Dear Dr. Gott: Do you have any information on tardive dyskinesia? My husband has it, and there seems to be little known about it.

Dear reader: Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological condition brought on by long-term use of neuroleptic drugs generally prescribed for psychiatric, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.

It is characterised by involuntary, repetitive motions, often occurring at inappropriate times.

These may include rapid eye, leg or arm movements, grimacing, lip smacking and/or protrusion of the tongue.

Older women are most susceptible; however, the condition most commonly affects people of any age following 24 months of drug therapy.

There is no standard treatment for the disorder.

As a general rule, the first step is to discontinue or greatly reduce the amount of the offending long-standing medication. It may be beneficial to replace the neuroleptic medication with a different drug.

Symptoms of dyskinesia may continue long after discontinuation but may ultimately improve or disappear. In some cases, however, the condition is permanent.

Your husband should make an appointment with his neurologist to determine the next appropriate step.

Dear Dr. Gott: I received your "No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook" for Christmas last year and have enjoyed many of the recipes in it. I have also lost and kept off 15 pounds. Thank you. I would like to ask your opinion on two items I eat regularly — xylitol as a sweetener and almond meal as a flour substitute in baking.

Dear reader: Xylitol is naturally present to some degree in fruits, berries, mushrooms and lettuce, and is a part of our daily metabolism. In the 1960s, this white crystalline substance was added to foods as a sweetener.

Because it is purported to reduce the rate of tooth decay, sugar-free candies and gum manufacturers add the product as the principal sweetener, making it ideal for diabetics.

My guess is that if you use a reasonable amount of xylitol daily, it is safe and effective — primarily for the purpose of preventing tooth decay. Excesses above 15 grams daily diminish dental benefits.

Pets should be forbidden to consume any products that contain xylitol because reports suggest it can cause severe hypoglycaemia, liver failure and toxicity.

Almond meal is simply ground almonds. Meal can be made with either whole or blanched almonds.

This product can be made at home with the use of a blender; however, care must be taken not to grind it too much, because it will take on the consistency of butter.

It should be pulsed only until it reaches the consistency of meal.

It can also be purchased commercially. Recipes are readily available over the Internet for cakes, muffins and other pastries.

Avoid almond flour, because it is made of blanched, skinless almonds and has lost most of its nutrients.

Almond meal is an excellent substitute for all-purpose flour to be utilised by anyone attempting to maintain a reasonable weight.

I commend you on your willpower in sticking with your diet and in keeping the weight off. Other readers who are interested might benefit from ordering my "A Strategy for Losing Weight: Introduction to the No Flour No Sugar Diet."

Simply send a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092.

Be sure to mention the title. My books "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet" and "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook" can be purchased through most local and commercial bookstores or online.

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Write directly to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016.