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 (0:23) Will you live long enough to meet your great-grandchildren? (2:12) The power of morning thinking time and gratitude (4:12) How unhealthy habits can shorten family time (6:05) Breaking health patterns passed through generations (8:47) Why health should be your number one priority (14:50) Staying committed to health when others question you (16:06) Food, habits, addiction, and feeling your best (17:58) Taking control of your mornings and your mindset (21:03) The three-year ideal life exercise (25:18) How thinking time changed Talor’s career (28:43) Long-term...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (02:27) Dr. Dasari’s personal autoimmune health journey (07:20) Different fiber types and finding what works (15:03) The limits of gut microbiome testing (18:57) What healthy poop may look like (22:44) Constipation, stool softeners, and hydration (26:12) Foods, medications, and habits that harm gut health (31:13) Supporting the microbiome during antibiotic use (35:21) Gut-friendly breakfast ideas (43:03) Stress, trauma, and unmet personal needs (48:18) How the MindGut Immunity Clinic supports patients (51:54) Where to find Dr. Chanu (54:25) Outro Who is Dr....
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:50) Bill’s background in sports nutrition, bodybuilding, and fat loss research (2:26) Minimum effective dose for strength training (8:27) Best training volume and frequency for muscle growth (12:38) Full-body workouts vs. body part splits (15:25) Opposing muscle groups and keeping weight training focused (19:18) Cardio, strength training, diet, and fat loss (28:21) Why protein matters for fat loss and muscle (36:10) Calories in, calories out, and the protein exception (41:47) Menopause, energy, weight gain, and body changes (44:34) Hormone therapy and quality of...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:12) Laura Morris’ background and her mother’s brain health research (3:36) What the MIND diet is and how it compares to Mediterranean and DASH diets (7:53) Leafy greens, vegetables, and berries for brain support (14:59) Whole grains, beans, and flexible eating (21:59) Foods to limit for better brain health (29:08) Olive oil, nuts, seeds, fish, and healthy proteins (35:38) Wine, alcohol, and brain health (41:57) Seed oils, fried foods, and eating out (46:32) Cooking methods, high heat, and inflammation (49:11) Laura’s resources, books, and where to learn more...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:12) How nutrition became part of his psychiatry practice (5:45) Brain chemistry, mood, and mental fitness (9:02) The role of medication, therapy, and lifestyle habits (17:19) The nine tenets of mental fitness (21:43) Nutrient density and why it matters for the brain (23:13) Folate, B vitamins, and depression risk (27:21) Top brain food categories (34:16) Pasta, Mediterranean eating, and brain health (39:59) Whole foods, keto, and processed food reduction (48:30) Lower-carb eating, healthy fats, protein, and mental health (54:42) Where to find Dr. Ramsey’s book and...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:00) Heather Moyse’s Olympic and athletic background (2:19) Champion mindset and value-based choices (7:48) Parenting, support, and being your child’s biggest fan (20:54) Regret, potential, and choosing the right path (29:29) One step back, two steps forward (32:43) Redefining realistic and breaking limits (43:35) The Podium Process: dream, plan, pursue, achieve (46:05) “How close can I get?” as a mindset tool (50:43) Heather’s book, coaching, and where to find her Who is Heather Moyse? Heather Moyse is one of Canada’s most accomplished...
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Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:34) High-functioning depression research (4:36) Red flags and loss of joy (10:03) Biopsychosocial model (19:39) Happiness vs. joy (25:45) Intentional resting and grounding (32:32) The Five V’s method (43:46) Routines, sunlight, movement, and productivity (45:25) Where to find Dr. Judith (45:46) Outro Who is Dr. Judith Joseph? Dr. Judith Joseph, M.D., M.B.A., is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, educator, and mental health advocate known for her work in high-functioning depression, women’s mental health, menopause, and reclaiming joy. She is...
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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