cover image The Food-Mood-Body Connection: Nutrition-Based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing

The Food-Mood-Body Connection: Nutrition-Based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing

Gary Null. Seven Stories Press, $35 (485pp) ISBN 978-1-58322-031-3

The host of the syndicated daily health radio program Natural Living with Gary Null here takes on the current epidemic of mental-health problems in the U.S. and shows that many of these disorders can be remedied more effectively, faster and much less expensively with natural means than with traditional approaches. Null (Gary Null's Ultimate Anti-Aging Program), a longtime champion of alternative health care, makes a good case for looking at the nutritional and environmental factors that may be causing such chronic conditions as depression, alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Tapping more than 50 physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists and holistic doctors, Null presents research, case studies and opinions that support his claim that most mental and emotional conditions can be helped, and often cured, by treating biochemical imbalances. For those who have had lifelong battles with depression, eating disorders and schizophrenia and been given little hope for recovery, the news that, for example, administration of liquid zinc has cured people of anorexia within a few months will be most welcome. Null reports that more than 500,000 children are on antidepressants and that rates of schizophrenia are rising; his book is sure to find a big audience among those (including families) affected by these conditions. (Oct.)