The UltraMind Solution by Dr, Mark Hyman is brilliant exposition that shows how you treat “mental” illness and “energy” imbalances by addressing seven major subsystems of the body. A comprehensive program that is founded on (and gives clear explanations of) the “systemic science” that determines how well and how happily we live.
Originally published 2009
Contents
Attacking Depression, Dementia, and other “Mental” Diseases
Dr. Hyman has a private practice which is booked months in advance. His book is The UltraMind Solution. I listened to his talk on PBS the other day and was highly impressed, so I ordered the book.
His thesis: Depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s, ADD, ADHD, Parkinson’s, bipolar disorder, and such are not “diseases of the mind”–they’re problems of the body! They’re symptomatic by-products of problems in one or more of body’s seven major regulatory systems. When you identify and address problems in those systems, the symptoms go away.
The systems he identifies are nutrient intake, digestion, detoxification, hormones, immune/inflammation, energy metabolism, and the mind/body stress-or-relax equation. That’s as reasonable a division as any I’ve seen, and more comprehensive
than most, so I’m intrigued to find out more about his program.
In my own life, I’ve noticed that I’m significantly more likely to feel depressed when I’m “low energy”, and that almost nothing fazes me when my energy levels are high. So I was delighted to see how much attention he gives to energy metabolism. The information on the subject alone will be worth the price of the book.
Based on his talk, it’s clear that he’s one of the few MD’s who “gets it”. He doesn’t go around throwing drugs at people in a hopeless attempt to “cure the symptoms”. Instead, he uses medical diagnostics and good old-fashioned deduction to find the causes of those symptoms. After identifying the underlying problems, he works with the patient to address them.
With the causes removed, the symptoms simply disappear. But perhaps more importantly, the patient discovers a lifestyle that leads to a long life filled with active, productive years.
Supplements are a big part of his regimen, as are “whole” foods (as in, it came from the tree). But they’re not the only weapon at his disposal. When necessary, he uses more sophisticated weaponry — for example, to address a hormonal imbalance.
Many of recommendations sound familiar to those who practice a healthy lifestyle — avoid sugar, flour, dairy, and the gluten-grains (wheat, rye, barley, and oats). But for those of us with an analytical disposition, he explains why — tracing the causal connections and explaining the science behind them.
Bottom Line
The UltraMind Solution is highly recommended reading. (It’s also available in audio CD form.)
Resources
Articles:
Books:
- The UltraMind Solution, by Dr. Mark Hyman
- Ultrametabolism, by Dr. Mark Hyman
Other MDs who “get it”:
- Dr. Mercola (mercola.com)
- Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live and Fasting and Eating for Health.
Copyright © 2009-2017, TreeLight PenWorks
1 Comment