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Book Reviews
Beyond Prozac
by Michael J. Norden
The author argues that seritonin is a
V.I.C.--very important chemical. To keep levels of feel good brain chemicals such as
(seritonin) up, he suggests experimenting with numerous anti-depression
strategies. He alleges we should exercise
to the point of fatigue. Our huge human brains are susceptible to overheating and
a hot head wrecks mood so keep your head cool. Bathe yourself in light to keep spirits up, but do so while avoiding ultraviolet rays.
He thinks we should get enough sleep by:
Melitonin, another important chemical,
can be increased by:
·
Meditating (yuck).
·
Eating less.
·
Eating tomatoes and barley.
·
Taking melitonin supplements before bed.
The author recommends the Barry Sears
diet. Arguing that too much cholesterol and too little cholesterol are bad, he
posits a low-calorie diet of at least 30 percent protein, 30 percent fat and
under 40 percent carbohydrates by calories (not mass) for almost every meal. Paradoxically,
eating too many sugars and carbohydrates causes bodies to store fat and reduces
the amount of glucose available to brains. A higher protein, higher fat diet
stabilizes blood sugar, burns fat, increases the probability of weight loss,
increases the glucose in the brain and increases athletic endurance, or so the
author alleges.
Avoid high-glycemic fruits and vegetables
such as corn, carrots, raisins and bananas. Peas, Pears, plums, apples,
cherries and kidney beans are better choices. Then again, maybe it doesn't
matter much what you eat. Maybe what matters is eating like a bird and exercising
like a demon. And finding ways to keep food out of sight, out of mind and out of
mouth.
A large section offers helpful advice if anti-depressant medications such as Prozac or Buspar are chosen. Not much evidence is offered for the author's conclusions.
—JT Fournier, last updated July 9, 2009
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