EPI 244: Harvard Trained Psychiatrist On Foods & Habits That Fight Depression & Anxiety Without Medication. With Dr. Uma Naidoo
Release Date: 03/24/2026
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:05) Dr. Joanna Moncrieff and the serotonin myth (2:45) How SSRIs were marketed and what the research found (8:58) What may really cause depression (13:16) Trials, placebo, and emotional numbing (19:46) Withdrawal, dependence, and long-term risks (27:50) Concerns about teens on SSRIs (29:53) Better ways to help people with depression (37:43) Final takeaway (39:42) Where to find Dr. Moncrieff Who is Dr. Joanna Moncrieff? Dr. Joanna Moncrieff is a psychiatrist, academic, and author. She is a Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:04) Dr. Naidoo’s background and why she joined nutrition psychiatry (4:27) Real patient story on anxiety, travel, and gut imbalance (9:17) Foods that harm gut and mental health (13:47) CALMS foods that support anxiety and mood (16:39) Lifestyle habits that improve mental health (26:16) Her honest view on SSRIs and safe deprescribing (31:08) The S.A.W. method for feeling better every day (35:38) Going extremely low carb (42:04) Where to find Dr. Uma (42:39) Outro Who is Dr. Uma Naidoo? Dr. Uma Naidoo is a trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:49) Meet Dr. Jeffrey Gladden (2:25) Hitting a health wall in his 50s (6:08) Discovering thyroid and genetic issues (16:01) Hormone therapy fears and facts (20:23) Why aging is exponential (32:23) “Wake up 27 every day” mindset (38:34) Boosting cellular energy and mitochondria (44:23) How to work with Gladden Longevity (47:48) Outro Who is Dr. Jeffrey Gladden? Dr. Gladden the visionary founder of Gladden Longevity and Advanced Performance Center, initially practiced as an interventional cardiologist before pivoting his focus from late-stage interventions...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:58) Dr. Jess’ journey from hospitalist to functional medicine (2:58) Conventional vs. root cause medicine (4:22) Can you change your genes? (7:14) Parasites: exposure, testing, and prevention (14:26) Environmental toxins and the Total Tox Test (18:19) Mold symptoms and home testing (31:33) Sauna, sweating, and detoxing BPA (36:59) Nervous system stress and chronic illness (40:40) Root canals and hidden health risks (45:43) Where to find Dr. Jess (46:51) Outro Who is Dr. Jess Peatross? Dr. Jessica Peatross is a previously board-certified internal medicine...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:14) What led Dr. Cole to functional medicine and early telehealth (6:13) Why many “healthy” people still feel unwell (11:15) The top 3 blood tests you should ask for (18:58) How inflammation is the real issue (28:21) The “Inflammatory Core 4” foods to cut out (35:26) Carbs, ketosis, and finding what works for your body (40:45) Surprising household toxins that may be harming your health (45:20) Practical steps to reduce exposure and feel better faster (48:48) Where to find Dr. Cole (49:58) Outro Who is Dr. Will Cole? Dr. Will Cole is a leading...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:40) From firefighter to author: Caroline’s backstory (2:25) Why society tells us to slow down after 60, and why we shouldn’t (5:09) The science: how our beliefs about aging shape how we age (12:21) The 5 pillars of healthy aging (17:15) Nature’s healing power: from tree chemicals to birdsong (23:46 The psychology of awe and how it rewires your brain (35:06) Caroline’s mom: biking into her 80s (42:00) Outdoor activities don’t have to be extreme (45:06) How to take the first step (46:58) Where to find Tough Broad and follow Caroline Paul (47:50) Outro ...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:49) Dr. Shah’s background and personal health crisis (4:55) The most important biomarkers: hs-CRP, A1C, ApoB (7:46) How to track inflammation and metabolic health (13:00) Home tools: bioimpedance scale, grip strength meter (21:09) Nutrition basics: just cut ultra-processed foods (27:09) Hidden toxins in your air, water, and skincare (34:37) Longevity circuit: sauna, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen (38:11) Therapeutic plasma exchange and next-gen biohacking (40:01) Dr. Shah’s top 3 health tips anyone can start today (41:18) Where to find Dr. Shah (42:11) Outro ...
info_outlineShow notes:
(0:00) Intro
(1:04) Dr. Naidoo’s background and why she joined nutrition psychiatry
(4:27) Real patient story on anxiety, travel, and gut imbalance
(9:17) Foods that harm gut and mental health
(13:47) CALMS foods that support anxiety and mood
(16:39) Lifestyle habits that improve mental health
(26:16) Her honest view on SSRIs and safe deprescribing
(31:08) The S.A.W. method for feeling better every day
(35:38) Going extremely low carb
(42:04) Where to find Dr. Uma
(42:39) Outro
Who is Dr. Uma Naidoo?
Dr. Uma Naidoo is a trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and nutrition specialist who serves as Director of Nutritional & Metabolic Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and Director of Nutritional & Lifestyle Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy. She is also an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. In her role as a clinical scientist, she founded and directs the first hospital-based clinical service in Nutritional Psychiatry in the United States. Dr. Naidoo is also the author of This Is Your Brain on Food and Calm Your Mind with Food.
Connect with Dr. Uma
Website: https://umanaidoomd.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/umanaidoomd/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drumanaidoo/
Grab a copy: https://umanaidoomd.com/pages/calm-your-mind-with-food
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