by Laurie Boris

Created on: February 17, 2009

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:

1. 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.

2. 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,

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>