The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Rebalance Your Emotional Chemistry & Rediscover Your Natural Sense of Well-Being

by Julia Ross

Explains why &, more importantly, shows us what we can do to improve our moods naturally & restore our enjoyment of life. Drawing on her 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist, clinic director, & pioneer in the field of nutritional psychology, Ross presents breakthrough solutions to overcoming depression, anxiety, irritability, stress, & other mood problems that diminish the quality of our lives. The Mood Cure is a comprehensive program that includes the use of brain-building amino acids (which can improve moods in 24 hours) & other surprisingly potent nutrient supplements, plus a diet rich in good mood foods like protein, healthy fats, & key vegetables. The book begins with an individualized Mood-Type Questionnaire.

Genres: Health, Self Help, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Psychology, Mental Health, Food

387 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

My naturopath recommended this book to me. There's some good info in here about supplements and exercise. But I REALLY hated the way she kept dissing vegetarians/vegans. Apparently, you just can't be healthy nor happy being veg. I'm living proof that's not true!

[fr0zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom sent me this book and two supplements (5-HTP and L-Tyrosine) after I had admitted to her that I was using alcohol to self-medicate my depression and anxiety. She told me to start taking the 5-HTP immediately, even before I read the book.

I've read the book and it really does make a lot of sense. I've stopped drinking for a week. The cravings are still there, but right now I only have the two supplements my mom sent, the others are in the mail.

The 5-HTP makes me feel better within about 15 minutes and I take it twice daily. I'm looking forward to getting my supplements to really put this book to the test.

It's easy to read, since you kind of skip around looking at the portions that pertain to you. Every thing she says is cited and the studies are clearly listed in the back - a huge plus!!

I also like that even though it is a supplement and semi-diet based program (mainly to cut out sugar and wheat), she talks about cutting back on the supplements once your body is back up to snuff and can make the things it's currently not able to. It's like the supplements are a booster. There are some that you are expected to keep taking, which is fine, since many of the chemicals your body needs are hard to get from food.

With just how much better I feel from one supplement this book was worth reading. I'm hoping with the other supplements I will be able to climb out of my funk and start exercising and socializing again. It gives me hope. Hope, mainly because she explains the "why it works" behind everything and I even looked up a few of the studies that seemed too miraculous to me. My husband has a neuroscience hobby and I read to him excerpts and he found even more detail in some of his books that back her up with even more recent research.

Sure the supplements can be expensive, but so can going to a weekly therapy session and taking prescription drugs when you have no insurance or your insurance doesn't cover enough. For me, it's at least worth a shot!!

[Natalie Cardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book not only for people struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD, that type of thing, but also for overstressed, overwhelmed people, and for people with mild depression- sort of low-energy/apathetic type of feeling. I think everyone should read it because the chances are extremely high that you will need the things you learn for yourself at some point in your life or for someone you love. You might even be suffering needlessly, telling yourself it's "normal" and that you just need to "buck up."

This is definitely the best book I have ever read on depression. Partly because the nutrition and supplement recommendations in it are RIGHT ON. I have been like the human experiment and can testify that it works, and it works FAST, like in 5 or 10 minutes.

Her writing is down-to-earth and readable, very persuasive, and the research seems to be impeccable. And again, I think EVERYONE in the entire world should read this book. Taking some of the supplements she recommends for depression should be as much common knowledge as taking a Tylenol for a headache!!!

I am completely on board with the author's philosophy that food in this country isn't what it used to be. This is a very common conclusion in the alternative/holistic health world. But the research is there. Our protein doesn't have as much tryptophan in it so our brains can have seratonin, and our produce just doesn't have the vitamins & minerals in it that it used to. Like I said, this needs to be common knowledge.

[Andrea James · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book for three reasons: 1) I've been feeling extremely tired and run down and hence I'm broadening my scope in looking for ways to fix my body 2) I'm interested in learning about factors that can affect our brain's function, our moods etc. because these in turn often have an effect on our decision-making, which is what I work on 3) the book had great reviews

The first couple of chapters seemed alright - the author lamented about the decline of good nutrition and she highlighted the importance of consuming sufficient amounts of the right amino acids as well as vitamins and minerals. And she provided a number of examples/case studies of patients who made turnarounds with the interventions suggested.

The reason I gave this book one star is that the author then mentioned a homeopathic treatment in the same way as she did all the other recommendations and even suggested "you may need to find a homeopathic practitioner who is familiar with these type of remedies". Everything that the author had said before now became highly suspect and flopped into the pseudoscience category for me.

I tried to carry on with the book but I now just felt that I was probably wasting my time so I gave up on it. The stuff promoted in the book might sound convincing and provide quick solutions to our health and mood problems by literally popping a few pills (of supplements) but any credibility it had has been extinguished by its homeopathic suggestion.

[Petergstrom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Current popular ideas about depression frequently center around “low serotonin” and are the remnants of the outdated monoamine hypothesis that originated in the 1960s and stems from the (perceived)efficacy of monoamine reuptake inhibitors in treating depression. However, despite that fact that the human body is not as simple as the monoamine hypothesis would make it seem, it is still potentiated. Many “health” websites still perpetuate this theory in a way akin to the humor theories of the Greeks and Romans. Websites such as “Universityhealthnews.com” mislead with statements such as “If you’re feeling pessimistic, sad, distrustful, unconfident, or ready to have a panic attack, you may have a serotonin defeciency”. Serotonin is the new “sanguine humor”, and cortisol is the new “black bile”. Even PhD’s such as Joseph M Carver, on his website make outrageous claims such as “Your brain burns up more serotonin than it creates”. Julia Ross MA in her book “The Mood Cure” spouts the same monoamine montra, even going as far as to add monoamine deficiency to symptom clusters and phenotypes despite having zero clinical evidence. This type of literature is harmful and may contribute to decreased quality of life in those with depressive disorders.


The real pathophysiology of depression is farm more complex than any humor based ideas. Evidence suggests many neurological, immunological, endocrinological and psychological factors that may play a role in depression. The ability for the brain, immune system and endocrine system to interact is studied, and is the focus of psychoneuroimmunology. The lack of efficacy of tryptophan depletion, to produce depressive symptoms in non-high risk patients, as well as the inability of fenfluramine(the SSRA) to produce euphoria and alleviate depression fail to support the monoamine hypothesis. Serotonin receptor binding has failed to produce consistent results in relation to depression. Serotonin levels in the blood and CSF fail to differ between controls and depressed patients, further dampening any serotonin based hypothesis of depression.

This book is the largest piece of psuedoscientific bullshit I have ever read. I read it because some review I saw made me cry inside. Do not trust this harlets writing, ideas or dietary reccomendations. Amino acid therapy is ineffective in depression, and as evidenced by the EMS outbreak in the 80s are potentially harmful. See a real doctor for depression. Get real antidepressants.

[Dez Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mood Cure was just what I was looking for. At 53 I started experiencing insomnia, mood swings, anxiety, high blood pressure spikes, food cravings, etc. I thought I was losing my mind and not really sure where to turn,after going to my doctor who put me on ativan, which is a benzodiazepine, and has a really bad history of addiction, this book literally put me back on the right track & saved my life. I was looking for a natural approach to my health crisis, and I found It with this book. It is a starting point for a problem with anxiety & depression, for you it may not be a cure all, but it does give you allot of options. I have learned that great health is a constant journey of trial and error and figuring out what works for your body.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after reading "The Diet Cure," and I'm SO glad I did. Julia Ross knows her aminos and how powerful they can be when it comes to mood. This is information that few, if any, conventional doctors will mention... which is too bad.

I'm now on a regimen of l-tryptophan, l-tyrosine, GABA, DLPA, B-Complex vitamins, calcium/magnesium and quality proteins--and I feel better than ever.

I noticed improvements almost immediately and HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who is struggling with depression and/or anxiety.

I would also recommend for anyone suffering from low energy or apathy.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book filled in a lot of knowledge gaps for me between nutrition facts that I sort of knew before, such as that people need plenty of serotonin and other neurotransmitters to maintain a good mood and that low-calorie diets usually backfire. I've tried some of the recommended eating patterns (less sugar, less refined flour, more protein, not worrying about fat) and I do seem to be feeling better. Hubby made me steak with vegetables and potatoes last night and I woke up this morning feeling more alert (after the first few minutes in the dark) and with a better appetite than I have in a while. Normally I would eat more wheat noodles or bread and less meat. In addition, after eating spinach and cheese omelets for breakfast for a few days, we went to a church potluck on Sunday and I was not tempted AT ALL to eat any of the desserts. I felt totally satisfied and my body hasn't been craving sugar like it sometimes would, although I haven't really been a sugar junkie for a long time--more of a wheat flour junkie.

That said, I do want to investigate the claim that eating tons of saturated fat is good for you. It sounds awesome, but it's difficult for me to shed the idea that saturated fat is evil. I also have not tried any of Ross' advice on supplements, which is mostly what this book is about (her food advice is apparently more fleshed out (haha) in The Diet Cure). I frequently feel like I have low energy, am unmotivated, lack enthusiasm, and sometimes can't stay focused. Vitamin D has helped me in the past and I'm still taking it, but I may try some of Ross' suggestions for low-serotonin-sufferers such as taking a 5-HTP supplement. I've also never taken Omega-3 fish oil supplements and I don't eat much seafood, so that's another consideration.

Overall, I found the structure of the book kind of confusing and overwhelming. When I'm reading this kind of thing, I really prefer more of a list-type format for things to try. Granted, I read the whole book through, and it seems like instead it's more meant for the reader to jump around in. There were some lists like the Master Supplement Plan that the reader could use to figure out what they would try and in what order, but I would have liked to have seen a master list of the bare bones content of everything she talked about in the book--more like an outline of what to try if you have which symptoms, in what dosage and how many times per day and WHAT time, in what order, and what to be cautious about right there on the chart. So, I may try some of the simpler, more harmless solutions and see what happens to me, but if I decide to go any further with it (which I probably won't because I don't have tons of time and money to devote to it), I would want to see a naturopath or a nutritionist.

Update 2/12/2014: I thought I'd update with a note that I did indeed try a 5-HTP supplement, but it was not a good solution for me. It caused me to snap awake in the middle of the night. The author did mention in the book that it does that to some people, though--I guess I'm in that minority.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This looks like a self-help style quick fix book, but its actually realy good if you are interested in natural remedies for any kind of emotional stress, instability, lack of motivation, anxiety etc etc. I have been looking for a good book on the subject of dealing with depression and anxiety through diet and natural means FOR YEARS. Many other books were either too vaque or so complicated that I had to just put it dowm. This is easy to read but detailed enough to take seriously. I learned a lot. It reads like choose-your-own adventure, allowing the reader to focus on individual concerns and jump around a bit. The author also breaks down the depression epidemic as it relates to modern food science (which fit well with the Pollan and Kingsolver I have been reading lately!!) The focus ("cure" if you will) deals with a combination of amino acid supplements with a diet void of sugar, caffeine, alcohol and starchy foods. Seems obvious to cut out these things, but to read the explanations make it a more attainable and worthwhile goal. I was sold, for sure.

[Jeslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a LOT of excellent information from this book, but I held off any review until I put the regimen into actual practice for at least a few weeks.

My friend Natalie also recommended this book, and noted that she regularly saw improvements to her energy/focus level within MINUTES, which was very intriguing to me.

I found that assessment to be true as well - attention, energy, SOUND sleep, alertness on waking all have marked improvement in a very short time span after taking the amino acid supplements. The regimen advocates an array of vitamins in addition to the key amino acids an individual is lacking, and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to keep track of what I should be taking and when, but I got my routine down very quickly. I definitely prefer investing in vitamins over looking for relief with prescription meds.

The author does an excellent job of connecting the nutritional shortcomings of the American diet with the emotional/attention difficulties we experience, and how the supplements work to overcome a broken system. No magic bullets though - diet change is definitely required as well.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading this when the author started advocating homeopathy.

Then, found a review on Amazon that goes into detail about the problems with this book, including blood type diets and a claim that "casein can be as addictive as gluten." What? There's also no citation for the slams against vegetarianism and veganism.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1IP7LVT...

[Imibroccoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING. As a psychotherapist working amongst statutory settings, I must say I can really see the limitation of 'standard treatments' or CBT, and conversely the power of nutritional therapies. Julia Ross's dietary guidelines are in line with the currently popular Paleo/ Low Carb Diet, which I personally see as legitimate. For those who feel like they are in a deep dark tunnel have exhausted every way out, I strongly recommend this book.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a miracle. Can't say enough. Who knew that a fifteen-year anxiety problem could be caused by a dietary problem. I made a few changes to my diet and took some amino acid supplements, and the problem went away. It's a quick read, and the explanations make so much sense. This is one of those books that you wish you could share with everyone.

[Zana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be lifechanging. Unfortunately, I also find myself wanting to give it to other people who I know have trouble with depression and tell them, "This really works! Try it!" with the sort of wide-eyed fanaticism that I know will make them back away slowly.

It intuitively makes sense, though, that instead of tinkering with the reuptake processes of the brain in order to get there to be more free serotonin, you just take the precursors to seratonin.

My only caveat to the "This is fantastic and everyone who has ever dealt with depression should read it" is that it is very down on 12-Step programs, which granted have an abysmal failure rate. Julia Ross has had lot more success treating addiction with her method, so I understand that she's dismissive. 12-Step has saved a lot of people, though, and she's alienating readers who could really benefit from her information.

[C.A. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd heard that the drugs we're prescribing for mental health issues may very well be to blame for the veritable epidemic of mental health disorders (especially just plain depression and anxiety) but I hadn't heard this angle before, at least not in so many words: we're not getting the building blocks our bodies need in order to produce our neurotransmitters because our food is so adulterated. It's definitely true that most of our food these days isn't real food, but it's fascinating to note that the explosion of processed and fast food occurred around the same time that the mood epidemic started gaining traction (and also around the same time that Prozac and similar drugs hit the market, but that's another issue).

Julia Ross makes a solid case for a biochemical basis for a lot of these imbalances... but it's not genetic. It's much simpler than that: eat real, unprocessed food, with plenty of protein; cut out the sugar; and then maybe until you get yourself back to ground zero, supplement with the specific amino acid precursors you need.

I'm a naturopathic doctor, and can verify that this treatment approach works.

[GlobeRunner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the title and subtitle put you off - this book is based on solid science and clinical experience. If you've always had serious "mood" problems and found that intensive efforts to think positively, meditate, rest and go through therapy only helped marginally, this is probably what you need to confirm which biochemical balances you suffer from and find out how to fix them. The reason why I'm not giving it five stars is my hypersensitivity to lectins, which has caused various health problems, one of them being that I can't tolerate when their impact on health is underestimated in scientific literature. Even though I accept that the focus here is on the beneficial effect of amino acids, reading that potatoes "contain neither the omega 6s nor the digestion-blocking lectins which grains and beans always contain" was more than I could take.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant to mark this as “finished” because I plan to refer to it often!

I have read a lot of books about depression and anxiety. I can already say this is one of my top two as far as actually being helpful.

If you take antidepressants, or you feel like you might need them, read this book! It isn’t 100% against taking prescription drugs but it has suggestions for what to do if the drugs are no longer working well for you or if you want to avoid them altogether.

A lot of the negative reviews are from vegans and I understand that. The book pretty much says you should eat a lot of meat. I don’t plan to start eating meat but I’ve already felt a huge difference from adding some of the supplements the book recommends.

If you are feeling sad or anxious or lethargic this book is definitely worth reading!

[Anastacia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this and, along with her other book, The Diet Cure, she basically puts you on a regimen of herbal supplements. I spent about $200 on various herbs (GABA, St. John's and some others I can't remember now) that I had to remember to take at various times of the day (and which to take when). It didn't work for me, I was out the cost of the books, all the money I spent for the pills and my urine smelled like it was a biohazard. TMI. And I sort of lost my pride (see: $200). Some people may prefer not to take pharmaceutical meds for mood/depression related feelings, but that route works for me while this one didn't. To each his own, but I didn't like this approach at all.

[Le Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're in a bad mood epidemic alright, but I don't think it has as much to do with diet than, say, the economy, overcrowding, our deteriorating environment, etc. This book is an interesting take on our current epidemic from the dietary perspective, regardless of how off base it may be at times. The impact of low protein, low fat diet on mental health, in mind, is the most believable. Also- the use of amino acid supplementation to increase endogenous neurotransmitter levels in lieu of SSRIs is great. The role of gluten however is much less proven or believable. This book further supports the cottage industry that is gluten enteropathy.

[Hallie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because I want to be a nutritionist. I knew somewhat about the effects of our diets on our moods, but discovered they were more important than I anticipated. The Mood Cure clearly addresses every part of the average person's dietary intake explaining what the good mood foods are, what the bad mood foods are, and when you need to eat them. Today, many people are not getting the necessary nutrients and therefore have created a vicious cycle for themselves. Ross addresses various angles of trying to fix these nutritional problems in an easy to read way.

[Alysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a borrowed copy from the public library and decided to go ahead and buy my own copy so I can follow it to hopefully kill the depression I've struggled with since 4th grade.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for learning about levels of neurotransmitters and hormones for optimal mood & energy. Good checklists of symptoms and how to treat low neurotransmitters/hormones.

[Annette Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate this book for putting me on to 5-HTP, which has really helped my depression. But I think I also would have gotten there with my naturopath eventually, so if you can afford to see a naturopath doctor I'd recommend that instead (or if you're in WA state where some insurance plans cover naturopaths as primary care physicians!).

This is a good book to recommend for people who are struggling with mental health issues so much that they can't bring themselves to get professional help yet. Supplements (done RESPONSIBLY) can help bridge that gap to make things better enough that someone could then start seeing a therapist and/or doctor/naturopath. Depression too often convinces us we're not worth that kind of care, so that's the big scenario where I think people can benefit from this.

The quiz is also great for highlighting the things that probably affect us more than we realize. Since reading this book I've been able to notice that most of my mood stuff can be traced back to my estrogen dominance, and it's good to know that so I can eat liver-supportive foods and such. So overall a useful resource but not the be-all-end-all.

[Angela Castille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that the author stated something along the lines of, "This book won't heal you. It is a tool to use with conventional medicine and therapies." She focuses on different types of amino acids to help with major mood disorders but gives lists of foods in which those amino acids exists. The author includes a quiz at the beginning to help the reader decide which type of amino acid he or she is lacking.

[Gina Briganti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t you just love reading a stellar book? Julia Ross’s research for The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of your Emotions - Today is inspiring. As a Holistic Health Consultant, I’ve learned more from her about amino acid therapy than I did when I earned my degree in applied nutrition. The Mood Cure is filled with recipes, resources, and practical information. Is it a substitute for qualified care? Not in my opinion. Still, learning what this book has to offer will empower readers to seek out someone who can work with them on this level.

Chapter 13 alone should be required reading for anyone working in mental or holistic health, in my opinion. When I think of all of the suffering that could be prevented…

I highlighted pages and pages of notes on the Kindle version of the book to add to my client’s knowledge base. There is one recommendation that Julia Ross makes that I had trouble with. She advocates a lot of animal protein in the diet. I know a lot of emotionally adjusted vegetarians and vegans. I don’t feel that the amount of animal protein she’s suggesting is right for everyone, or that it’s the only way to go. It is a large disagreement, but if you keep it in mind as you use the book, you'll be exposed to amazing amounts of useful information that can really make a difference.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that made me say "ah-ha" a dozen times. It will have a steady place on my bookshelf as a reference that I will religiously re-read.

After close to 10 years of average health, and consistent battles with insomnia, poor nutrition, caffeine addiction, and the "blahs" this book is reads like a journal of my symptoms...and gives all natural remedies.

It is VERY easy to read and follow. All of the recommended supplements can be found at your local Health or Whole Foods Grocery.

In 3 weeks of taking the supplements recommended I feel like i have had a much needed "brain chemistry tune up." I fell more energy, have been more emotionally balanced, am sleeping REGULAR HOURS (without the aid of drugs) and felt more consistently "happy" than i have in years. The total cost of the supplements was around $200 and worth every penny.

This was a real wake-up call of what I have been doing (or not doing) to contribute to health malfunctions...and the path to the light is cleared.


Author: Julia Ross
Copyright: 2002
Penguin Books
Pages 351 (but read in sections)
Jan 18-Feb15

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read on the connection between nutrition and mood health. A must-read for anyone suffering from various types of mood disorders. It recommends dietary changes, but also amino acid supplements to help you "catch up." Once you are caught up with those deficiencies, you can just continue on the new diet without the supplements.

I would love if general practitioners and mental health practitioners would read this book because the information has the potential to help far more people than pharmaceuticals do. Even if prescription drugs are helping to cure a symptom, they do not address underlying health issues, which may cause more severe problems.

[Gennielc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skimmed.
Some interesting points, but i disagree with the basic premise that we have true emotions and false moods. Yes sometimes my mood is unwarranted for a specific event, but it is usually grounded in history and context. I don't think anything im feeling is either right or wrong (true or false), it simply is.
Number 2, people MUST read and educate themselves about supplements. Just because they're natural doesn't mean they don't have SERIOUS side effects. Going into the drugs.com to look up some of the suggested supplements listed numerous side effects for each one. They shouldn't be taken lightly nor unrelated.

[Fran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe a lot of how we feel relates to our diet. This book stresses that but it also pushes the use of supplements which I don't like. I really prefer eating appropriately then going to supplements if necessary and only under the guidance of a nutritionist or a doctor. This book seems to say that if you take all the supplements it suggests (and you'd need a bag just to carry around each days amount!) you will cure yourself. I don't think it's quite that easy (if taking tons of pills and mixes a day is easy!)

[IsKa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was die Seele essen will – Die Mood Cure von Julia Ross ist als Ratgeber zur Selbsthilfe gedacht.

Die Autorin - Psychotherapeutin Julia Ross - beschreibt in ihrem Buch, wie durch den gezielten Einsatz von Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln wie Aminosäuren und Vitaminen, Stimmungsprobleme behoben und die körpereigene Produktion an notwendigen „Selbstheilungsstoffen“ wiederhergestellt werden kann. Welche Nahrungsergänzungsmittel eingenommen werden sollen, hängt vom jeweiligen Stimmungstyp ab. Zu welchem der vier Stimmungstypen (auch Kombinationen aus allen vier Stimmungstypen sind möglich) man gehört, lässt sich anhand der im Buch enthaltenen Fragebögen ermitteln. Auf dieser Grundlage wird dann schrittweise ein individueller Nahrungsergänzungsplan zusammengestellt.

Zunächst bleibt einmal festzustellen, dass der Inhalt von „Was die Seele essen will – Die Mood Cure“ sehr umfangreich und komplex ist und keines Falls für eine kurzfristige Eigentherapie geeignet ist. Man sollte sich ausreichend Zeit nehmen um sich adäquat mit dem Thema auseinanderzusetzen. Man sollte definitiv auch anderweitig zu dem Thema recherchieren, bevor man mit einer entsprechenden Selbsttherapie beginnt.

Ich persönlich finde den deutschen Titel „Was die Seele essen will“ etwas irreführend. Aufgrund des Buchtitels und der Inhaltsangabe hatte ich persönlich erwartet, dass hier der Fokus stärker auf das Thema Nahrungsmittel, Ernährung, Ernährungsumstellung etc. gerichtet ist. Stattdessen konzentriert sich der Inhalt des Buches überwiegend auf Zusatzpräparate wie Aminosäuren und andere Nahrungsergänzungsmittel und ihre Wirkung auf den Körper. Auch andere Faktoren, die Einfluss auf unsere Stimmung haben können (Schilddrüsenprobleme, Suchterkrankungen etc.), werden ausgiebig thematisiert. Das Thema Nahrungsmittel bzw. gesunde Nahrung wird lediglich in einem relativ kurzen Kapitel angeschnitten und dort im Vergleich zu den anderen Themenbereichen eher oberflächlich abgehandelt. In einem weiteren Kapitel wird noch eine Auswahl von teilweise sehr schönen und schmackhaften Rezepten präsentiert. Das war es dann allerdings auch schon zu diesem Themenbereich. Da sich das Buch überwiegend mit den Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln befasst, hätte ich es wesentlich besser gefunden, wenn man den Originaltitel „The Mood Cure“ beibehalten hätte.

“Was die Seele essen will – Die Mood Cure“ bietet einen ausgiebigen und interessanten Einblick in die Welt der biochemischen Prozesse im Körper, ihre Auswirkungen auf das menschliche Wohlbefinden und wie man das Ganze durch die Einnahme von entsprechenden Präparaten gezielt steuern kann. Bei einigen Kapiteln des Buches fühlt man sich leider von all den verwendeten Fachbegriffen schier erschlagen und verliert vor lauter Fakten-Input schnell den Überblick. Teilweise sind die einzelnen Themen sehr komplex und nicht ganz einfach zu verstehen. Die ständigen Querverweise auf andere Kapitel des Buches und Hinweise auf weiterführende Literatur machen das ganze leider nicht einfacher. Der Nachteil des eBooks gegenüber der Printausgabe wird hier einmal mehr als deutlich. Im Gegensatz zum gedruckten Exemplar, kann man nicht mal eben zwischen den einzelnen Kapiteln hin und her wechseln um etwas nachzulesen. Wenn einem von der ganzen Flut an Fachbegriffen nicht gerade der Kopf schwirrt, dann ist der Schreibstil jedoch sehr angenehm zu lesen.

Anhand der im Buch enthaltenen Testbögen lässt sich ermitteln zu welchem der vier Stimmungstypen man gehört, wobei laut Autorin Julia Ross auch Kombinationen aus mehreren Stimmungstypen möglich sind. Entsprechend der Testergebnisse lässt sich dann ein individueller Nahrungsergänzungsplan zusammenstellen, der sich bei Bedarf jederzeit abändern lässt. Die mehr oder weniger von der Autorin versprochenen Erfolge, welche sich durch die Einnahme der verschiedenen Aminosäuren und weiteren Nahrungsergänzungsmittel einstellen sollen, klingen für mich allerdings fast zu schön um wahr zu sein. Das mag jedoch auch daran liegen, dass ich von Natur aus eher skeptisch bin. Beim lesen hatte ich ein wenig das Gefühl in einer Art Dauerwerbesendung gelandet zu sein. Irgendwann glaubt man, dass man das beworbene Produkt unbedingt braucht. Je weiter ich gelesen habe, desto mehr bekam ich das Gefühl, dass man täglich ein ganzes Arsenal an Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln einnehmen muss, damit man auch alle Bedürfnisse abdeckt und einen entsprechenden Erfolg erzielt.

Bevor man mit seiner individuellen „Mood Cure“ startet, sollte man sich daher nicht von „Was die Seele essen will – Die Mood Cure“ mitreißen lassen, sondern mit Bedacht vorgehen. Auf jeden Fall sollte man sich auch anderweitig über die einzelnen Präparate informieren und ggf. Rücksprache mit einem Arzt halten. Keinesfalls sollte man wahllos Nahrungsergänzungsmittel im Internet bestellen, auch weil die Präparate teilweise nicht gerade günstig sind.

„Was die Seele essen will – Die Mood Cure“ ist eine interessante Lektüre für die man sich allerdings ausreichend Zeit nehmen sollte.
Insbesondere aufgrund der vielen Querverweise auf andere Kapitel des Buches, der Testbögen und der Rezepte empfehle ich bei diesem Buch auf die Printausgabe zurückzugreifen, da man so einfacher zwischen den einzelnen Kapiteln wechseln kann. Außerdem hat man so die Möglichkeit Testbögen und Tabellen zu kopieren und ggf. auch eigene Notizen hinzuzufügen.
Da das ganze Thema teilweise doch etwas kompliziert und durch die ganzen Querverweise und Wiederholungen auch etwas unübersichtlich präsentiert wird, vergebe ich insgesamt drei von fünf Sternen.