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Our early ancestors who lived during the Paleolithic time period lived very differently than we do today. They lived and worked in close-knit groups and ate whatever they could find in nature, which was a diet high in meat and plants. Their hunter-gatherer lifestyles were full of physical activity. There were difficulties of course, as they had to run away from carnivorous animals, which developed what we call today the fight or flight response.

Today, a quick run to the grocery store satisfies our need for nourishment. The food available is hardly the same as our ancestors ingested. Much of it is processed and modified from their original version. For survival, most people work high-stress jobs for long hours, which occur indoors and require little to no physical activity. With such a busy work life, there is little time left for family and friends, and exercise is often out of the question.

Our Paleolithic brothers and sisters may have lead more dangerous, unstable, and shorter lives than we do today. However, studies show that they may have been happier, and their lifestyle might hold several keys to help people today avoid and overcome depression.

Stephen Ildari, author of The Depression Cure, believes that depression is not a natural disease. Rather, it developed over time as modern civilization evolved. People’s everyday lives became more hectic and we disconnected from nature and each other. According to Healthline, 1 in 10 Americans are or have experienced depression. However, in hunter-gatherer societies such as the Kaluli people in New Guinea, depression is reportedly very rare.

Below are three simple (though not necessarily easy) ideas from our hunter-gatherer ancestors of ways to fight and avoid depression which our modern life may be lacking.

Physical Activity: Ildari stressed the importance of exercise in fighting depression, saying that if “it could be reduced to a pill, it would be the most expensive pill on earth.” Exercise releases endorphins in the body which boost your mood. It is a powerful coping strategy which often gets you out of the house and interacting with others, reduces immune system chemicals which lead to depression, and raises body temperature, which can create a calming sensation. It can allow you to feel more in control in coping with depression.

Social Interaction: The Paleolithic people lived in groups and often hunted and gathered in groups. Families worked together and could therefore spend more time together. And obviously their socializing was done face-to-face rather than through devices or social media. Getting out and spending time with family and friends can be difficult for people with depression. However, social interaction often provides the distraction and energy they need to boost moods and see circumstances in a more positive light. Recent studies also show that being part of a social group or having a group identity can benefit people with depression.

Diet: Unfortunately, many foods today are processed, full of additives, and high in sugar. These foods lead to inflammation in the brain and abnormal gut flora which affects your brain’s health.

Poor brain health often contributes to mental illnesses such as depression. At MindWhale, nutritionist and biochemist Nicholas Hundley will work with you to create a natural plan towards healing through diet change. He teaches the Brain Health Course at fxWellness.com to help people implement a lifestyle more in tune with our paleolithic roots. Take the Brain Health Quiz today to learn more about your own brain health and how to improve it.

When most people think of ADHD, the first thing that comes to mind is a hyperactive little boy who can’t sit still. However, ADHD, which can result from poor brain health, affects women too, and many are not diagnosed until adulthood.

The reasoning behind this, is that, oftentimes, boys display the hyperactive symptoms that most associate with ADHD. However, ADHD can manifest itself through inattention, difficulty with organization, and forgetfulness, which is how a majority of girls experience ADHD.

Because inattention is a less visible symptom than hyperactivity, many girls are not diagnosed until later in life when ADHD begins to affect their school work or family life. This can result in low self-esteem

when others assume that these women are simply lazy, disorganized, or irresponsible. Living with ADHD undiagnosed can cause anxiety and depression, and women are often diagnosed with these, while the root of the issue is ADHD.

ADHD can be caused by brain chemical imbalances which can create inflammation in the brain and affects neurotransmitters. In women, low levels of estrogen and fluctuating hormones during puberty, a woman’s monthly cycle, after pregnancy, and during menopause can increase ADHD symptoms.

Luckily, there is hope for women with ADHD. Therapy, exercise, organizational coaching, and diet can all help to improve their lives and ability to function normally. MindWhale specializes in helping those with ADHD improve their brain health. Licensed biochemist and nutritionist Nicholas Hundley tests for chemical imbalances in the brain and will create a plan to help you or your loved one struggling with ADHD on the road to healing. Take MindWhale’s Brain Health Quiz to assess your personal brain health.

It’s hard to believe that time is coming again. The beginning of the school year can be an exciting time—new clothes, new school supplies, new classmates. However, it can also be a stressful time. I remember having vivid dreams before school started each year about getting lost in winding, never-ending hallways and not making it to any of my classes. Though I did get lost a few times, things always ended up working out. Getting a little anxious for the school year is normal. However, the unknown can be scary and can cause anxiety in school kids of all ages.

Below are some proven tips to help lessen your child’s back-to-school anxiety.

1. Try to stay positive– Kids can feed off of the anxiety of their parent’s anxiety. Point out all of the things they have to look forward to-seeing friends they might not have seen during the break, making new friends, and extracurricular activities such as clubs or sports.
2. Don’t allow kids to stay home– School is not a choice but a necessity. Kids can have fears that make them resistant to go to school, but if they don’t go they won’t realize which fears are realistic and which aren’t. School increases social skills through teaching children how to interact with one another. They also are able to create friendships, make important memories, and advance academically.
3. Start preparing for school in advance– Gets kids used to the idea of school and what it will entail. It may be helpful to start having your child wake up at the time they will have to wake up for school a few days in advance so that it won’t be so hard when they have to do it. Make sure that children get working on summer homework so it’s not all saved for the last minute and won’t create positive connotations with going back to school. Make sure your child is set with clothes and school supplies and that their backpack is packed and ready the night before. This will decrease stress for both you and your child in the morning.
4. Listen to your child’s concerns- Listen and be willing to discuss your child’s fears. Talking about them will help. Remember that a fear that may seem small to you could be a big deal to your child. Don’t downplay their fears. Try to help them come up with solutions to the perceived problem or explain how things will most likely be better than they expect. For young children, it can help to also remind them of all the things they have to look forward to at school.
5. Make sure all the basics are met– The school year can get very busy for both parents and students. Make sure that your child is eating healthy, has clean clothes, etc. A healthy body and diet leads to improved brain function and health, which contributes to overall better mental health.
6. Take MindWhale’s Brain Health Quiz with your child– The Brain Health Quiz is a simple, quick way to assess your child’s personal brain health. At MindWhale, you can work with biochemist and nutritionist Nicholas Hundley to create a plan for healing for your anxious child. Children with anxiety disorders have a more difficult time functioning at school than their peers. Start the school year off right by scheduling an appointment with MindWhale.
7. Before school visit– Many schools allow before school visits. This can lessen the unknown for children and help them know more of what to expect before the first day. Arrange for your child to meet their teacher if possible. For older kids, help them find their classes so they have a better idea to go on the first day of school.
8. Make time for family– Some kids may resist going to school because they are anxious to leave family members. Le your child know that you are there for them. Try to be present when kids are home and ask about their school day. Create family routines such as a time for a weekly family hike or family dinner.

 

The swirling controversy over Netflix’s new movie, To the Bone, is bringing the topic of eating disorders to the front of the public’s mind. The film tells the story of Ellen, (played by Lily Collins) a girl who suffers with anorexia and her experiences in an outpatient facility.

The film searches for the reason behind her eating disorder and touches on an incident involving suicide as a result of an eating disorder.

To the Bone is receiving mixed feedback feedback, much like Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, which addresses suicide. Critics believe that To the Bone glamorizes eating disorders. It also includes potentially upsetting images of a girl’s emaciated frame, for which Netflix includes a warning in the beginning of the film.

Though anxiety and depression aren’t specifically named in the film, it is implied that several of the characters may suffer from these illnesses. It raises the question: What is the relationship between eating disorders and mental illnesses, such a depression and anxiety?

Eating Disorders in themselves are categorized as mental illness. 30 million people in the United States suffer from them and 90 percent are females.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, a study conducted in 2004, showed that a whopping two-thirds of people with an eating disorder developed anxiety. 42 percent experienced an anxiety disorder prior to developing an eating disorder. Anxiety and depression can be both a cause and an effect of an eating disorder.

Those with eating disorders often have underlying psychological motivators, such as low self-esteem and recurring feelings of shame and guilt. These feelings, left unresolved for an extended time-period, can result in depression. Because eating disorders often are accompanied by depression and anxiety, it is important that people receive treatment for both throughout the healing process. In fact, according to eatingdisorderhope.com, to adequately treat both conditions would require the help of a physician, therapist and nutritionist.

According to Nicholas Hundley, MS, CNS of MindWhale, anorexia and other eating disorders are part of a constellation of problems related to various forms of anxiety. Often, the anxiety comes about because of inflammation in the body, usually the gastrointestinal tract, that causes the body to go into “fight or flight” mode either constantly or simply far too easily. The resulting anxiety supports anorexia. For example, a large proportion of women diagnosed with eating disorders are also on the autistic spectrum, yet go undiagnosed and are not aware, as was the case with Louise Harrington.

At MindWhale, we are unique in that we help identify and develop healing plans for the hidden inflammation behind eating disorders, anxiety, and autism.

When the body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, the mind is also affected, as the two are interrelated. MindWhale is a mental health organization which uses diet and supplements as a way to improve brain health, which leads to increased mental wellness. Nutritionist Nicholas Hundley will work with you to create a plan towards healing. Take the Brain Health Quiz to assess your personal brain health today.

Jenny McCarthy has recently made headlines for a sweet love note she penned on Instagram to her husband Donnie Wahlberg, founding member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. McCarthy praised Wahlberg’s selfless devotion to his fans, writing, “I have seen you give hundreds, if not thousands, of hugs. I’ve seen you make every person you came into contact with feel like they were somebody special, because you do believe they are special.”

While the media is praising of the couple’s seemingly strong relationship,” McCarthy’s path hasn’t always been easy. The actress, model, and former co-host of the television show, The View, experienced her son, Evan’s diagnosis with autism after he experienced debilitating seizures. Hoping to help her son, McCarthy came across Generation Rescue while googling autism. The non-profit organization helps children on the Autism Spectrum to recover through biomedical treatment, which leads to improved brain health.

Biomedical treatment employs medical testing and diet to regulate and fix brain abnormalities to reduce symptoms of autism. McCarthy joined with the non-profit and is now serving as Board President to reach parents with children who have autism.

The organization’s mission states “Generation Rescue is dedicated to recovery for children with autism spectrum disorders by providing guidance and support for medical treatment to directly improve the child’s quality of life for all families in need.”

McCarthy told CNN that biomedical treatment, as used by Generation Rescue, was successful in helping Evan recover from autism. Part of Evan’s recovery involved a gluten-free diet and vitamin supplements. McCarthy began seeing more responsiveness from Evan after implementing the diet and other measures. She knew that she needed to share Evan’s story with the world and became a spokesperson for Generation Rescue. In so doing, she connected with other parents who had children with autism.Thus, McCarthy’s journey to find a path to her son’s recovery turned into a journey to educate parents about autism prevention and recovery.

Nicholas Hundley of MindWhale has studied at conferences with Generation Rescue’s partner organization, the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, to address the underlying biomedical roots of autism. MindWhale takes a biomedical approach to help patients recover from symptoms of autism and experience an overall higher quality of life. To learn more about how MindWhale can help your loved one with autism, we invite you to watch this webinar: https://mindwhale.com/autism/autism-webinar-information-page/.