Ultra-metabolism is a dietary lifestyle plan written by Dr Mark Hyman, which encourages the user to eat the right foods in order to live a healthy, long life free of disease. The main focus of this diet is to eat the right balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in order to promote faster metabolism, however as a lifestyle approach, is also geared at reducing stress, managing inflammation and detoxifying the liver.
The Ultra-metabolism diet encourages eating regularly at 3 hour intervals throughout the day and is separated into three stages.
The initial stage of the program is a one-week dietary preparation, where the user is encouraged to omit sugar, alcohol, caffeine, junk food and hydrogenated fats from their diet.
The following stage is a three week detox of dairy products where the user is alternatively introduced to the concept of ‘healing’ foods. These include soy products, cold water fish such as salmon, and green vegetables such as bok choy and Brussel sprouts.
The final stage of the diet can be applied short or long-term and involves the user gradually introducing previously omitted foods back into their diet in order to monitor the effects they have on their health. The user is encouraged to eat lean proteins for every meal, and select foods packed with phytonutrients as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-aging foods. Hyman promises that by the end of eight weeks, a follower of the ultra-metabolism diet can stand to lose between 11 and 21 pounds or more.
One of the draws of the dietary program is that it includes a selection of menus and shopping lists which the user can make effective use of, and therefore the Ultra-metabolism diet can be applied to the individual’s lifestyle which both makes it an interesting means of inspiring a healthy change of lifestyle in the user, as well as a difficult program to sway from. It also discourages the user from calorie counting and makes them feel more healthy and in control of their own lifestyle.
Criticism has been made of the diet however in suggesting that it is too strict, and that followers of the ultra-metabolism plan can find themselves feeling restricted by the limitations placed on what they can and cannot eat. Whilst some dietary plans include cheat meals, which the individual can occasionally apply to their lifestyle, Hyman’s ultra-metabolism diet has very little room for dietary exceptions.
