Big Fat Depressing Statistics

Just wanted to share a few horrific statistics that crossed my radar recently…

Depression in the US has reached new highs: 29% of adults have been diagnosed with it (up 10 points from 2015); 18% currently have, or are being treated, for depression (up 7 points).  Source: Gallup, May 2023

The global cost of obesity is now estimated at a crippling $4 trillion by 2035. So it’s not entirely surprising to see that Novo Nordisk, the maker of obesity drug Wegovy (that I’ve written about many times), has seen such huge recent sales that it just overtook Nestlé (who recently announced that 54% of its food/beverages are unhealthy) as Europe’s second largest company. Source: Reuters, May 2023

I think you’ll see the irony of a pharma company overtaking the valuation of the world’s biggest food company after launching a weight-loss drug (big food gives us diabetes/obesity and big pharma creates a pill or shot to “cure” us)?

Would it surprise you to know that we can actually solve both mood problems like depression and metabolic problems like obesity SIMULTANEOUSLY by supporting the Microbiome-Gut-Brain-Axis?

My book on the topic (Mental Fitness – Maximizing Mood, Motivation, & Mental Wellness by Optimizing the Brain-Body-Biome) is recently out as an Audiobook – and you can also watch many of the topics (and simple solutions) for free on YouTube.

We’re in an interesting time in history where the new science of the microbiome and Gut-Brain-Axis is providing us with natural tools to fight back against the damaging effects of stressful media-saturation, ultra-processed foods, and synthetic drugs – enabling us to not merely “survive” – but to significantly “thrive” in today’s modern world.

Amare Science Call and Questions

Here is the video of the Amare Science Call from this past Wednesday night.

Rather than doing a slide presentation like I typically do, I decided to talk about a few cool new studies and answer some questions from the chat.

Here is what I talked about…

McKinsey report – healthy aging – mental wellness was top determinant 

Immune study (with FREE microbiome measurement) – email JulieTalbott@mac.com

23 Billion mentions of ADHD on TikTok 

Melatonin and gut inflammation – and a better option

Is There a “Best” Food for Weight Loss?

The one food that I recommend (and that I eat almost every day myself) to maintain weight is plain whole-milk Greek yogurt – here’s a VIDEO that explains why…(or read below)…

Yogurt – because the fermented milk is rich in a wide range of natural compounds that support the microbiome and overall gut health – so it helps to repair “leaky gut” – which can lead to inflammation that interferes with blood sugar balance – leading to hunger and cravings and can “block” your ability to lose weight)

Greek – because this form of yogurt has more than double the protein of regular yogurt – and that added protein in your diet will help to control hunger as well maintain your muscle mass as you lose body fat.

Whole-milk (versus “fat-free” or “reduced-fat”) – because the extra fat helps to maintain blood sugar and appetite better than non/reduced-fat versions – and part of that fat is a type known as CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) that helps speed up fat-burning and overall metabolism.

Plain – because so many yogurts are packed with sugar – some have 30-grams or more (as much as a full-sugar soda!) – so choosing plain allows you to dial in your own level of sweetness by adding fruit, granola, jam, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, maple syrup – whatever you’re feeling.

Hope that helps!

Volunteers Needed for Research Study

We’re running a new study on a natural yeast extract for its effects on mood, inflammation and the microbiome!

Based on our previous research on a similar yeast extract (beta-glucan), we expect to see benefits for lowering stress and stress hormones (cortisol), improving microbiome balance, and prevention of burnout.

The study is 6 weeks long – and volunteers get free measurements of cortisol, inflammation (cytokines), microbiome (gut bacteria), and mood (stress, tension, fatigue, etc).

There will be 3 measurements – at the start (baseline), middle (week 3), and end (week 6) of the study – and we will send the sample collection kits to you (and your supplement or placebo) – and you will send your samples directly back to our lab – EASY!

Our previous studies of yeast beta-glucan showed a 20% improvement in “overall well-being” (psychological vigor) – so we are excited to expand our research to include inflammation and the microbiome.

If you’re interested, please email Julie (JulieTalbott@mac.com) for more information.

Last Day to Register for Mental Wellness Coach Certification

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – so it’s a great time to get Certified as a Mental Wellness Coach.

We have a special discounted tuition of $500 to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month – but registration ends TONIGHT at midnight ET

Please register HERE

If you are registering from OUTSIDE THE USA, then please DO NOT include your address in the registration form…

We will reopen registration in June or July for the next cohort at the regular tuition of $750 (as we are adding new features like mobile access, closed captioning, and additional content).

See more about the CMWC course content below – and looking forward to “seeing” you all in class!

Certified Mental Wellness Coach


The Certified Mental Wellness Coach (CMWC) is a streamlined, focused, intense course spanning 16 hours of instruction in the role of diet and lifestyle factors in balancing the Microbiome-Gut-Heart- Brain-Axis for improved Mental Wellness.


Why Becoming a CMWC is Important


At no time in human history have we ever been so “advanced” technologically and yet so miserable psychologically.


It’s no exaggeration to describe stress, depression, anxiety, and burnout as epidemics – literally the “Black Plague” of our modern times.

How you feel is not just in your head, it’s also in your gut, and your heart, and your immune system, and in many other places inside and outside the actual brain in your head.

National surveys show that happiness and life satisfaction levels are at all-time lows, while depression, suicide, drug addiction, and use of prescription antidepressants and pain-killing opioids are at all-time highs.

There is no physical health without mental wellness. They are two sides of the same coin, and they are vital for each other and for our ability to reach our peak potential in this one life that we have to live.

The CMWC will explore research-supported natural approaches can improve how we feel mentally and perform physically in every aspect of our daily lives, including:

  • What is Mental Wellness Coaching
  • Education, Guidance, Training, Support to help unlock potential
  • Why EVERYONE needs a coach!
  • What Mental Wellness Coaching is NOT
  • Counseling, treatment, prescribing, medicine…
  • Objectives
  • Workshop Format
  • 500+ slides (many for reference)
  • Part 1 – Science
  • New Paradigm of the Gut-Heart-Brain-Axis
  • Science-based products natural approaches
  • Mental Wellness Economy
  • Science Deep Dive
  • Part 2 – Practice – What to DO?
  • Mindset
  • Ingredient Sourcing
  • Functional Nutrition
  • Immune System
  • Stress
  • Gut-Brain-Axis
  • Endotoxemia / Metabolism
  • Heart-Brain-Axis
  • Physical Performance
  • Weight Loss
  • Sleep
  • Anti-Aging

CMWC Registration Closing Monday

Hi Everyone – thanks for another great response to our Open Enrollment for the May edition of the Certified Mental Wellness Coach program (CMWC).

We opened registration on May 1 – and we will close it on May 8 (Monday) – so please sign up in the next couple of days if you want to get enrolled at the low $500 tuition.

As we continue to add new features – such as mobile access, closed captioning, weekly LIVE video chats, and lots of new content – we will be increasing the tuition (to $600-$750 as all this new functionality is implemented).

Register HERE and “see” you in class.

NOTE – if you are registering from OUTSIDE the USA, please just leave the address information blank to avoid error messages.

Ice cream prevents diabetes?

apple.news/AIxVAK1R1QF-I05kBmPyQoA

Really terrific article in the Atlantic about how science and culture collide – using one of my favorite foods!

As a ‘PsychoNutritionist’ I take an ’80/20′ approach to my eating.

80% of the time, I choose healthy options such as lots of fresh brightly colored fruits/veg, whole grains, lean proteins, fermented dairy, healthy fats, and targeted supplements…(#MentalFitnessDiet)

20% of the time, I choose foods and snacks that are fun (#MentalWellness #FoodisLove)

Loneliness Epidemic

apple.news/Arw8YLTdjQgCqJhgEpjYJUw

One of the most important drivers of #MentalWellness – which is why Amare Global has been about ‘Products, Programs, and PEOPLE’ from the very beginning.

CMWC Registration is Open!

Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Month (May)!

We have (re)opened registration for the Certified Mental Wellness Coach (CMWC) program – after such a wonderful response at the end of March for our first online offering.

If you are registering from OUTSIDE THE USA, then please DO NOT include your address in the registration form…

We have also made the CMWC “mobile-friendly” – so it’s easier to take the lessons with you wherever you go…

We will keep this registration open for one week – until May 8.

See more about the CMWC course content below – and looking forward to “seeing” you all in class!

Certified Mental Wellness Coach


The Certified Mental Wellness Coach (CMWC) is a streamlined, focused, intense course spanning 16 hours of instruction in the role of diet and lifestyle factors in balancing the Microbiome-Gut-Heart- Brain-Axis for improved Mental Wellness.


Why Becoming a CMWC is Important


At no time in human history have we ever been so “advanced” technologically and yet so miserable psychologically.


It’s no exaggeration to describe stress, depression, anxiety, and burnout as epidemics – literally the “Black Plague” of our modern times.

How you feel is not just in your head, it’s also in your gut, and your heart, and your immune system, and in many other places inside and outside the actual brain in your head.

National surveys show that happiness and life satisfaction levels are at all-time lows, while depression, suicide, drug addiction, and use of prescription antidepressants and pain-killing opioids are at all-time highs.

There is no physical health without mental wellness. They are two sides of the same coin, and they are vital for each other and for our ability to reach our peak potential in this one life that we have to live.

The CMWC will explore research-supported natural approaches can improve how we feel mentally and perform physically in every aspect of our daily lives, including:

  • What is Mental Wellness Coaching
  • Education, Guidance, Training, Support to help unlock potential
  • Why EVERYONE needs a coach!
  • What Mental Wellness Coaching is NOT
  • Counseling, treatment, prescribing, medicine…
  • Objectives
  • Workshop Format
  • 500+ slides (many for reference)
  • Part 1 – Science
  • New Paradigm of the Gut-Heart-Brain-Axis
  • Science-based products natural approaches
  • Mental Wellness Economy
  • Science Deep Dive
  • Part 2 – Practice – What to DO?
  • Mindset
  • Ingredient Sourcing
  • Functional Nutrition
  • Immune System
  • Stress
  • Gut-Brain-Axis
  • Endotoxemia / Metabolism
  • Heart-Brain-Axis
  • Physical Performance
  • Weight Loss
  • Sleep
  • Anti-Aging