I read this book years ago but never wrote a review.

There is some good general nutrition advice in here, but the huge takeaway for me was around neurotransmitters and amino-acids.

The quick version: there are many 'brain' issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, etc. that might be the result of a neurotransmitter being deficient. (There are other factors of course that vary based on biology and circumstance, but this is a possible reason for some people).

Because of the blood-brain barrier, you can't just ingest the missing neurotransmitter, but you can ingest the amino-acids and precursors needed to build that neurotransmitter. If it's needed, the brain will use it and you'll feel the results pretty fast (like, within 15-20 minutes). If it's not needed, then you won't.

This is a really important distinction I want to point out in this book vs others. She basically says "If this was the problem, you'll feel the desired effect within 15 to 20 minutes" Many nutrition books offer up a regimen you have to keep up for a long time, and can always point to a slip-up as a reason for it not 'working'. There are parts of the book that are like this too, but the amino acid stuff... like I said, it'll either work almost instantly and you'll realize that was the problem, or it won't and it turns out that wasn't the problem.

Over the years I've recommended some of the amino acids to friends based on symptoms she describes, and I'd say for at least 2/3 of them, it has a noticeable impact (so it was the problem for them).

There's other nutrition stuff in here of course, but the above was the first (and only) time I've encountered this amino-acid for brain function stuff explained in a biologically sound, verifiable manner.


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An interesting look at how different foods affect the body and the brain. I'm not necessarily going to start taking massive amounts of supplements to counteract these imbalances but the knowledge is good and I have a better idea of some foods I should be eating and what not. ( )

An older book (1999) so outdated in some advice (eg. no distilled vinegar or oats for celiacs) but a worthwhile read nonetheless. Main premise is that you can acheive your " natural" weight by dropping the habit of dieting and instead balancing your hormones & correcting any amino acid deficiencies - some pretty cool case studies & what looks like well documented science. Especially helpful for anorexics, bullimics, yo-yo dieters, vegetarians or vegans, pre- or menopausal women - hey, that's damn near everybody! I have a couple of bones to pick, though.
1. "Natural weight" hmmmmm, sounds vague. What if my natural weight is something gargantuan that I cannot live with?
2. We should all be eating a minimum of 2100 calories daily, preferably closer to 2500?!? (As long as they're from quality, whole food sources) Wow! A seductive theory, but who the hell is brave enough to try that one out & risk the weight gain?!? Maybe I'll try it out this winter & hide beneath a giant parka if I explode. Let ya know.
3. I do NOT want to get to the point where I no longer desire coffee & chocolate!!! If I wanted to be some ascetic fanatic...well I DON'T! No, I don't want to shovel in a bag of Milky Ways every day (never happened ;P ) but a small piece of dark chocolate & a few cups of half-caff are a few of the glories of life!!! Hopefully I can retain these small vices & still rock a hot bod (probably not) - either way it's not worth it! ( )