory tests that identify the problem before it strikes. However, I am hopeful that following one’s cravings does reduce this risk.

Wirtz can be proud of losing 100 pounds and keeping it off. Much of her success can be linked to the self-directed nature of her program. It is almost impossible for a coach or a prepackaged-food program to match your needs day by day. Also, packaged foods may contain trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils) and cholesterol oxide (powdered milk). This type of poor nutrition ensures failure of any dietary program.

DR. THOMAS J. BASSLER

Palos Verdes Peninsula