UltraMind Solution Quizzes

I am reading this book which Laura recommended, "The UltraMind Solution: The Simple Way to Defeat Depression, Overcome Anxiety, and Sharpen Your Mind" by Mark Hyman, M.D. He talks about the role of the body health in mental health and it seems to be a good synthesis of all we've been discussing here in the forum for the last months. Furthermore it has other important info about the so called brain dis-eases and more. Here is a quote of the intro:

Neurologists and psychiatrists focus on treating your brain using medications and psychotherapy. In fact, most psychiatrists and neurologists focus solely on their favorite organ, the brain, and ignore the rest of the body. But what if the cure for brain disorders is outside the brain? What if mood, memory, attention and behavior problems, and most other “brain diseases” have their root cause in the rest of the body-in treatable imbalances in the body’s key systems? What if they are not localized in the brain? If this is true, it would mean our whole approach to dealing with brain disorders is completely backward. [...]

Only 10% of us are nutritionally, metabolically, and biochemically balanced enough to fully benefit from psychotherapy. Years of psychoanalyses or therapy will not reverse the depression that comes from profound omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, a lack of vitamin B12, a low-functioning thyroid, or chronic mercury toxicity.[...]

Everything is connected. Your entire body and all of the core systems in it interact as a single sophisticated symphony. All the pieces of your biology and your unique genetic code interact with your environment (including the foods you eat) to determine how sick or well you are in this moment. [...]

Stress and other psychological factors can have a major impact on your health. Now we understand that 95% of all illnesses are either caused by or worsened by stress. [...]

Brain function is directly influenced by what you eat, and by nutritional deficiencies, allergens, infections, toxins, and stress. “Mental disorders” and “brain disorders” are simply the names of common responses our bodies have to a variety of insults and deficiencies. [...]

Click to expand...

In the book there are a series of quizzes that helps us assess our health, including adrenal fatigue, omega-3, magnesium, dopamine quizzes. It will be interesting to find out our health status after a few months of diet/detox. So here are the quizzes that I downloaded and transcribed from ultramind.com/guide, in the guide there is some recommendations regarding supplements and diet (do get the book, it is very interesting!) :)

-----------------------------------------------------

Fats and Your Brain – Fatty Acids Quiz

I have soft, cracked, or brittle nails
I have dry, itchy, scaling, or flaking skin
I have hard earwax.
I have chicken skin (tiny bumps on the backs of arms or on the trunk).
I have dandruff.
I feel aching or stiffness in my joints.
I am thirsty most of the time.
I am constipated (have fewer than two bowel movements a day).
I have light-colored, hard, or foul-smelling stools.
I have poor mood, difficulty paying attention, and/or memory loss.
I have high blood pressure.
I have fibrocystic breasts.
I have premenstrual syndrome.
I have a family history of high LDL cholesterol, low HDL levels, and high triglycerides.
I am of North Atlantic genetic background: Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Scandinavian, or coastal Native American.

Scoring Key – Fatty Acids

Score one point for each box you checked.

0–4. You may have a mild fatty-acid deficiency.
5–7. You may have a moderate fatty-acid deficiency.
8–up. You may have a severe fatty-acid deficiency.

__________________________________________________________________________


Dopamine and the Catecholamines: Getting Focused – Dopamine Quiz

I feel down a lot and don’t have the energy or desire to do anything.
I am a low-energy kind of person, mentally or physically.
I struggle to get motivated to exercise.
I have trouble concentrating or focusing on things.
I tend to sleep a lot or have trouble waking up.
I use substances to “wakeup,” such as caffeine, chocolate, diet pills, or even cocaine.

Scoring Key- Dopamine

Score one point for each box you checked.

0–2. You may have a slightly low level of dopamine.
3–4. You may have a moderately low level of dopamine.
5–up. You may have a severely low level of dopamine.


Serotonin: Staying Happy – Serotonin Quiz

My head is full of ANTs (automatic negative thoughts).
I am a glass-half-empty person.
I have low self-esteem and low self-confidence.
I tend to have obsessive thoughts and behaviors (such as being a perfectionist or neat freak).
I get the winter blues or have a family history of SAD (seasonal affective disorder).
I tend to be irritable, easily angered, and/or impatient.
I am shy and afraid of going out or have a fear of heights, crowds, flying, and/or speaking in public.
I feel anxious or have panic attacks.
I have PMS (premenstrual syndrome) with moodiness, cravings, breast tenderness, and bloating before my period.
I have trouble falling asleep.
I wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble getting back to sleep, or wake up too early in the morning.
I crave sweets or starchy carbs like bread and pasta.
I feel better when I exercise.
I have muscle aches, and/or jaw pain, and/or a family history of fibromyalgia.
I have a family history of treatment with SSRIs (serotonin boosting antidepressants).

Score one point for each box you checked.

0–4. You may have a slightly low level of serotonin.
5–7. You may have a moderately low level of serotonin.
8–up. You may have a severely low level of serotonin.


-------------------------------------------


GABA: Get Relaxed – GABA Quiz

It is hard for me to relax and kick back.
I am easily stressed out or overwhelmed.
It is common for me to feel overworked or pressured.
My body is stiff or uptight.
I sometimes feel weak and shaky.
I am bothered by loud noises, lights, or too much activity.
I feel more anxious or stressed if I skip meals.
I use substances to help me relax, such as sugar, alcohol, and/or drugs.

Score one point for each box you checked.

0–2. Slightly low level of GABA.
3–4. Moderately low level.
5–up. Severely low level.


_____________________________________________________________________________


Acetylcholine: Remembering and Learning Things – Acetylcholine Quiz

I find myself writing things down so I won’t forget them.
I find it hard to do math in my head.
I have a hard time finding words or remembering what I was saying if interrupted during a conversation.
I get nervous or anxious when I have to learn something new, like new software at work.
When reading a book or watching a movie, I find it harder to follow the plot than it used to be.
I misplace my keys, wallet, or glasses frequently.
I have trouble focusing during long conversations or meetings.
I feel like my brain is just not functioning at its peak.

Scoring Key- Acetylcholine

0–2. Low level.
3–4. Moderately low level.
5–up. Severely low level.

_______________________________________________________________________________


Methylation Quiz

I eat animal protein (meat of any kind, dairy, cheese, eggs) more than 5 times a week.
I eat more than 1–2 foods a week with hydrogenated fats (margarine, shortening, processed or packaged foods).
I have servings of animal protein greater than 4–6 ounces (the size of the palm of your hand) at a meal.
I eat less than 1 cup of dark-green leafy vegetables a day.
I eat fewer than 5–9 servings (1/2 cup = 1 serving) of fruits and vegetables a day.
I have more than 3 alcoholic drinks a week.
I have a poor mood.
I have a history of a heart attack or other heart disease.
I have a history of stroke.
I have a history of cancer (especially colon, cervix, breast).
I have a history of abnormal PAP test (cervical dysplasia).
I have a history of birth defects in offspring (neural tube defects or Down syndrome).
I have a history of dementia.
I have a loss of balance or sensation in feet.
I have a history of multiple sclerosis or other diseases with nerve damage.
I have a history of carpal tunnel syndrome.
I do not take a multivitamin.
I am over 65-years old.

Scoring Key- Methylation

0–8. You may have a low-level problem with methylation.
9–up. You may have a severe problem with methylation.


___________________________________________________________________________


Vitamin D: D for Depression and Dementia – Vitamin D Quiz

I have a family history of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or the winter blues.
I have experienced a loss of mental sharpness or memory.
I have sore or weak muscles.
I have tender bones (press on your shin bone to see if it hurts,).
I work indoors.
I avoid the sun.
I wear sunblock most of the time.
I live north of Florida.
I don’t eat small, fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, or sardines (the main source of dietary vitamin D).
I have a family history of osteoporosis.
I have broken more than 2 bones or had a hip fracture.
I have a family history of autoimmune disease (such as multiple sclerosis).
I have osteoarthritis (vitamin D deficiency weakens bones and leads to deterioration).
I have frequent infections.
I have a family history of prostate cancer.
I have dark skin (any race other than Caucasian).
I am 60 years old or older.

Scoring Key – Vitamin D

0–8. You may have a slightly low level of Vitamin D.
9–up. You may have a severely low level of Vitamin D.

___________________________________________________________________________


Magnesium: The Relaxation Mineral – Magnesium Quiz

I have a poor mood
I feel irritable.
I have difficulty focusing.
I have a family history of autism.
I am anxious.
I have trouble falling and/or staying asleep.
I have muscle twitching.
I have premenstrual syndrome.
I have leg or hand cramps.
I have restless leg syndrome.
I have heart flutters, skipped beats, or palpitations.
I get frequent headaches or migraines.
I have trouble swallowing.
I have acid reflux.
I am sensitive to loud noises.
I feel fatigued.
I have a family history of asthma.
I have constipation (fewer than two bowel movements a day).
I have excess stress.
I have kidney stones.
I have a family history of heart disease or heart failure.
I have a family history of mitral valve prolapse.
I have a family history of diabetes.
I have a low intake of kelp, wheat bran or germ, almonds, cashews, buckwheat,
or dark-green leafy vegetables.

Scoring Key – Magnesium

0–12. Low level
13–up. Severely low level.

___________________________________________________________________________________
Minerals and the Brain: Zinc and Selenium - Zinc Quiz

I have impaired taste.
I have impaired smell.
I have weak nails (thin, brittle, peeling).
I have white spots on my nails.
I have frequent colds or respiratory infections.
I have diarrhea.
I have eczema or other skin rashes.
I have acne.
My wounds heal poorly.
I have allergies.
I am losing my hair.
I have dandruff.
I have a family history of erectile dysfunction.
I have an enlarged or inflamed prostate.
I have a family history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease).
I have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis.
I consume hard water (which depletes zinc).
I consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages per week.
I sweat excessively.
I have a family history of kidney or liver disease.
I am over age 65.
I use diuretics (water pills).
I have a low intake of dulse (seaweed), fresh ginger root, egg yolks, fish, kelp, lamb, legumes, and pumpkin seeds.

Scoring Key—Zinc

0–12. Slightly low level of zinc.
13–up. Severely low level of zinc.

____________________________________________________________________


Don’t Panic, It’s Just Your Blood Sugar: Insulin and Your Brain – Insulin Quiz

I crave sweets and eat them, and though I get a temporary boost of energy and mood, I later crash.
I have a family history of diabetes, hypoglycemia, or alcoholism.
I get irritable, anxious, tired, and jittery, or get headaches intermittently throughout the day, but feel better temporarily after meals.
I feel shaky 2–3 hours after a meal.
I eat a low-fat diet but can’t seem to lose weight.
If I miss a meal, I feel cranky and irritable, weak, or tired.
If I eat a carbohydrate breakfast (muffin, bagel, cereal, pancakes, etc.), I can’t seem to control my eating for the rest of the day.
Once I start eating sweets or carbohydrates, I can’t seem to stop.
If I eat fish or meat and vegetables, I feel good, but seem to get sleepy or feel “drugged” after eating a meal full of pasta, bread, potatoes, and dessert.
I go for the breadbasket at restaurants.
I get heart palpitations after eating sweets.
I seem salt sensitive (I tend to retain water).
I get panic attacks in the afternoon if I skip breakfast.
I am often moody, impatient, or anxious.
My memory and concentration are poor.
Eating makes me calm.
I get tired a few hours after eating.
I get night sweats.
I am tired most of the time.
I have extra weight around the middle (weight to hip ratio > 0.8; measure around the belly button and around the bony prominence at the front of the top of the hip).
My hair thins in the places I don’t want it to (my head) and it grows in the places it shouldn’t (my face, if I am a woman).
I have a family history of polycystic ovarian syndrome or am infertile.
I have a family history of high blood pressure.
I have a family history of heart disease.
I have a family history of type 2 diabetes (what used to be known as adultonset diabetes).
I have chronic fungal infections (jock itch, vaginal yeast infections, dry scaly patches on my skin).

Scoring Key – Insulin

0–7. You may have mild insulin imbalance.
8-12. You may have a moderate insulin imbalance.
13 and above. You may have a severe insulin imbalance.

____________________________________________________________________


Thyroid Gland: A Yellow Canary in a Coal Mine of Environmental Toxins – Thyroid Quiz

I have thick skin and fingernails.
I have dry skin.
My hair is thinning, I lose hair, or have coarse hair.
I am sensitive to cold.
I have cold hands and feet.
I have muscle fatigue, pain, or weakness.
I have heavy menstrual bleeding, worsening of premenstrual syndrome, other menstrual problems, or infertility.
My sex drive has decreased.
I retain fluid (swelling of hands and feet).
I feel fatigued (especially in the morning).
I have low blood pressure and heart rate.
I have trouble with memory and concentration.
The outer third of my eyebrows is thinning.
I have trouble losing weight or have recent weight gain.
I have constipation.
I have a poor mood and am apathetic.
I have a family history of autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, allergies, yeast overgrowth).
I have a family history of celiac disease or am gluten sensitive.
I have been exposed to radiation treatments.
I have been exposed to environmental toxins.
I consume a lot of tuna and sushi and/or have multiple dental silver (mercury) fillings.
I have a family history of thyroid problems.
I drink chlorinated or fluoridated water.

Scoring Key – Thyroid.

0–7. You may have slightly low thyroid function.
8–11. You may have moderately low thyroid function.
12–up. You may have severely low thyroid function.

_____________________________________________________________________

Sexual Hormones Quiz for Women

I have premenstrual syndrome.
I have monthly weight fluctuation.
I have edema, swelling, puffiness, or water retention.
I feel bloated.
I have headaches.
I have mood swings.
I have tender, enlarged breasts.
I have a poor mood.
I feel unable to cope with ordinary demands.
I have backaches, joint, or muscle pain.
I have premenstrual food cravings (especially sugar or salt).
I have irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, or light bleeding.
I am infertile.
I use birth control pills or other hormones.
I have premenstrual migraines.
I have breast cysts or lumps or fibrocystic breasts.
I have a family history of breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer.
I have a family history of uterine fibroids.
I have peri- or menopausal symptoms.
I have hot flashes.
I feel anxious.
I have night sweats.
I have insomnia.
I have lost my sex drive.
I have dry skin, hair, and/or vagina.
I have heart palpitations.
I have trouble with memory or concentration.
I have bloating or weight gain around the middle.
I have facial hair.
I have been exposed to pesticides or heavy metals (in food, water, air).

Scoring Key – Sexual Hormones for Women


0–9. You may have a mild sexual hormone imbalance.
10–14. You may have a moderate sexual hormone imbalance.
15 and above. You may have a severe sexual hormone imbalance.
____________________________________________________________________


Sexual Hormones Quiz for Men

I have a reduced sex drive and have lost my vitality.
I have trouble achieving or maintaining an erection.
I am infertile or have low sperm count.
I have loss of muscle.
I have increased abdominal fat.
I am fatigued or have low energy.
I feel a loss of direction and purpose or a sense of apathy.
I have bone loss or bone fractures.
I have a family history of high cholesterol.
I have a family history of insulin or blood sugar problems.
I feel weak.
I have a poor mood
I have been exposed to pesticides or heavy metals (in food, water, air).

Scoring Key – Sexual Hormones for Men

0–4. You may have a mild sexual hormone imbalance.
5–6. You may have a moderate sexual hormone imbalance.
7–up. You may have a severe sexual hormone imbalance.

_______________________________________________________________


Inflammation Quiz

I have seasonal or environmental allergies.
I have food allergies or sensitivities or I don’t feel well after eating (sluggishness, headaches, confusion, etc.)
I work in an environment with poor lighting, chemicals, and/or poor ventilation.
I am exposed to pesticides, toxic chemicals, loud noise, heavy metals, and/or toxic bosses and coworkers.
I get frequent colds and infections.
I have a history of chronic infections such as hepatitis, skin infections, canker sores, and/or cold sores.
I have sinusitis and allergies.
I have a family history of bronchitis or asthma.
I have dermatitis (eczema, acne, rashes).
I suffer from arthritis (osteoarthritis/degenerative wear and tear).
I have a family history of autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, hypothyroidism, etc.).
I have a family history of colitis or inflammatory bowel disease.
I have a family history of irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon).
I have neuritis (problems like mood and behavior problems).
I have had a heart attack or have a family history of heart disease.
I am overweight. (BMI greater than 25; a BMI chart has been printed in Section 5 of this guide. Or go to http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ for an easy calculation) or have a family history of diabetes
I have a family history of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
I have a stressful life.
I drink more than 3 glasses of alcohol a week.
I don’t exercise more than 30 minutes 3 times a week.

Scoring Key – Inflammation

0–6. You may have a low level of inflammation.
7–9. You may have a moderate level of inflammation.
10–up. You may have a severe level of inflammation.

____________________________________________________

Gut Quiz

I have a bloated or full feeling, and/or belching, burning, or flatulence right after meals.
I have chronic yeast or fungal infections (jock itch, vaginal yeast infection, athlete’s foot, toenail fungus).
I feel nauseated after taking supplements.
I feel fatigued after eating.
I have heartburn.
I regularly use antacids (Tums, Maalox, acid-blocking drugs, etc.).
I have chronic abdominal pains.
I have diarrhea.
I have constipation (going less than once or twice a day).
I have greasy, large, poorly formed, or foul-smelling stools.
I find food that is not fully digested in my stool.
I have food allergies, intolerance, or reactions.
I have an intolerance to carbohydrates (eating bread or other sugars causes bloating).
I have thrush (whitish tongue).
I have anal itching.
I have bleeding gums or gingivitis.
I have geographic tongue (map-like rash on tongue indicating food allergy
or yeast overgrowth).
I have sores on the tongue.
I have canker sores.
I crave sweets and bread.
I drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a week.
I have excessive stress.
I frequently use or have frequently used antibiotics in the past (more than 1–2 times in 3 years).
I have a history of NSAID (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) or other anti-inflammatory
use.
I have taken birth control pills or hormone replacements.
I have taken prednisone or cortisone.
I have a family history of any of the following diseases or conditions:
• Autism
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Rosacea (dilated blood vessels in the nose and cheeks, giving a red appearance)
• Acne after adolescence
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Celiac disease (gluten allergy)
• Chronic autoimmune diseases
• Chronic hives or urticaria
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

Scoring Key- Gut

Score one point for each box you checked

0–8. You may have a mild problem with your gut.
9–12. You may have a moderate problem with your gut.
13–up. You may have a severe problem with your gut.

______________________________________________________________


Toxins Quiz

I have hard, difficult-to-pass bowel movements every day or every other day.
I am constipated and only go every other day or less often.
I urinate small amounts of dark, strong-smelling urine only a few times a day.
I almost never break a real sweat.
I experience one or more of the following:
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Concentration and memory problems
I have a family history of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
I drink unfiltered tap or well water or water from plastic bottles.
I dry-clean my clothes.
I work or live in a building with poor ventilation or windows that don’t open.
I live in a large urban or industrial area.
I use household or lawn garden chemicals or get my house or apartment treated for bugs by an exterminator.
I have more than 1–2 mercury amalgams (fillings) in my teeth.
I eat large fish (swordfish, tuna, shark, tilefish) more than once a week.
I am bothered by one or more of the following:
• Gasoline or diesel fumes
• Perfumes
• New car smell
• Fabric stores
• Dry-cleaned clothes
• Hair spray
• Other strong odors
• Soaps
• Detergents
• Tobacco smoke
• Chlorinated water
I have a negative reaction when I consume foods containing MSG, sulfites (found in wine, salad bars, dried fruit), sodium benzoate (preservative), red wine, cheese, bananas, chocolate, garlic, onions, or even a small amount of alcohol.
When I drink caffeine, I feel wired, experience an increase in joint and muscle aches, and/or have hypoglycemic symptoms (anxiety, palpitations, sweating, dizziness).
I regularly consume any of the following substances or medications:
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Acid-blocking drugs (Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid, Prilosec, Prevacid)
• Hormone-modulating medications in pills, patches, or creams (the birth control pill, estrogen, progesterone, prostate medication)
• Ibuprofen or naproxen
• Medications for recurrent headaches, allergy symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, or indigestion
I have had jaundice (skin and whites of eyes turning yellow) for any reason or I have been told I have Gilbert’s syndrome (an elevation of bilirubin).
I have a family history of any of the following conditions:
• Breast cancer
• Smoking-induced lung cancer
• Other type of cancer
• Prostate problems
• Food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances
I have a family history of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other motor neuron diseases, or multiple sclerosis.

Scoring Key – Toxins

Score one point for each box you checked.

0–6. You may have a low level of toxicity.
7–9. You may have a moderate level of toxicity.
10–up. You may have a severe level of toxicity.

___________________________________________________________

Loss of Energy Quiz

I have chronic or prolonged fatigue.
I have muscle pain or discomfort.
I have sleep problems (trouble staying or falling asleep or waking up early).
My sleep is not refreshing.
I have a poor tolerance to exercise, with severe fatigue after.
I have muscle weakness.
I have trouble concentrating or with memory.
I am irritable and moody
Fatigue prevents me from doing things I would like to do.
Fatigue interferes with work, family, or social life.
I have been under prolonged stress.
My symptoms started after an acute stress incident, infection, or trauma.
I have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.
I have a history of chronic infections.
I overeat.
I have been exposed to environmental chemicals (pesticides, unfiltered water, nonorganic food).
I served in the Gulf War or another military engagement and have suffered negative consequences.
I have a family history of neurologic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.
I have a family history of autism or ADHD.
I have a family history of depression, bipolar disease, or schizophrenia.

Scoring Key – Energy Loss

0–6. You may have a mild loss of energy.
7–9. You may have a moderate loss of energy.
10–up. You may have a severe loss of energy.

________________________________________________________

Oxidative Stress Quiz

I am fatigued on regular basis.
I get less than 8 hours sleep a night.
I don’t exercise regularly or I exercise more than 15 hours a week.
I am sensitive to perfume, smoke, or other chemicals or fumes.
I regularly experience deep muscle or joint pain
I am exposed to a significant level of environmental toxins (pollutants, chemicals, etc.) at home or at work.
I smoke cigarettes or cigars (or anything else).
I am regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
I drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a week.
I don’t use sunblock, or I like to bake in the sun or go to tanning booths.
I take prescription, over-the-counter, and/or recreational drugs.
I would rate my life as very stressful.
I eat fried foods, margarine, or a lot of animal fat (meat, cheese, etc.).
I eat white flour and sugar more than twice a week.
I eat fewer than 5 servings of deeply colored vegetables and fruits a day.
I have chronic colds and infections (cold sores, canker sores, etc.).
I don’t take an antioxidant-containing multivitamin.
I am overweight. (BMI more than 25; a BMI chart has been printed in Section 5 of this guide.)
I have a family history of diabetes or heart disease.
I have arthritis or allergies.

Scoring Key – Oxidative Stress

0–9. You may have a low level of oxidative stress.
10–up. You may have severe level of oxidative stress.

_____________________________________________________________________

Adrenal Dysfunction Quiz

I have low blood pressure.
I feel dizzy when I stand up.
I have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
I crave salt.
I crave sweets.
I have dark circles under my eyes.
I have sleep problems (either falling asleep or staying asleep).
I have nonrestorative sleep (don’t feel reenergized).
I have mental fogginess or trouble concentrating.
I have headaches.
I have frequent infections (catch cold easily).
I don’t tolerate exercise well and feel completely exhausted after.
I feel stressed most of the time.
I feel tired but wired.
I retain water.
I have panic attacks or am easily startled.
I have heart palpitations.
I need to start the day with caffeine.
I have poor tolerance to alcohol, caffeine, and other drugs.
I feel weak and shaky.
I have sweaty palms and feet when nervous.
I feel fatigued.
My muscles are weak.

Scoring Key – Adrenal Dysfunction

0–7. You may have mild adrenal dysfunction.
8–10. You may have moderate adrenal dysfunction.
11–up. You may have severe adrenal dysfunction.

________________________________________________________________

Hi Psyche,
Thank you for the transcription of this quiz.
However, are you sure that the first line of every scoring key starts by 0? This should mean that even if we have none of the syndromes we still have a problem. In fact according to this quiz we all have all these deficiencies :o

Yeah, it starts by 0, so it says "you might have a low deficiency in this or that". I pretty much counted my low ones as "normal" and I'm paying attention where I scored severe and moderate.

I had severe low levels of serotonine and gaba, and those were the 2 supplements I chose not to take... I have several moderates, but I only recently started my saunas, so we'll see. In general, I'm doing way much better than 5 months ago when I started my diet/detox.

Brain function is directly influenced by what you eat, and by nutritional deficiencies, allergens, infections, toxins, and stress. “Mental disorders” and “brain disorders” are simply the names of common responses our bodies have to a variety of insults and deficiencies. [...]

Click to expand...

this is what TCM(Traditional Chinese Medicine) says too ,the 5 elements all have a emotion to go with it,two even, as there can be not enough or too much energy(chi)in each organ.

here is a link to a interactive chart of the 12 'Chinese' organs and their element and mood and the foods recommended for their treatment
=http://www.astrodreamadvisor.com/Qi-Cycle.html

Thank you psyche for posting the quiz,i will have to read the book as soon as i can
RRR

Wow- this website is really interesting. There is a free "intro" to his ideas that one can download (a hefty 183 page pdf file). It includes recipes, menu plans, suggestions for supplements, and more. So far it doesn't seem too far off of Laura and everyone else's detox diet. Have a look: _http://www.ultramind.com/guide.php

There's a few things he doesn't have down (soy is ubiquitous throughout, he does recommend cutting out sugars but honey is okay as well as the majority of fruits, etc.), but overall it's quite good. He recommends FAR infrared saunas, magnesium, Omega EFA's, etc. And, he includes several books by Sherry Rogers in the references section!

D Rusak said:

Wow- this website is really interesting. There is a free "intro" to his ideas that one can download (a hefty 183 page pdf file). It includes recipes, menu plans, suggestions for supplements, and more. So far it doesn't seem too far off of Laura and everyone else's detox diet. Have a look: _http://www.ultramind.com/guide.php

There's a few things he doesn't have down (soy is ubiquitous throughout, he does recommend cutting out sugars but honey is okay as well as the majority of fruits, etc.), but overall it's quite good. He recommends FAR infrared saunas, magnesium, Omega EFA's, etc. And, he includes several books by Sherry Rogers in the references section!

Click to expand...

So better not to concentrate on diet prescriptions in this book, heck, one cannot know everything about food

I'll get that book, Too much moderate and severe hits here. Quite a number of useful hints to check your brain and body toxicity in the quiz, perhaps in the book there's more in order to know about the symptom/supplement link. Thanks a lot!

Again we see that we have to read a whole lot of stuff and collect the best info from many sources and put it together. Obviously, we can't all do ALL that reading, so networking works!

I mentioned in a recipe thread that I am starting to think of all we are learning as The Liberation Diet since it can help to free us from a lot of the controls of the "Matrix". Or maybe it is really kind of like "taking the red pill" diet?

Here is the author's blog (Dr. Mark Hyman), it has stuff which is expanded in his book:

http://ultrawellness.com/blog

Laura said:

Or maybe it is really kind of like "taking the red pill" diet?

Click to expand...

That would be a great title for a recipe book "The Red Pill Diet Book". ;)

And published by Red Pill Press.

I suggested doing something like this once before, as a fundraiser for SOTT. I would be interested in helping to condense these ideas into a book, although I am not a nutritionist by any means. Cool? I am a vegetarian and know nothing about what sort of meat recipes are tasty.

I'm going to start a new thread for this, I think we sort of have one anyway.

Psyche said:

I am reading this book which Laura recommended, "The UltraMind Solution: The Simple Way to Defeat Depression, Overcome Anxiety, and Sharpen Your Mind" by Mark Hyman, M.D. He talks about the role of the body health in mental health and it seems to be a good synthesis of all we've been discussing here in the forum for the last months.

Click to expand...

Thanks for this Psyche! It does appear that the info in Dr Hyman's book comes to complement everything else discussed here on the forum these last months, concerning health, diet, toxicity and how each affects our physical, mental and emotional states. I have been doing the detoxifying shake for almost 3 months now, and been following (almost successfully ;) the anti-candida and probiotic diets. I also just started spending time in the FIR sauna. But i never knew which supplements should i be taking, if i must take all Dr Sherry Rogers recommends (it's a LOT!) and if i wasn't taking them, whether i was depriving my body nutrients it needed. Taking the tests provided by Dr Hyman, it narrows it down to exactly which supplements each organism needs! Which is fantastic!

Anyhow, after i did the tests above and saw that i am mostly low in the neurotransmitters, (severely low levels of GABA, Dopamine and Serotonin, and moderately low in Acetylholine) i did a bit of searching around to see what did that mean for my organism and how to "fix" it, i found some interesting sites that i thought to share with you all, in case it interests you.

I started a new thread for that, focusing only on these four neurotransmitters here
http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=11750.0

[quote author=Smaragde]


Anyhow, after i did the tests above and saw that i am mostly low in the neurotransmitters, (severely low levels of GABA, Dopamine and Serotonin, and moderately low in Acetylholine) i did a bit of searching around to see what did that mean for my organism and how to "fix" it, i found some interesting sites that i thought to share with you all, in case it interests you.
[/quote]

Me too! It seems that my brain chemistry is the first to be imbalanced when I'm sick. Anyway, there are diet tips and lots of explanations in the book which helps individualize a health program, but FWIW this is a synthesis regarding the supplements for neurotransmitters imbalances:

Serotonin:
5HTP, 50mg twice a day, once in the afternoon and once before bed. Add an additional 50mg in the afternoon and at bedtime every three days until you get to a maximum dose of 150mg once in the afternoon and once before bed.
1 to 3 mg of melatonin before bed to help with sleep if needed.

Gaba:
Take GABA, 500 mg once mid-afternoon and once before bed.
Take Theanine, 200mg once in the morning and once before bed. (This is the amino acid from green tea).

Ach:
GPC (glycerophosphocholine) or CDP-choline, 1200mg three times a day with meals for two months, after two months reduce to 400mg three times a day with meals.

Dopamine-Severe
L-Tyrosine 500mg once before breakfast, once mid-morning, and once mid-afternoon.

Click to expand...

Then there are other supplements we already know are helpful: B complex vitamins, magnesium, omega 3s.

This could be a synthesized supplement program for a person low in neurotransmitters:

Supplements for Psyche

Morning
Phosphatidylcholine 1200mg
Amino acids 1 scoop before eating (or L-Tyrosine 500mg 3 times a day on an empty stomach)

Midday
Phosphatidylcholine 1200mg
GABA 500mg
B vitamins every 3 days
Multi-minerals every 3 days

Evening
5HTP 50mg
Phosphatidylcholine 1200mg

Before going to bed
5HTP 50mg
GABA 500mg
Melatonin

Click to expand...

I do the above plus other imbalances including low in fatty acids, but it is still less supplements than the ones I was taking before. And then I do magnesium baths and FIR sauna. I did noticed a difference when I started these supplements, my mind was sharper, it was easier to concentrate. Although the first few days I was oversleeping (9 hours), but who knows, maybe I needed it. Actually, we're supposed to be sleeping 8-9 hours per night :P

Psyche, many thanks! This list is very helpful. I am still searching local pharmacies and health food stores to find these supplements, but i could get some over the internet too. Dr Hyman got an online store, and one has to create an account to view it

http://store.ultramind.com/MyAccount/Login?utm_campaign=guide&utm_medium=email&utm_source=5&utm_content=guide-existing

which contains all the supplements needed for each category for which one scores low in the quizzes. I found it neat :)

psyche said:

I do the above plus other imbalances including low in fatty acids, but it is still less supplements than the ones I was taking before. And then I do magnesium baths and FIR sauna. I did noticed a difference when I started these supplements, my mind was sharper, it was easier to concentrate. Although the first few days I was oversleeping (9 hours), but who knows, maybe I needed it. Actually, we're supposed to be sleeping 8-9 hours per night :P

Click to expand...

I am too moderately low in fatty acids, so i added fish oils to my list. I was going for Cod oil, but Dr Mercola says that Cod oil should not be taken by people who are already getting enough sunlight - which i am.

http://products.mercola.com/faq/cod-liver-fish-oil.htm

I received my book this week and I have just begun to read it. May i sat that I find it very very interesting.

Here's a couple of quotes.

Mark Hyman said:

Why Traditional Neurology and Psychiatry typically don’t Work

Psychiatry has its roots in the notion that previous life experiences or traumas control mood and behaviour. This is the legacy of Sigmund Freud - that all mental illness is the result of childhood experiences.

Yet only about 10 percent of us are nutritionally, metabolically, and bio-chemically balanced enough to fully benefit from psychotherapy.

What's more, years of psychoanalysis or therapy will not reverse the depression that comes from profound omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, a lack of vitamin B12, a low-functioning thyroid, or chronic mercury toxicity.

Certainly, if the body is back in balance, working with the emotional and spiritual dimensions of our suffering is critical and necessary. But it is a very hard road to follow without addressing how our genes, diet, and environment interact to change our brain chemistry and detract from the optimal function and balance of our body and mind.

If you have a significant biological imbalance, psychotherapy is a distraction and a waste of time.

And many of us suffer from biological imbalances...

Sensing this, modern psychiatry has moved into an elaborate attempt to control brain chemistry with drugs, as if all mental illness were a brain chemistry imbalance and all we have to do is match the right drug (or drugs) to the mental illness.

Click to expand...

Mark Hyman said:

Here's another example. When you go see a psychiatrist or psychologist, you are given the label "depression" if you meet the criteria agreed upon by the psychiatric community and outlined in the classic manual of the American Psychiatric Association, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV).

Here is the list of features for depression from the DSM1-IV:

• Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). (In children and adolescents, this may be characterized as an irritable mood.)
• Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in ail, or almost ail, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
• Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than five pounds of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
• Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much) nearly every day.
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
• Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt, or a specific plan for committing suicide.

There are even subtypes of depression such as mild, moderate, and severe, with and without psychotic features, chronic, catatonic, melancholic, atypical, and more outlined in a similar manner.

And there are literally thousands of different distinctions like these made for the major "mental diseases" catalogued in the D5M-IV. They include disorders of childhood, delirium, dementia, or cognitive disorders, substance abuse disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, and sleep disorders.

But this description of depression (and of ail the other mental disorders in the DSM-IV) is only of the symptoms we observe. These descriptions tell us nothing at all about why those symptoms occur, or how people with exactly the same symptoms may have them for many different underlying reasons and need different and individualized treatment as a result.

At a recent dinner for Research! America (an advocacy group for research and dissemination of research) in Washington, D.C., I sat with the surgeon general and the director of the National Institutes of Mental Health, Thomas Insel, M.D. The discussion around the dinner table focused on the limitations of our current approach of breaking down the body into its component parts to understand how things work.

1 asked Dr. Insel what he thought of the DSM-IV. He said that it has 100 percent accuracy, but 0 percent validity - that it provides a perfect way to describe symptoms, but has nothing to tell us about the underlying biology for what causes them.

He proposed a new model of psychiatry, called "Clinical Neuroscience," which would encompass the entire spectrum of things that affect the mind and the brain. We discussed the need for the medical establishment to move beyond its current limited model of diagnosis (both in psychiatry and the rest of medicine). It no longer reflects the science or our understanding of how the body works.

The future of medicine is personalized treatment, not "one size fits all." The outdated method of naming the disease and then assigning a drug to fix it clearly isn't working.

Unfortunately, few in the medical industry today seem to understand this. The truth is that medical practice is virtually predicated on the myth of diagnosis.

I want to help you understand how serious this problem is, because it is the basis of everything I am explaining in this book. It is not trivial because it changes everything about how we think about disease and what to do about it.

Click to expand...

Mark Hyman said:

Addressing the underlying imbalance in your body that cause brain dysfunction will allow you to venture more deeply and successfully into the exploration of your mind and your soul.

Click to expand...

Smaragde said:

I am too moderately low in fatty acids, so i added fish oils to my list. I was going for Cod oil, but Dr Mercola says that Cod oil should not be taken by people who are already getting enough sunlight - which i am.

http://products.mercola.com/faq/cod-liver-fish-oil.htm

Click to expand...

Or as suggested in the book:

Mark Hyman said:

Just eating a can of sardines (which are full of healthy omega-3 fats and phospholipids) will help your brain grow, improve connections, make mood chemicals work better, he1p cells communicate better, reduce inflammation, and improve the function of every cell in your body by giving them the fats they need to build smooth, fluid membranes that communicate information easily. And all that with a few bites of lunch!

Click to expand...