Introduced to me the relationship between compromised health and toxins in the body, mercury for instance, also the impact of nutrient deficiencies (particularly in Omega 3s) and the impact of insufficient protein, and other imbalances contributing to what he calls a "broken brain". Because so many of these imbalances contribute to psychological disorders he encourages the reader to look for biological cause before assuming psychological cause. His anecdotal evidence makes it seem like this is more often the case than not. Hard to believe though when it comes to something like autism. I’m more inclined to believe it about ADHD.
He defies criticizes conventional medical procedure which is to treat symptoms and not look for underlying causes. He describes patients coming in with "a whole list" of things wrong with them. Thus he jokes that he is a wholistic doctor. He describes how he discovers allergies that then cause digestive problems that then cause symptoms that result in prescription drugs and then more symptoms from side effects and so on.
Omega 3 deficiency related to depression. Especially post partum depression. Also dyslexia, dyspraxia, various learning disorders and ADD. Inflammation & blood clots. Cod liver oil to the rescue! For cell membrane health.
Most memorable factoid. Tryptophan (from foods such as turkey) plus vitamin B6 is used by the body to make serotonin. Soy oils correlated to increased homicides in UK, but he does not mention any other problems with soy and its anti-nutrients preventing absorption of zinc, magnesium and other missing essential minerals he talks about. He recommends supplements to make up for that, but synthetic made supplements cause their own problems I just found out.
As to why people have so much trouble with food allergies and toxins he points to the food supply as being the culprit, plus household mold and chemicals. He also points out that Big Ag has robbed the soil and thus the plants of nutrients. The reason why the medical establishment does not believe in nutrient deficiency is because their studies show that individual nutrients are ineffective because said studies do not include the interactions between concert of nutrients.
He talks about insulin resistance and how the only way to know if you are is to take an insulin-response test, by which I think he means a glucose tolerance test. He attributes insulin resistance to causing mood and behavior disturbances such as depression, panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, and ADHD. Also increases LDL and lowers HDL, raises triglycerides and increases blood pressure. Makes blood sticky leading to clots, heat attacks and strokes. Stimulates growth of cancer cells. Out of control inflammation causes insulin resistance. Increase inflammation leads to Type 3 diabetes commonly known as Alzheimer’s disease. Cause is attributed to increased intake of sugar (also what turns to sugar like white flour and processed foods).
Other causes of inflammation: food allergens, toxins, hidden chronic infections, stress, sedentary lifestyle, inadequate sleep, nutritional deficiencies including Vitamin C, B and D, zinc and omega 3 fats. Warns against acid-blocking drugs such as those used for GERD.
Links depression to metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial injury.
Most pertinent tip: Keep mitochondria healthy to overcome oxidative stress and keep free radicals in check.
The book is focused on supplements and stress reduction rather than food. He favors a diet with less animal products and fats and is pro soy and legumes so is definitely not Paleo. He is middle of the road in the sense of going beyond the usual medical pharmaceutical approach, but not quite leaving the low fat, lean meat approach.
A science dense book. Not an easy read, but convincing. His other book Blood Sugars is a much more simplified version focusing on insulin resistance. Has a seven step plan that can be downloaded from his website.
Posted by Earthworm on 2012-10-30 05:12:59
Tagged: , book , nutrition , diet , supplements , psychology , metabolic syndrome , ‘insulin resistance