UltraMetabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss »

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.

For many, losing weight is a never-ending struggle -- especially since our bodies are designed to keep weight on at all costs; it's a matter of survival. But a medical revolution is under way, showing us how to work with our bodies instead of against them to ignite the natural fat-burning furnaces that lie dormant within us. Drawing on the cutting-edge science of nutrigenomics -- how food talks to our genes -- Dr. Mark Hyman has created a way of losing weight by eating the right foods, which in turn sends the right messages to our bodies.

In this easy-to-follow eight-week plan based on each individual's unique genetic needs, Dr. Hyman explains how to customize your personal weight-loss program with menus, recipes, shopping lists, and recommendations for supplements and exercise. Ultimately, you will rebalance and stabilize your metabolism -- an UltraMetabolism -- to maintain weight loss and enjoy lifelong health.

Publishers Weekly

Physician Hyman (Ultra-Prevention: The 6 Week Plan That Will Make You Healthy for Life) delivers plenty of scientifically grounded information about weight loss myths, effective individualized strategies centered around the theme of stoking metabolism and a detailed six-week plan-complete with menus and recipes-that "will help you lose 11 to 21 pounds" in those first six weeks. The data and prescription the author provides are far from simple, and results, if attained, are not automatic. But dogged readers will come away from the book with a thorough understanding of dieting principles, such as the timing of meals, portion size, glycemic load, phytonutrient index, the weight loss benefits of relaxation and the optimized functioning of the thyroid. There are straightforward principles buried in the text, such as "eat fruits and vegetables" and "move your body," plus tips for eating out (e.g., "don't be afraid to ask for substitutions in a dish," "request a `crudites platter'... instead of the breadbasket" and "order a light drink"); adhering to these tips alone should prove beneficial. The opportunity for readers to remember and apply any of the more involved information is a possible positive side effect. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

A Personal Note from the Author     1
Introduction     3
The 7 Myths That Make You Gain Weight     11
The Starvation Myth: Eat Less + Exercise More = Weight Loss     12
The Calorie Myth: All Calories Are Created Equal     19
The Fat Myth: Eating Fat Makes You Fat     28
The Carb Myth: Eating Low Carb or No Carb Will Make You Thin     40
The Sumo Wrestler Myth: Skipping Meals Helps You Lose Weight     54
The French Paradox Myth: The French Are Thin Because They Drink Wine and Eat Butter     58
The Protector Myth: Government Policies and Food Industry Regulations Protect Our Health     65
The 7 Keys to the New Science of Weight Loss: The Owner's Manual for Your Body     73
Creating UltraMetabolism in Your Body: An Overview of the 7 Keys     75
Control Your Appetite: Harnessing Your Brain Chemistry for Weight Loss     84
Subdue Stress: How Stress Makes You Fat and Relaxing Makes You Thin     110
Cool the Fire of Inflammation: Hidden Fires That Make You Fat     128
Prevent Oxidative Stress or "Rust": Keep the Free Radicals from Taking Over     146
Turn Calories into Energy: Increasing Your Metabolic Power     157
Fortify Your Thyroid: Maximizing the Major Metabolism Hormone     174
Love Your Liver:Cleansing Yourself of Toxic Weight     189
The UltraMetabolism Prescription     207
The UltraMetabolism Prescription Overview: A Science-Based Whole-Food Approach to Eating     208
How to Create Your Own Ultrakitchen: Getting Started: The Empowered Kitchen     224
How to Avoid Pitfalls and Common Challenges     232
Prepare for the Prescription by Breaking Bad Habits     238
Phase I: Detoxify Your System     241
Phase II: Rebalance Your Metabolism and Maintain a Lifelong Healthy Metabolism     276
Conclusion: Parting Thoughts: Reflections on the Past and the Future     315
Resources     316
UltraMetabolism.com     320
Herbs and Supplements     321
Activating the Relaxation Response     328
Acknowledgments     329
Notes     331
Index     341