Are We All Just Really, Really Nutrient Deficient?

Let’s talk about something we all love: a quick fix for all our problems. You’ve probably heard about biohacking—maybe from that enthusiastic friend who won’t shut up about cold plunges and intermittent fasting (that person probably knows my ex, for which you have my deepest sympathies), or from the latest wellness guru on TikTok promising that a handful of supplements will transform your life. 

Meet Gary Brecka, the self-proclaimed human biologist who believes he’s identified the root cause of most modern ailments: nutrition deficiencies. His theory? Everything from mood swings to autoimmune conditions might be traced back to what’s missing from our diet. 

Who Is Gary Brecka?

Before he became a biohacking advocate, Brecka spent almost two decades as a mortality expert for major life insurance companies. His job was to predict when people would die based on their medical records. 

After reviewing thousands of cases, he started noticing a pattern: certain nutrient deficiencies were repeatedly linked to chronic illnesses and early death. So, instead of just predicting when people would kick the bucket, he dedicated his life to helping them live longer, healthier lives.

Today, Brecka runs a wellness company and teaches people how to “hack” their biology for better performance, longevity, and—if you believe his theories—a disease-free life.

Breaking Down Brecka’s Bold Nutrition Claims 

During his recent appearance on The Skinny Confidential podcast, Gary shared several controversial theories about modern health:

1. Mental illness isn’t what you think it is.

According to Brecka, a huge number of mental health issues—depression, anxiety, mood disorders—aren’t actually “mental” at all. They’re just symptoms of nutrient deficiencies.

“You’re told you have a mood disorder, you’re told you have a personality disorder, you’re told you have a mental illness,” he said. “You don’t have any of those things. You have a nutrient deficiency.”

Yep, you heard that right. According to Brecka, if you’re struggling with anxiety, it might not be your childhood trauma—it could just be a lack of methylfolate (more on that in a second).

2. The real pandemic? Our weak immune systems.

Brecka argues that modern living has absolutely wrecked our bodies. Between processed food, environmental toxins, and a lack of exposure to natural stressors (like germs and dirt), our immune systems are basically running on empty. He even suggests that the rise of conditions like Long COVID-19 reflects this weakened collective immune response.

“The real pandemic is what happened to humanity because we weakened everyone’s immune system,” he said.

So, if you’ve been sick more often post-pandemic, Brecka would say it’s not just bad luck—it’s bad nutrition.

3. Is methylfolate the missing puzzle piece?

Brecka emphasizes the significance of the MTHFR gene mutation, which affects nearly half the population. If you have it, your body can’t properly process folic acid—the synthetic folate found in most processed foods and prenatal vitamins.

Among one of his boldest claims, Brecka argues that pregnant women are given sky-high doses of synthetic folic acid, which their bodies can’t process, leading to postpartum depression and other issues. Instead, he recommends taking a methylated prenatal vitamin with methylfolate (the natural, bioavailable form of folate).

His take? If you’ve ever suffered from bloating, fatigue, mood swings, or IBS and no doctor can tell you why, it might just be a folate issue.

4. Your gut is running on the wrong speed.

Brecka also shares his theory about digestive issues. You know how you can eat the same thing on Monday and feel fine, then eat it again on Wednesday and become bloated? He says it’s not food sensitivity—it’s your gut motility being off, likely due to a nutrient deficiency.

“People think it’s what they’re eating, but it’s the speed of the gut,” he said.

In other words, if you’re constantly battling bloating, constipation, or unpredictable digestion, the issue might not be dairy or gluten. It could be that your gut is running too fast or too slow, thanks to—you guessed it—nutrient deficiencies.

So, Can You Really Cure Everything With Nutrition?

Look, we are all for the power of a good diet. Eating whole, nutrient-dense foods, supplementing smartly, and getting enough sleep can do wonders for your body. But can a few vitamins really erase decades of chronic illness?

The truth is that modern medicine exists for a reason. Yes, we’ve probably been overprescribed for everything from depression to digestive issues, but that doesn’t mean all pharmaceuticals are evil. While fixing your diet and taking key supplements can’t hurt, it probably won’t solve every health problem.

Still, Brecka raises some compelling points. Thanks to all the processed food in the American diet, most of us are deficient in key nutrients, which wreaks havoc on our nutrition, and fixing that could be a game-changer for our health. If you’re intrigued, it might be worth checking your MTHFR status, swapping out your synthetic vitamins for methylated versions, and paying attention to how your body reacts.

As with all things wellness, take what resonates, do your research, and—please—don’t throw out your antidepressants just yet, especially without consulting with your primary care physician first.