The UltraMind Solution

In a controversial and fascinating new book, "The UltraMind Solution," Dr. Mark Hyman writes that some mental illnesses such as autism, ADHD, depression and anxiety are rooted in how we have been mistreating our bodies.

Toxic chemicals in our environment and the sadly vacant nutrition of the average American diet have left our brains starved and "broken," according to Dr. Hyman, former medical director of the prestigious spa, Canyon Ranch. He says that by healing your body, you can make great strides toward correcting what's going on - or, not going on -- with your brain.

In fact, in his new position as director of a practice in functional medicine in Lenox, Massachusetts, he has seen miracles happen. Case studies in the book report that patients coming in diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety, and other conditions that we have previously pigeonholed as mental illnesses, have, under his treatment plan, vastly improved. In some cases, their symptoms completely disappear. He says that through working with these patients, he has become an "accidental psychiatrist."

However, Dr. Hyman cautions that these results do not happen overnight. Sometimes it can take months or even years to reverse decades' worth of damage. And sometimes, it can take a good deal of detective work, in the form of laboratory tests and experimenting with diets to find hidden food allergies.

But for someone who has been suffering for quite a while, without getting any relief from prescription medication, it can be worth it.

These are the main steps toward "UltraWellness," as Dr. Hyman calls it, and fixing your broken brain:

-Improve your nutrition. This is a big one. Most of us do not get our recommended daily allowance of nutrients from our diets alone. The average American diet is sorely lacking in fiber, fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fats, which are the building blocks of healthy cells, and therefore, healthy brains. He recommends augmenting a healthier diet with some targeted supplements, especially a good multivitamin, additional calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, and fish oil. And, wherever practical, going organic.

-Balance your hormones. If you eat a lot of sugar, it's possible that your insulin balance could be out of whack, and that can cause all kinds of trouble, the least of which is developing insulin resistance or diabetes. Or a hidden thyroid imbalance can cause you to gain weight, which could further throw your insulin out of kilter. It can also make you moody and depressed, or mess up your sleep. Our hormones are designed to work in harmony, and if they are clashing, it could affect the function of your brain.

-Calm any inflammation. Inflammation can be bigger than simply what happens when a cut on your finger gets infected. Your system can be inflamed, as well. Some causes of this are stress, poor sleep, environmental toxins, poor diet, food allergies, and digestive problems. If not treated, many studies believe that systemic inflammation can lead to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity, among many other conditions, including ones that we have attributed to "mental illnesses" like dementia, Alzheimer's, and mood disorders. You can "cool" inflammation, according to Dr. Hyman, by eliminating foods like fatty red meats, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup and other sugars, and anything you might be allergic to. Often, simply removing these things from your body will allow your immune system to take over and therefore cool down the inflammation.

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2. Improve your digestion. Sometimes, we lack the necessary enzymes and acids to properly digest our food. Ironically, this can be caused by medications designed to prevent heartburn. Some doctors believe that these medications can block your body from properly absorbing nutrients. You may also have a hidden yeast or parasitic infection. These are easy to treat, but if left alone, could literally play a part in starving your body and brain by not allowing your digestive system to absorb nutrients. Ironically, Dr. Hyman has found in his practice that an overwhelming majority of children with autism also suffer from yeast infections.

1. Help your body detox. Everyone in this country has some kind of environmental nasty in his or her system. It's in our air, in our water, in the dust in our homes, in our foods, and in us. Dr. Hyman has seen many patients improve dramatically by helping the body (and therefore, the brain) rid itself of chemicals such as lead, mercury and pesticides. Certain vegetables, like kale, broccoli, and onions, are detox powerhouses. Drinking filtered water can also go a long way in not only drastically reducing the chemicals you take in, but in helping your body rid itself of toxic wastes. In some cases, he recommends that patients remove their silver amalgam fillings (although the advantage of this is still disputed), or take certain chelating medications that are designed to help the body rid itself of lead and mercury.

1. Boost your energy metabolism. This comes down to the mitochondria in your cells. These are the structures that help the body make energy. If they are damaged (by many of the invaders that I've detailed above) they can't function at their full capacity and may cause abnormal cell function and even cell death. That can lead to chronic illness and brain disease. The key here is proper nutrition, and giving your mitochondria all of the vitamins and minerals that they need to stay healthy. Some studies have shown that poor mitochondrial function can lead to autism, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

1. Calm your mind. If you've been reading my articles, you may know how important this is not only to your physical health, but to your mental health as well. That means learning how to manage your stress. Deep breathing (especially if you keep your belly soft) can stimulate the vagus nerve that runs up the middle of your abdomen, which is responsible for relaxing your parasympathetic nerve system. Try this one now: either in a comfortable chair or lying down, and keeping your belly soft, inhale slowly to the count of five, pause for one second, then exhale to the count of five. Do this five times. Try doing a set of these upon waking, before each meal, and when you get into bed to go to sleep, and see if that doesn't make you feel a bit more relaxed. Meditation is another way to calm your mind.

The book is user-friendly, and contains quizzes along the way so you can see how your own body is currently functioning, and what kind of care might benefit you the greatest, from simply improving your nutrition to seeing a doctor. He repeats certain key points, which is handy for those who have "brain fog," which is another condition that Dr. Hyman attributes, again, to physical causes. And the book also sends you to an online guide that includes recipes, a checklist for which supplements he recommends taking, and much more information.

He suggests that you start with a six-week program to help start improving your nutrition and detoxing your body. That means eliminating all sources of sugar (even the natural ones), alcohol, caffeine (except for green tea, because its antioxidants outweigh the small amount of caffeine it contains), any processed foods, all types of flour, and two of the most common foods which cause digestive sensitivity - gluten (wheat, rye, and barley, and all products made from such), and dairy products.

He has his detractors, as any medical maverick does, but I feel that Dr. Hyman is onto something. You can get more information at his website.