If you are suffering from acute or chronic depression and anxiety, you are well aware that conventional treatment with antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications offers little relief, and is often accompanied with undesirable side effects. Fortunately there are well researched alternative, more natural approaches to managing depression and anxiety as well as to improving overall brain health.Research has shown a strong connection between brain function and nutrients. The key to feeling better is through the balance and proper response of both the calming and stimulant neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemcial messengers of the brain and nervous system. They play an important role in regulating our moods. You have probably heard of some of the more common ones such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA and Acetylcholine. These are just a few of many that are housed in your brain and throughout your body.
In order to make an adequate amount of neurotransmitters in your brain, your body needs the proper ingredients such as amino acids. They are used by the brain to regulate moods, feelings and body functions. Other nutrients in botanicals or foods are also used in a similar way by the brain. A deficiency in these key nutrients may results in many symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, ADD and bipolar disorder to name a few.
Conditions that affect the proper manufacturing, delivery and utilization of neurotransmitters include:
- Chronic Stress
- Poor Nutrition and Diet
- Genetic Predispositions
- Toxic Exposure
- Blood Sugar Imbalance
- Infections
- Allergies
What is the Solution to Boosting Mental Health and Improving Brain Function?
Like most holistic treatments, it is an integrated approach. A healthy diet is essential, along with exercise and psycho-spiritual support. Last spring I attended a conference on "MicroNutrients for Mental Health" in Truckee, California. I learned about an amazing company called TrueHope who have developed as fabulous and effective program for treating mental illnesses--mild to severe. I have incorporated their basic program into my practice along with additional protocols that I learned through other functional medicine trainings.
The basic tenants of the program include the following:
- EmpowerPlus--a nutritional supplement designed to address essential nutrient deficiencies
- Total Amino Solution--an easily absorbable amino acid supplement in the form of a complete protein
- Omega 3 Fatty acids--either fish or plant based which are essential for over-all brain health
- Targeted Nutritional Formulas that support healthy circulation to the brain, protect the brain from free radical activity and reduce brain inflammation.
The results are so far amazing! I have patients on the program who wanted to treat their symptoms naturally and were able to successfully discontinue their antidepressants within just a few days. I also have patients who were not on any medication and once started the program, experienced their symptoms dissipate rapidly.
To learn more about the company TrueHope, click here or go to www.TrueHope.com. If you are interested in trying the program yourself or want to discuss it with me in more detail, please go to my website at www.rachellegoeringnp.com for my contact information.
(I wish to thank Apex Energetics for the use of their educational information for this article)
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