Overview
Instead of using a pharmaceutical drug, what if your doctor knew how to look deeper to find out what is causing your depression, ADHD, or anxiety? While there is a time and a place for drugs, they can have significant side effects and may not be as effective at correcting an underlying imbalance in the body. Functional Medicine practitioners look at gut health, genes, diet, hormones, and so much more to create a thorough healing plan.
In today’s episode, I talk with Dr. Uma Naidoo, Dr. George Papanicolaou, and Dr. Drew Ramsey about how diet and lifestyle can be both a cause of and treatment for depression and other mental health issues. Dr. Uma Naidoo is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and nutrition specialist. In her role as a clinical scientist, Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based clinical service in nutritional psychiatry in the US. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital Academy while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Naidoo is the author of This is Your Brain on Food.
Dr. George Papanicolaou is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is board certified in family medicine from Abington Memorial Hospital. Upon graduation from his residency, he joined the Indian Health Service. In 2000, he founded Cornerstone Family Practice in Rowley, MA. He began training in Functional Medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015, he established Cornerstone Personal Health—a practice dedicated entirely to Functional Medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou joined The UltraWellness Center in 2017.
Dr. Drew Ramsey is a psychiatrist, author, farmer, and founder of the Brain Food Clinic in New York City, offering treatment and consultation for depression, anxiety, and emotional wellness concerns. He is the author of three books, most recently the award-winning cookbook Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients That Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss, and Transform Your Health.
Full-length episodes of these interviews can be found here: