Nothing could be more true...for over 20 years, my whole being depends on the food I eat. I have hypoglycemia (32 on test)...if I do not eat properly and the right foods, I am a gonner.No one can tell me food doesn't play an important part in our lives.

Since reading your book I have worked even harder at eatting health and making veggys and grain and of course fruit a main part of my diet. We are growing a great garden this year and I work out daily on a tread mill for 40 minutes I am 48 years old and weigh 172 and can't budge a scale. I have been on thyriod medicine for years and still have a constant battle with my weight. I would like more information on eatting to support a slow metabolism and poorly running thriod. I spoke to my doctor at a clinic because I can afford nothing better and she thinks I am crazy when I asked to change thyriod medicine and try the one that supplies both hormones and told me I am old and I am in great shape in comparison to other patients and then I was prescribed high blood pressure medicine also. I am working hard to find healthy solutions to these issues. Thanks for all you do Jena

Hippocrates also said "Make your food your medicien and you medicine your food."

My doctor has strongly advised that I loose weight to help with my pre-diabetes, GERD with intractable heartburn, and fluctuating cholesterol levels.  I recently told her about the diet I was on (UltraSimple diet).  The only thing she asked was whether or not it would help me lose weight.  We have never talked about food, vitamins, or supplements even though I chose her as a doctor because she is interested in wholistic medicine.  She has asked about my exercise practices.  I thought it was interesting that she didn't ask for the name of the diet I was using, or what it was like, since it could impact on several of my conditions.  So, the answer is that I don't think my doctor thinks about food in relation to medical issues

I started The UltraSimple Diet with the at-home food program Mother's Day, 2007.  In total, I ordered six weeks of the home delivered meals and have followed the diet on my own ever since.  I have lost 80.2 lbs in 11 months.  I eat six times a day.  The key is WHAT you eat.  Eating natural, organic, whole foods works.  After completely eliminating sugar and all grains, I find that fresh, whole food is just as delicious (if not more so) than a donut or potato chips!  I also exercise, but not as much as I should and still have lost weight 43 out of the 47 weeks I have been on the program.

Eliminate the sugar (all of it, ketchup, etc., it's everywhere) and all grains (even whole).  Your body will let you know when it reaches its ideal weight and then you can TRY adding back things like whole grains.

As they say on TV, "Just do it!".

PS I am 55 years old.

Dear Dr.

I must let everyone know how much I appreciate what you've done for me. I did the detox diet for about 3 weeks and am still applying the priciples of good eating to my everyday living. I have lost about 15 pounds and am very excited about continuing. I do have thyroid problems and again you have come through with the help I have needed. I am ready to do the 4 week thyroid program to see if I can't get it to functioning normally again. I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been on medication for about a year and a half. I have seen little improvement under my current Dr. care. I will keep you posted on my results after the 4 weeks. Again THANK YOU!!!

Can someone give me a breif synopsis of this diet.  My doctor recommended it but I already follow a very healthy whole foods eating plan.  Two and half years ago my metabolism simply died even though I eat healthy and exersize.  I have gained 30 pounds and nothing works to take it off.  The last diet book I purchased "Sonoma Diet" was very close to how I already eat.  I eat no sugar- no non-whole grains, no soft drinks.  If this diet is no different from this,  I would prefer not to waste my money.

I have been eating according to Dr Hymans theories for quite a while now and have lately discovered that it is very similar to Ayurvedic Medicine and cooking. The difference is that in Ayurveda you eat according to your body type and personality instead of just generalize as Hyman does. I have made my "own" individual diet which is a mix between them both and it works perfectly well for me. I already started to feel better with Hymans diet and I feel even better with this "new" diet of mine since it is made up only for me.

It is worth checking out Ayurvedic diet and cooking for yourself also. You can find out what type you are by visiting an Ayurvedic doctor or do a test on www.altmedicine.about.com/od/ayurvedicdiet

Hello Dr. Hyman and hello everyone... I love this article and cannot emphasize how right on it is. I have struggled with loosing weight for decades now and finally I discovered my breakthrough towards getting to my optimal weight and wellness. Recently, I discovered that I have a gluten allergy and as such my body's metabolism slows down to a halt and more (bloats) after having foods that contain gluten... flour, wheat and even certain beans. I started substituting fresh fruits and vegs, lean protein, lactose-free milk and herbal teas and have since lost 30 pounds. My goal is to loose another 60 pounds. I do have treat days but will try to avoid any form of gluten and opt for lactose-free ice-cream over say cake. Not only do I feel better mentally, but also physically. I love walking outdoors so do get a good 45 mins in most days with my favourite music as motivation. If weather keeps me indoors, I put on some upbeat music and dance. I would love to hear from others and add more tips to my new way of living. The weight is just coming off and I already feel fabulous! Thanks again Dr. Hyman! Suzette

okay, i thought i was fairly computer savvy for a 46 year old but I am stumped by this blog/message board stuff.  Can someone explain to me how these each work?  Secondly, i see many questions posted below dr hyman's blogs that I would love to know the answers to as well, how does one find the answers?

I agree with all of your comments about artificial sweeteners but you made one mistake. Stevia is a natural plant that is 300 times sweeter than sugar.  You descibed it as a natural artificial sweetener.  This is a false and misleading statement.  There is nothing artificial about it unless it has been over processed. Most stevia products aren't.  I, like many others have a high incidence of diabetes in my family and use stevia in my tea and occasional coffee.  I have read extensively about sweet leaf (stevia) because I wanted to find something that didn't affect my glucose levels. I also have read several reports that state that stevia does not fool the brain in the same way as other sweeteners natural or artificial. I can attest that I have very little craving for sweets since starting to use stevia.  I believe that you should do a little more research before making such broad statements.  Everyone is different and people with addictive behaviors will always crave anything sweet and abuse it.  Stevia is one of the safest sweeteners out there and raw unprosessed sugar is the second.  I was a little dissapointed in your broad generalization. Are you saying that white bleached processed sugar is better than the sweeteners that I mentioned ?

I have been studying about  something called, "resveratrol" I like to know has anyone heard of this and what do you know about it

Dr. Hyman,

I am a 51 year old woman who has been following the Ultrametabolism program since early January of this year.  The program was suggested by my doctor after I was diagnosed with a fattly liver. 

I still currently take a large amount of medication as I had several other physical ailments before the diagnosis of fatty liver.  I currently take medicine for asthma/allergies (Advair, Allegra, Singulair, and Flonase) Hypertension (Diovan HCT) Acid Reflux (Omeprazole)  Anxiety/Depression (Wellbutrin SR and Lexapro) Restless Leg Syndrome (Mirapex) and insomnia (Ambien)   I also take the following supplements:  600 mg Calcium with Vitamin D, 1200 mg Omega 3 Fish Oil, Multi-Vitamin generic comparable to Centrum, Solaray Liver Blend SP-13 (Dandelion - Milk Thistle,) 250 mg Chromium Picolinate, and 500 mg Vitamin C with Rose Hips.

I would very much like to be able to discontinue all or part of the prescription medication but I'm not sure what additional or other supplements I should take or what foods I should eat more of to address the problems for which I currently take prescription meds.

I do still struggle with cravings for some foods and I have a hard time finding grass-fed beef and lamb as well as a full spectrum of organic foods.  I do the best I can considering the limits of my finances and product availability. 

I would very much appreciate the opportunity to correspond directly with Dr. Hyman about my health situation and where I should go from here. 

I've lost about 30 pounds but have much more to go, but I certainly feel better just having lost that much and having cut out most processed foods, white sugar and flour, artificial sweeteners, etc.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide me.

Our life style in matter of food is the best way to keep ourselves healthy. And for those who already depend on drugs they should start by thinking of a drug rehabilitation. I'm sure things their lives will improve.