Why have brain problems ranging from depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and autism to dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's reached epidemic proportions?
Are we all simply destined to lose our focus, concentration, and memory while becoming depressed, anxious, and tired?
The answer is no, according to the compelling new book, The UltraMind Solution from Mark Hyman, MD, the three-time NY Times bestselling author in the cutting-edge field of functional medicine.
Dr. Hyman's book drew fulsome praise from some of America's leading wellness-oriented doctors. You can learn more about The UltraMind Solution by going to The UltraMind Solution Web site.
Dr. Hyman says that seemingly separate brain/mind problems – poor memory, lack of focus, anxiety, depression, autism, Alzheimer's, dementia, ADD/ADHD and more – all stem from a common syndrome he calls “broken brain”.
Hyman says that the solution to broken brain syndrome lies in the underlying biology that runs cells, organs, and interlocked immune/hormone/nerve systems.
Dr. Hyman tested and refined his approach while he was co-medical director at Canyon Ranch for 10 years, and later in his own private medical practice in Lenox, Massachusetts.
You may have seen Mark Hyman on The Today Show, Good Morning America or on public television discussing this groundbreaking solution … the same one that he used to help cure himself of chronic fatigue syndrome over a decade ago.
Dr. Hyman describes how imbalances in the seven core systems of the body – nutrition, hormones, immune function, digestion, detoxification, energy metabolism and mind-body – explain all the symptoms and diseases we think are “brain” problems.
The heart of the plan is a comprehensive diet and lifestyle change that consists of four basic components that last for six weeks:
A healthy eating plan.
A basic brain-supplements regimen.
Lifestyle changes including exercise, relaxation, sleep, and mental exercises.
A clean and green lifestyle to reduce exposure to environmental toxins.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Eating Too Fast May Lead to Weight Gain
People who tend to eat quickly could be tripling their risk of being overweight. Researchers questioned more than 3,000 men and women about their eating habits; those who ate rapidly and continued consuming until they felt full had a higher body mass index (BMI), consumed more calories, and were more likely to be overweight than participants who didn’t eat quickly and didn’t eat until they were full.
Try eating mindfully: turn off the television, put down the newspaper, and focus on appreciating the tastes and textures of food - you’ll discover that your eating pace slows markedly. Mindful eating is associated with successful weight loss and more importantly, promotes long-term maintenance of a healthy weight.
Try eating mindfully: turn off the television, put down the newspaper, and focus on appreciating the tastes and textures of food - you’ll discover that your eating pace slows markedly. Mindful eating is associated with successful weight loss and more importantly, promotes long-term maintenance of a healthy weight.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Red Dye linked to Behavior Problems in Children
Red dye No. 40 is found in hundreds of foods, including Twizzlers, Doritos, Twinkies, chocolate cake mix, and vanilla frosting. A recent British study linked it to possible behavior problems in children.
For years, food dyes, additives and preservatives have been blamed for problems such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsivity. However, controlled studies were unable to substantiate these claims despite anecdotal evidence from parents.
For years, food dyes, additives and preservatives have been blamed for problems such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsivity. However, controlled studies were unable to substantiate these claims despite anecdotal evidence from parents.
Low-Carb Diets May Affect Cognition Skills
A new study from the psychology department at Tufts University shows that when dieters eliminate carbohydrates from
their meals, they performed more poorly on memory-based tasks than when they reduce calories, but maintain carbohydrates. When carbohydrates were reintroduced, cognition skills returned to normal.
"This study demonstrates that the food you eat can have an immediate impact on cognitive behavior," explains Holly A. Taylor, professor of psychology at Tufts and corresponding author of the study. "The popular low-carb, no-carb diets have the strongest potential for negative impact on thinking and cognition."
While the brain uses glucose as its primary fuel, it has no way of storing it. Rather, the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose,which is carried to the brain through the blood stream and used immediately by nerve cells for energy. Reduced carbohydrate intake should thus reduce the brain's source of energy. Therefore, researchers hypothesized that diets low in carbohydrates would affect cognitive skills.
"Although this study only tracked dieting participants for three weeks, the data suggest that diets can affect more than just weight," saysTaylor. "The brain needs glucose for energy and diets low in carbohydrates can be detrimental to learning, memory and thinking."
their meals, they performed more poorly on memory-based tasks than when they reduce calories, but maintain carbohydrates. When carbohydrates were reintroduced, cognition skills returned to normal.
"This study demonstrates that the food you eat can have an immediate impact on cognitive behavior," explains Holly A. Taylor, professor of psychology at Tufts and corresponding author of the study. "The popular low-carb, no-carb diets have the strongest potential for negative impact on thinking and cognition."
While the brain uses glucose as its primary fuel, it has no way of storing it. Rather, the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose,which is carried to the brain through the blood stream and used immediately by nerve cells for energy. Reduced carbohydrate intake should thus reduce the brain's source of energy. Therefore, researchers hypothesized that diets low in carbohydrates would affect cognitive skills.
"Although this study only tracked dieting participants for three weeks, the data suggest that diets can affect more than just weight," saysTaylor. "The brain needs glucose for energy and diets low in carbohydrates can be detrimental to learning, memory and thinking."
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Pursuing Goals, Not Goods is Key to Happiness
According to Ed Diener, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, Champaign, true happiness lies in the pursuit of deeply held goals, not in fleeting pleasures or possessions. It means making a conscious decision to be resilient, adjusting and finding happiness in the face of adversity.
Diener is the co-author, with his son, Robert Biswas-Diener, of the new book, "Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth."
Positive psychology is a movement which rejects the model of disease and dysfunction, focusing instead on emotional hardiness.
Diener is the co-author, with his son, Robert Biswas-Diener, of the new book, "Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth."
Positive psychology is a movement which rejects the model of disease and dysfunction, focusing instead on emotional hardiness.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Yoga May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
A pilot study of the effects of 10 weeks of yoga practice on 11 midlife women's menopausal symptoms was conducted at the University of Washington in Seattle. Qualitative analysis of participants' interviews provided information not captured in quantitative measures. The women reported feeling relaxed and physically better after yoga class. Many viewed yoga as a skill they could incorporate into daily life to reduce stress and manage their menopausal symptoms. The class setting provided an opportunity for individualized instruction, peer interaction, and a structured time for self-care. Factors that made it more challenging to practice yoga at home included responsibilities to others as well as limited time, space, and energy. Women suggested providing a more flexible class schedule, increasing peer support, and providing more instruction on developing a home practice. This information will be incorporated into plans for future studies.
Monday, October 27, 2008
St. John's Wort Relieves Symptoms of Depression
New research provides support for the use of St. John's wort extracts in treating major depression. A Cochrane Systematic Review backs up previous research that showed the plant extract is effective in treating mild to moderate depressive disorders.
"Overall, we found that the St. John's wort extracts tested in the trials were superior to placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants, with fewer side effects," says lead researcher, Klaus Linde of the Centre for Complementary Medicine in Munich, Germany.
Extracts of the plant Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St. John's wort, have long been used in folk medicine to treat depression and sleep disorders. The plant produces a number of different substances that may have anti-depressive properties, but the whole extract is considered to be more effective.
Cochrane Researchers reviewed 29 trials which together included 5,489 patients with symptoms of major depression. All trials employed the commonly used Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression to assess the severity of depression. In trials comparing St. John's wort to other remedies, not only were the plant extracts considered to be equally effective, but fewer patients dropped out of trials due to adverse effects. The overall picture is complicated, however, by the fact that the results were more favourable in trials conducted in German speaking countries, where St. John's extracts have a long tradition and are often
prescribed by doctors.
Despite the favourable findings for St. John's wort, generalizations about the plant's use as an anti-depressant are not warranted. I recommend consulting a doctor, rather than self-medicating with St. John's wort, especially since the extracts can sometimes affect the actions of other drugs. Also, the products available on the market vary considerably.
"Overall, we found that the St. John's wort extracts tested in the trials were superior to placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants, with fewer side effects," says lead researcher, Klaus Linde of the Centre for Complementary Medicine in Munich, Germany.
Extracts of the plant Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St. John's wort, have long been used in folk medicine to treat depression and sleep disorders. The plant produces a number of different substances that may have anti-depressive properties, but the whole extract is considered to be more effective.
Cochrane Researchers reviewed 29 trials which together included 5,489 patients with symptoms of major depression. All trials employed the commonly used Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression to assess the severity of depression. In trials comparing St. John's wort to other remedies, not only were the plant extracts considered to be equally effective, but fewer patients dropped out of trials due to adverse effects. The overall picture is complicated, however, by the fact that the results were more favourable in trials conducted in German speaking countries, where St. John's extracts have a long tradition and are often
prescribed by doctors.
Despite the favourable findings for St. John's wort, generalizations about the plant's use as an anti-depressant are not warranted. I recommend consulting a doctor, rather than self-medicating with St. John's wort, especially since the extracts can sometimes affect the actions of other drugs. Also, the products available on the market vary considerably.
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