Dr. Uma Naidoo (IG: @drumanaidoo) is a Harvard trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and nutrition specialist. Her niche work is in Nutritional Psychiatry and she is recognized worldwide as a medical pioneer in this more newly recognized field.
Dr. Uma has a special interest on the impact of food on mood and other mental health conditions. She’s been asked by The American Psychiatric Association to author the first academic text in Nutritional Psychiatry.
Dr. Uma just released her first book, This Is Your Brain on Food.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Dr. Uma’s learning to cook journey
- How Julia Child inspired Dr. Uma to pursue culinary school
- The emerging field of Nutritional Psychiatry
- Food modifications when battling cancer
- Pay attention to your body and your habits
- Cancer patients need a solid support system
- Be present and enjoy the good moments
- Black pepper activates curcumin in turmeric
- The language behind “treat days”
- Using turmeric to treat depression & anxiety
- The vagus nerve connects your gut and brain
- Fermented foods vs. probiotics
- How we eat and when we eat is important
- Gut bacteria and your libido
- Saffron is an effective antidepressant
- Sugar impacts your mental health
- Omega-3s helps boost mood & fight anxiety
- Finding the root cause of mental health challenges
- The impact of caffeine & alcohol on your sleep
- Is a magnesium deficiency affecting your mood or anxiety?
- Vitamin D improves anxiety
- Be kind to yourself & others
