The UltraMind Solution: Fix Your Broken Brain by Healing Your Body First » (Abridged)

Mark Hyman, M.D., is the editor in chief of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the most prestigious journal in the field of integrative medicine. After ten years as co-medical director at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, he is now in private practice in Lenox, Massachusetts. He is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Ultraprevention. His websites are www.drhyman.com and www.ultrametabolism.com.

DO YOU HAVE A BROKEN BRAIN?

This seems a strange question but this invisible epidemic affects nearly 1.1 billion people worldwide -- one in six children, and one in two older people. One in four will be crippled by it during their lifetime.

If the answer is yes to any of the following, you too may have a broken brain:

Are you depressed, feeling down, and don't have the drive to do anything?

Do you find it next to impossible to focus and concentrate on tasks?

Do you find it hard to remember names or where you left your keys?

Do you get anxious, worried, or stressed-out frequently?

Does your mind feel foggy, unable to experience the world clearly?

All is not lost. Three-time New York Times bestselling author Dr. Mark Hyman unveils his groundbreaking program that shows how we can fix our broken brains by healing our bodies first. Based on the...

Publishers Weekly

From his own account, stress and mercury poisoning transformed Lenox, Mass., physician Hyman (UltraMetabolism) from a physical and mental titan to a depressed, anxious chronic fatigue sufferer. His journey to health included visits to a TCM practitioner and a Hawaiian naturopath. Here he cites the main culprits of his and other serious, now epidemic, conditions (mood disorders, Alzheimer's disease, ADHD, autism, etc.): 21st-century lifestyles, dangerous environmental toxins and genetic liabilities. Hyman contends that psychiatrists and neurologists prescribe cognitive therapy and medication, but do not address the physical damage causing brain dysfunction. His program to balance seven key body systems consists of a gluten- and dairy-free diet; 30 minutes of daily walking and morning and evening self-care rituals. Quizzes help readers determine their weaknesses and whether to follow the basic plan, optimize it or seek medical intervention. Hyman thoroughly explains each body system; the impact of poor diet, stress and environment; the best foods and supplements; and ways to detoxify and activate the body's own healing mechanisms. An online companion guide offers additional advice (for example, a more vigorous physical training regime, brain exercises and ways to ease detoxification side effects and constipation), as well as allergy-free recipes. (Jan.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction to The UltraMind Solution xiii

Preface 1

Introduction: How to Use This Book 3

Part I The Accidental Psychiatrist's Approach to the Epidemic of Broken Brains 5

Chapter 1 Broken Brains: A Twenty-first Century Epidemic 7

Chapter 2 The Accidental Psychiatrist: Finding the Body-Mind Connection 16

Chapter 3 The Myths of Psychiatry and Neurology 39

Chapter 4 Why You Are Suffering from Brain Damage: Learning How to Protect Your Brain 55

Part II The Seven Keys to UltraWellness 77

Chapter 5 Your Mood and Brain Power Are Not All in Your Head: The Seven Keys to UltraWellness 79

Chapter 6 Key #1: Optimize Nutrition-The Key to Mental Health and Brain Health 83

Chapter 7 Key #2: Balance Your Hormones 145

Chapter 8 Key #3: Cool Off Inflammation 172

Chapter 9 Key #4: Fix Your Digestion 194

Chapter 10 Key #5: Enhance Detoxification 216

Chapter 11 Key #6: Boost Energy Metabolism 243

Chapter 12 Key #7: Calm Your Mind 265

Part III The UltraMind Solution 285

Chapter 13 The Six-Week Basic Brain-Boosting Program for Everyone: A Simple Approach to Optimal Brain Function and Health 287

Chapter 14 Eating Right for Your Brain: A Science-Based, Whole-Foods Approach to Eating-Food as Medicine 292

Chapter 15 Tuning Up Your Brain Chemistry with Supplements 304

Chapter 16 The UltraMind Lifestyle: Exercise, Relax, Sleep, and Train Your Brain 313

Chapter 17 Living Clean and Green 323

Chapter 18 The Preparation Week: Preparing Your Body and Mind for the Goodness to Come 328

Chapter 19 The UltraMind Solution: Boosting Your Brain Power for Life 331

Chapter 20 What to Do When the Six Weeks AreOver: Achieve an UltraMind for Life 338

Part IV Balancing the Seven Keys and Optimizing the Plan 343

Chapter 21 Creating an UltraMind: Balance the Seven Keys to UltraWellness and Optimize the Six-Week Plan 345

Chapter 22 Key #1: Optimize Nutrition 352

Chapter 23 Key #2: Balance Your Hormones 356

Chapter 24 Key #3: Cool Off Inflammation 363

Chapter 25 Key #4: Fix Your Digestion 367

Chapter 26 Key #5: Enhance Detoxification 372

Chapter 27 Key #6: Boost Energy Metabolism 378

Chapter 28 Key #7: Calm Your Mind 381

Special Considerations 387

Conclusion 390

Acknowledgments 395

Resources 399

Notes 411

Index 433