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The Microbiome Breakthrough: Harness the Power of Your Gut Bacteria to Boost Your Mood and Heal Your Body
A groundbreaking, medication-free, scientifically based approach to healing depression, anxiety, and brain fog by focusing on your "whole brain"--the brain, the gut, the microbiome, and the thyroid
There is a fundamental connection between the brain, the gut, the microbiome, and the thyroid: if any one part of this "whole brain" system is malfunctioning, it will impact the others. Taking care of your whole brain is the basis of Dr. Kellman's revolutionary approach to curing depression and other mood problems--without medication.
Based on Dr. Kellman's decades of experience as a physician and his ongoing study of the latest science, the book offers a lively, accessible explanation of how the brain works and why, for optimal brain health, you need to heal the microbiome, the gut, and the thyroid. With a proprietary three-week plan (21 days of meal plans, featuring 50 original and simple recipes; a complete exercise program; and a program of daily meditations and affirmations). The Whole Brain program offers drug-free relief to anyone suffering depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, as well as those who just want to feel better.
There is a fundamental connection between the brain, the gut, the microbiome, and the thyroid: if any one part of this "whole brain" system is malfunctioning, it will impact the others. Taking care of your whole brain is the basis of Dr. Kellman's revolutionary approach to curing depression and other mood problems--without medication.
Based on Dr. Kellman's decades of experience as a physician and his ongoing study of the latest science, the book offers a lively, accessible explanation of how the brain works and why, for optimal brain health, you need to heal the microbiome, the gut, and the thyroid. With a proprietary three-week plan (21 days of meal plans, featuring 50 original and simple recipes; a complete exercise program; and a program of daily meditations and affirmations). The Whole Brain program offers drug-free relief to anyone suffering depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, as well as those who just want to feel better.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2018
69 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Raphael Kellman
19 books7 followersRaphael Kellman M.D. is a pioneer in functional medicine who has a holistic and visionary approach to healing.
In 17 years of practice, he has treated more than 40,000 patients, many of whom have come to him from all over the world and after suffering without help for years. Dr. Kellman is driven by his desire to alleviate suffering and to help people regain health based on a new vision and understanding of healing and the causes of disease.
As a doctor trained in internal medicine, Dr. Kellman uses the latest drugs and technology to treat specific diseases but his approach to medicine is patient-centered and holistic. He focuses on the complex interaction of systems--not just the disease but on you as a whole person who is greater than the sum of your parts.
Dr. Kellman's treatments are informed by his background in the philosophy of science, and administered with compassion and kindness. Drawing on the latest research, he addresses your biochemistry, metabolism, hormones, genetics, environment, emotions, and life circumstances to help you achieve optimal health.
In 17 years of practice, he has treated more than 40,000 patients, many of whom have come to him from all over the world and after suffering without help for years. Dr. Kellman is driven by his desire to alleviate suffering and to help people regain health based on a new vision and understanding of healing and the causes of disease.
As a doctor trained in internal medicine, Dr. Kellman uses the latest drugs and technology to treat specific diseases but his approach to medicine is patient-centered and holistic. He focuses on the complex interaction of systems--not just the disease but on you as a whole person who is greater than the sum of your parts.
Dr. Kellman's treatments are informed by his background in the philosophy of science, and administered with compassion and kindness. Drawing on the latest research, he addresses your biochemistry, metabolism, hormones, genetics, environment, emotions, and life circumstances to help you achieve optimal health.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 16, 2018
A lot of great info in this book, but it really could have been half the content.
September 26, 2018
“The Whole Brain” by Raphael Kellman M.D.
This book is a mashup of several different genres- self-help, advice, medical and, diet. In this book Kellman introduces readers to the concept of the whole brain. The whole brain consist of the brain, guts, microbiome and, thyroid. Kellman suggest that there is a correlation between brain dysfunction (depression, anxiety and brain fog) and, an unhealthy whole brain. He argues that an optimal gut, microbiome and, thyroid will improve function in the brain.
His argument seems believable... the brain is not singular, it works within a system, that impacts, and, can impact other systems within the body. I was really eager for Kellman to prove his point. However, after reading this book I’m not 100% convinced that the whole brain protocol works...I’m skeptical.
The reason I’m not on board with this diet/protocol is that I feel Kellman never gave evidence that the diet/protocol works. In the book there were examples of patients whose brain function improved on this diet/protocol but, the examples were very vague. Kellman would state person A came in depressed...test were done...person A treatment consisted of herbs, supplements and, probiotics. After person A was on this diet for awhile, person A claims to be feeling better, fog gone, mood better...blah, blah, blah...
I know this book was written for the general public and, not for an academic journal but, I wanted the methods, measurements (what were the microbiome levels before, during and, after diet),...the facts. I wanted the examples of patients to include there medical history and, lifestyle...before, during and, after the diet. And, the book did not provide this type of important evidence.
I also found the diets explanation on why or, how certain foods are good or, are not good for the function of the whole brain vague. The blurb in the beginning of a recipe would state - ingredient A is comforting for the whole brain...the gut likes ingredient B...ingredient C supports brain and, thyroid function....but, (again) how and, why are these ingredients important to the improvement of brain function. Now, Some ingredients did get a better explanation as to why a particular item was good for the whole brain but, that was seldom.
I’m also skeptical about people maintaining the whole brain diet. There were only a few recipes included in the book and, honestly, I would get sick of eating the same thing over and, over again. I do agree with Kellman that organic, natural and, preservative free ingredients are the better way to go when consuming food. Unfortunately, this type of food consumption is out of reach for many people. Organic, natural and, preservative free foods are very expensive. It’s very hard to avoid toxins when a person is on a budget (I don’t know why grocery stores won’t stop putting harmful foods on there shelves or, why the government won’t take action on the agricultural sector...sorry I had to complain...that’s what was going through my mind when I would read any part of the diet that called for an organic ingredient).
This book did have a lot of interesting information. However, the information was not presented in the best way possible. There was a lot of repetition (there were many times in the book where I said to myself...’you’ve already said that’), some parts were vague, and some parts dragged on. I was very disappointed that this book also lacked the facts and, evidence to back up Kellman’s theory that an optimal gut and microbiome improve function in the brain. After reading this book I’m not convinced that microbiomes are the solution to healing depression, anxiety and, brain fog. IMO, I would be very cautious to follow the whole brain protocol.
This book is a mashup of several different genres- self-help, advice, medical and, diet. In this book Kellman introduces readers to the concept of the whole brain. The whole brain consist of the brain, guts, microbiome and, thyroid. Kellman suggest that there is a correlation between brain dysfunction (depression, anxiety and brain fog) and, an unhealthy whole brain. He argues that an optimal gut, microbiome and, thyroid will improve function in the brain.
His argument seems believable... the brain is not singular, it works within a system, that impacts, and, can impact other systems within the body. I was really eager for Kellman to prove his point. However, after reading this book I’m not 100% convinced that the whole brain protocol works...I’m skeptical.
The reason I’m not on board with this diet/protocol is that I feel Kellman never gave evidence that the diet/protocol works. In the book there were examples of patients whose brain function improved on this diet/protocol but, the examples were very vague. Kellman would state person A came in depressed...test were done...person A treatment consisted of herbs, supplements and, probiotics. After person A was on this diet for awhile, person A claims to be feeling better, fog gone, mood better...blah, blah, blah...
I know this book was written for the general public and, not for an academic journal but, I wanted the methods, measurements (what were the microbiome levels before, during and, after diet),...the facts. I wanted the examples of patients to include there medical history and, lifestyle...before, during and, after the diet. And, the book did not provide this type of important evidence.
I also found the diets explanation on why or, how certain foods are good or, are not good for the function of the whole brain vague. The blurb in the beginning of a recipe would state - ingredient A is comforting for the whole brain...the gut likes ingredient B...ingredient C supports brain and, thyroid function....but, (again) how and, why are these ingredients important to the improvement of brain function. Now, Some ingredients did get a better explanation as to why a particular item was good for the whole brain but, that was seldom.
I’m also skeptical about people maintaining the whole brain diet. There were only a few recipes included in the book and, honestly, I would get sick of eating the same thing over and, over again. I do agree with Kellman that organic, natural and, preservative free ingredients are the better way to go when consuming food. Unfortunately, this type of food consumption is out of reach for many people. Organic, natural and, preservative free foods are very expensive. It’s very hard to avoid toxins when a person is on a budget (I don’t know why grocery stores won’t stop putting harmful foods on there shelves or, why the government won’t take action on the agricultural sector...sorry I had to complain...that’s what was going through my mind when I would read any part of the diet that called for an organic ingredient).
This book did have a lot of interesting information. However, the information was not presented in the best way possible. There was a lot of repetition (there were many times in the book where I said to myself...’you’ve already said that’), some parts were vague, and some parts dragged on. I was very disappointed that this book also lacked the facts and, evidence to back up Kellman’s theory that an optimal gut and microbiome improve function in the brain. After reading this book I’m not convinced that microbiomes are the solution to healing depression, anxiety and, brain fog. IMO, I would be very cautious to follow the whole brain protocol.
August 3, 2021
I agree with Kellman's premises and have found microbiome health to be a huge factor in my psychiatric disorders, yet, this book still missed the mark a little for me. I found it to be too repetitive, while not giving enough information in other areas. For instance, the author reiterates, multiple times, how and why doctors do not sufficiently test for thyroid issues and how the ranges are not sufficient to catch many people who struggle. Yet, no markers are given of what the author deems better ranges. To be sure, there is a lot of interesting information on which probiotics have statistically been especially helpful in certain conditions. I think that putting all of the information into the book could have just been done a little better, paring back on some areas that are overly repetitious, while including more information in areas that needed it. One other things that bothered me is that he speaks of patients, but it seemed that they went on The Whole Brain diet and were cured. I would have like to know more about their specific plan for their unique issues and how they dealt with setbacks. I can't believe that they all went on the plan and furthermore, eat perfectly and life never gets in the way. While, scientifically, I feel that much of what he is integrating would cause improvements, the waving the magic wand and getting results stories are more likely to make some skeptical. They just don't seem personable or realistic.
January 18, 2020
I pre-read the reviews of this book and, noting that it was going to be a repetitive slog, listened to this audiobook on 1.5x speed. This was a good idea, because really, there’s not a huge amount of content to be gained from it other than: your gut is connected to your thyroid, your thyroid’s connected to your brain, your brain is connected to your gut, so eat healthy food. (And take a ton of supplements and maybe get some advanced-level thyroid testing.) I did learn that stress and gut health are a closed, self-perpetuating loop of badness with a much more complicated biochemical basis than I’d have imagined. If I’d been paying closer attention, I could tell you by exactly which molecular pathway my least favourite person triggers my gut problems and mental fatigue, but alas, biochemistry has always been in one ear and out the other for me. I can’t comment on the recipes because, well, audiobook, but some of the rationale behind his food recommendations jives with the nutritional advice I’ve seen in other gut health books, so it’s probably legit.
November 1, 2020
Absurdly repetitive, even frequently repeating entire paragraphs.
Helpful information on the interplay of brain, gut/microbiome, endocrine system (thyroid gland in particular). He sometimes even lets us know that something is not (yet) scientifically validated.
I like the view of our cognitive abilities providing capabilities to solve specific problems and our feelings giving us reasons to want to do that.
But mainly he is very quacky, overconfident and overdramatizing.
Helpful information on the interplay of brain, gut/microbiome, endocrine system (thyroid gland in particular). He sometimes even lets us know that something is not (yet) scientifically validated.
I like the view of our cognitive abilities providing capabilities to solve specific problems and our feelings giving us reasons to want to do that.
But mainly he is very quacky, overconfident and overdramatizing.
September 1, 2021
As almost all the other reviews say, this is a very repetitive book. Not sure if the author is using an NLP style technique to get the info to stick into the reader's mind (as in Allen Carr's Easyway to Stop Smoking), but it felt really unnecessary.
I listened to the audiobook and I have to stress that the repetitive-ness is no joke. On a few occasions I checked my library app to make sure I didn't accidentally rewind or go back a chapter. As someone who experiences brain fog, this absolutely messed with me as to whether I heard it before or what.
The book definitely is filled with useful information, but equally filled with useless information, and information that one should either verify the sources or discuss with their doctor before acting on. Such as the SIBO diet. If you do not actually have small intestine bacterial overgrowth, or a condition where this is a risk, the diet may not be beneficial at all.
There are a ton of suggested foods and recipes. I'm not sure I would try any, mostly because this is an audiobook that I am borrowing from the library. However, I'm willing to look up recipes on the Google. Can confirm that listening to the recipe chapter definitely made me hungry.
I listened to the audiobook and I have to stress that the repetitive-ness is no joke. On a few occasions I checked my library app to make sure I didn't accidentally rewind or go back a chapter. As someone who experiences brain fog, this absolutely messed with me as to whether I heard it before or what.
The book definitely is filled with useful information, but equally filled with useless information, and information that one should either verify the sources or discuss with their doctor before acting on. Such as the SIBO diet. If you do not actually have small intestine bacterial overgrowth, or a condition where this is a risk, the diet may not be beneficial at all.
There are a ton of suggested foods and recipes. I'm not sure I would try any, mostly because this is an audiobook that I am borrowing from the library. However, I'm willing to look up recipes on the Google. Can confirm that listening to the recipe chapter definitely made me hungry.
Want to read
September 6, 202380 of 302
will go back to at some point
will go back to at some point
July 9, 2024
A tad repetitive but speaks to the link between the gut, microbiome, and brain.
August 22, 2025
Interesting. Totally believe in the connection between gut and thyroid. Both of which I have a challenge with.
The recipes look interesting and worth trying. Seems very similar to Whole30 concepts.
The recipes look interesting and worth trying. Seems very similar to Whole30 concepts.
April 18, 2021
Enjoyed the writing, anecdotes, connection, and opportunities to understand the complexities between the brain, gut, and microbiome.
July 1, 2022
If you’re looking for more informative microbiome book by an author who doesn’t worship big pharma and believes in a preventative, food-first approach I highly recommend Brain Maker by Dr. David Perlmutter. Brain Maker includes a superior gut microbe reset plan with great recipes. Another I would recommend above this book is The Mind Gut Connection by Dr. Emeran Mayer.
May 19, 2020
Great information but the recipies and meals plans were not organized in a way a could be easily followed.
January 18, 2021
Some interesting, thought provoking information. Definitely worth a read for the health interested.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews