Roughly one in four adults, or 26.2 percent of adults living in the United States, suffers from a mental illness, states the National Institute of Mental Health, adding that mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada. However, the UltraMind Diet's behavior and dietary modification system purportedly can reverse mental illness, according to Dr. Mark Hyman, author of "The UltraMind Solution."
Identification
Hyman is a board-certified family medicine physician who also practices functional medicine, which is a system of incorporating dietary modifications, herbal remedies and alternative health practices into traditional medical treatments. Hyman's UltraMind Diet claims to help you alleviate or eradicate mental ailments, such as ADHD, depression, memory loss and anxiety, by helping you to fix the underlying bodily imbalances that are causing your brain to malfunction.
Theories/Speculation
Psychotherapy and drugs alone cannot effectively treat mental illness, says Hyman. However, he says that you can fix your "broken" brain with optimal nutrition, immune system support, bodily detoxification, proper hormone balancing, metabolism acceleration, spirit nourishment and intestinal function enhancement. The UltraMind Diet proposes a six-week plan to help you incorporate these seven steps into your daily lifestyle to heal your body and, in turn, heal your mind.
Methodology
Hyman's program begins with a one-week preparation phase to prepare your mind and body for the full six-week program. During this week, you eliminate foods that might be interfering with your brain health and metabolism, says Hyman. These foods are caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, fast food, high-fructose corn syrup and trans fats. Then, you progress to eating Hyman's UltraMind Diet for the next six weeks. Sample UltraMind Diet foods include wild salmon, fresh fruits and vegetables, marinated tofu, brown rice, and dark chocolate.
During Hyman's six-week program, you also exercise daily, engage in relaxation techniques such as yoga every day, and take vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements. Hyman outlines what supplements you need to take based upon your individual health condition, according to the diet's website. He says that if you do not achieve a better state of health after you finish the six-week diet, you should see your personal physician to determine if you have an underlying medical condition that does not respond well to diet and lifestyle modification changes.
Considerations
Diet and depression might be related, says Katherine Zeratsky, a nutritionist and registered dietitian, on MayoClinic.com. People who eat a diet comprising high-fat dairy products, sweet desserts, fried food and processed meats are more likely to report symptoms of depression. However, people who eat a diet high in fish, vegetables and fruits are less likely to say that they are depressed, says Zeratsky.
Warning
Speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits associated with the UltraMind Diet before you begin the program. You might have specific nutritional needs that the program does not support, or your doctor might recommend another program based upon your individual health status.
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