Natural Mood Balance
Brain Nutrition for Mood Balance and Weight Loss
A core principle of my clinical nutrition practice for over 15 years now, is that every health issue has a complex brain component that is affected by the delicate balance of brain chemicals and hormones. And that these brain chemicals are governed by what we eat and the nutrients we get into our bodies on a regular basis. There are four major brain chemical systems; the Catecholamine system, the Cholinergic system, the GABAergic system and the Serotonergic system. The primary brain chemicals in each of these systems are:
-Reversals of high blood pressure and elimination of insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks by controlling GABA (By the way, GABA is the same receptor affected by the drug Valium).
-Reversal of memory loss, poor cognition, depression and low motivation with nutrients that control acetylcholine
-Elimination of mood swings, depression, anxiety, addictions, alcoholism and weight problems with nutrients that affect dopamine levels.
Obesity and its related diseases such as food addiction and diabetes are included, because weight gain and loss are controlled by the brain. Anyone who has eaten a pint of ice cream or a pizza in one sitting knows that certain foods can cause us to over-ride our body’s physical fullness signals based on the "buzz" we get from eating them. Even when we do not stimulate the sensory pathways in the mouth, we still can experience a reward signal—or craving—that comes from the brain. This is very much like (or exactly like really) an addict with a drug. That is why my work with clinical nutrition, supplementation and mood balancing is based on restoring your brain to optimum functioning to get the results you need to feel your best naturally.Even if you are currently on mood regulating medication you can still work with your diet and nutrients to feel even better and to feel more balanced for the long run.
By increasing dopamine, you can increase your metabolism and upgrade your mood ; by increasing acetylcholine, you can eliminate unhealthy fat cravings and increase brain function; by increasing GABA, you can get rid of obsessive/anxiety related eating patterns, insomnia and develop portion control; by increasing serotonin, you can give yourself and your brain some rest, satisfaction, feelings of security and serenity. With enough serotonin and dopamine available to your brain, you will no longer crave carbohydrates, sugars, salty foods, alcohol, marijuana and most pills. You also may see your cravings for high-risk behavior to be reduced or eliminated as "adrenaline junkies" are typically low in dopamine and other neurotransmitters.
The key is then to feed yourself foods that your brain truly needs (not what you crave from an unbalanced brain) in order to create the optimum levels of these brain chemicals using the nutrients that we should be getting from our diets. These nutrients can oftentimes be taken as a combination of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and then used by the body to restore proper brain levels of these brain chemicals or “neurotransmitters”. I don't advise just buying any nutrient and experimenting. Either get help from an expert in this field or at least invest in a good book. I recommend some at the end of this article.
Why Fad Diets Don’t Work For Mood Balance or Weight Loss
Restricted diets that choose one nutrient group over another and cut out whole food groups, may seem successful at first, but the results never last. When you restrict certain macro nutrients, like carbohydrates, protein or fat, your brain doesn’t get all the nutrients it needs, so the body sends out a hunger signal that results in overeating. You also deplete the brain chemicals needed to eliminate unhealthy food cravings and feel satisfied. The Atkins Diet, which notoriously limits carbohydrates to dangerously low levels, will take the pounds off quickly for those willing to cut out all bread, rice and other starchy carbohydrates. The problem is that as soon as your brain no longer has enough Serotonin you will begin to eat carbohydrates again (or become very, anxious and depressed or both). It usually takes 3 to 6 months for most people doing this diet for the first time to bottom out their Serotonin levels and start feeling symptoms and eating carbohydrates again. Almost everyone doing this so-called “diet” will put on all the weight they took off and then some. They also will develop a serious carbohydrate bingeing problem that they may not have had before because their brains get so “buzzed” off of the carbohydrates and the serotonin that it has become so deprived of. Many people report first “needing” anti depressant medications such as Zoloft and Prozac ( Serotonin Re uptake Inhibitors) for low serotonin symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, addictions and food bingeing after doing a carbohydrate-restrictive diet like Atkins. Another big problem is that these medications are a temporary fix as they keep the serotonin you have circulating in your brain while signaling the brain that you have enough and don’t need to make more. This is why it can be so hard to get off of these medications when your anxiety or depression seems like it has passed. If you are on one of these medications, you can still use amino acids and nutrients safely (in a supervised manner with your Doctor and your Clinical Nutritionist) and wean down off these medications when you are ready, or at least make sure you are getting the nutrients you need in addition to the medications so that when you are ready to get off them you don't bottom out and feel worse than when you started them.
The key to healthy and lasting weight management is not in counting carbohydrates, fat grams, or calories or cutting out food groups, but in figuring out the foods and nutrients your body needs for optimal health, and in balancing brain chemistry through nutrition—something anyone can do easily and effectively. It is an eating plan you can follow for life. I use your symptoms, your health history and lab testing if needed to determine what your body needs and I make it simple for you to follow. This works successfully over 95% of the time if you are willing to do your part. The other 5% are people with other issues that have not yet been identified. Usually we are able to find and take care of sub-clinical thyroid, hormone or adrenal issues that are blocking full healing and recovery.
One way to increase your nutrient content is through the foods you eat. I advocate a diet that is high in nutrient-dense foods, like fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, lean and clean protein sources, healthy fats, pure water, teas, and spices. However, modern farming techniques have significantly depleted our food sources of their nutrients. Organic choices are certainly better, but they are not always available, so even when we are eating lots of fruits and vegetables, we are usually only getting a fraction of the nutrients these foods should contain. That is why nutrient supplementation is becoming more important than ever. With vitamins and nutrients you want to look for the highest quality you can find.
As a Nutritionist I can say that many supplement companies deliver poor quality supplements for a high price (or a cheap price actually think Centrum but don't buy it please) and I know that it is hard for a lay person to know which ones are best. Start with looking for companies that sell through Licensed Doctors or Nutritionists as well as companies that follow GMP practices. Organic, natural supplements with no preservatives, harmful additives or artificial ingredients are best. I will do a later article or blog post on how to find a high quality supplement. In the mean time: when in doubt ask me. Some of the Brands I do like are Douglas Labs, Biotics Research, Metagenics, Pure Essence Labs, Designs for Health, Standard Process, Nordic Naturals and Jarrow Formulas. For herbal products I like Gaia, Frontier and Eclectic as well as Herb Pharm.
To figure out exactly what nutrients you may need, give me a call or an e-mail, or attend one of my classes on balancing moods with nutrition and take my symptom test. Alternatively, just start with an Initial Consultation so we can figure out exactly what your body and mind need to function optimally and for you to look and feel great!
Some great books on this subject:
“The Mood Cure” by Julia Ross, M.S.
“The Diet Cure” by Julia Ross, M.S.
“Potatoes not Prozac” by Kathleen De Maison, PhD.
“The Edge Effect” by Dr. Eric Braverman. M.D.
julikeenecn@gmail.com 310-503-0592 julikeene.com Keene Nutrition on Facebook and Twitter
MY UPCOMING CLASS ON NATURAL MOOD BALANCE IS TBA 2012 (The last class was a huge hit!) Please see link to register or contact Juli at the email or phone above for more information. Class will be available after for downloading as audio or video. Sign up for our monthly Nutrition Newsletter Emails for the list of classes, articles and events.
Next Class Dates to Be Announced!! See Events page for other classes.
All rights reserved. Juli Keene, CN /DEC 2011 Copyright
A core principle of my clinical nutrition practice for over 15 years now, is that every health issue has a complex brain component that is affected by the delicate balance of brain chemicals and hormones. And that these brain chemicals are governed by what we eat and the nutrients we get into our bodies on a regular basis. There are four major brain chemical systems; the Catecholamine system, the Cholinergic system, the GABAergic system and the Serotonergic system. The primary brain chemicals in each of these systems are:
- Dopamine
- Acetylcholine
- GABA
- Serotonin
-Reversals of high blood pressure and elimination of insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks by controlling GABA (By the way, GABA is the same receptor affected by the drug Valium).
-Reversal of memory loss, poor cognition, depression and low motivation with nutrients that control acetylcholine
-Elimination of mood swings, depression, anxiety, addictions, alcoholism and weight problems with nutrients that affect dopamine levels.
Obesity and its related diseases such as food addiction and diabetes are included, because weight gain and loss are controlled by the brain. Anyone who has eaten a pint of ice cream or a pizza in one sitting knows that certain foods can cause us to over-ride our body’s physical fullness signals based on the "buzz" we get from eating them. Even when we do not stimulate the sensory pathways in the mouth, we still can experience a reward signal—or craving—that comes from the brain. This is very much like (or exactly like really) an addict with a drug. That is why my work with clinical nutrition, supplementation and mood balancing is based on restoring your brain to optimum functioning to get the results you need to feel your best naturally.Even if you are currently on mood regulating medication you can still work with your diet and nutrients to feel even better and to feel more balanced for the long run.
By increasing dopamine, you can increase your metabolism and upgrade your mood ; by increasing acetylcholine, you can eliminate unhealthy fat cravings and increase brain function; by increasing GABA, you can get rid of obsessive/anxiety related eating patterns, insomnia and develop portion control; by increasing serotonin, you can give yourself and your brain some rest, satisfaction, feelings of security and serenity. With enough serotonin and dopamine available to your brain, you will no longer crave carbohydrates, sugars, salty foods, alcohol, marijuana and most pills. You also may see your cravings for high-risk behavior to be reduced or eliminated as "adrenaline junkies" are typically low in dopamine and other neurotransmitters.
The key is then to feed yourself foods that your brain truly needs (not what you crave from an unbalanced brain) in order to create the optimum levels of these brain chemicals using the nutrients that we should be getting from our diets. These nutrients can oftentimes be taken as a combination of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and then used by the body to restore proper brain levels of these brain chemicals or “neurotransmitters”. I don't advise just buying any nutrient and experimenting. Either get help from an expert in this field or at least invest in a good book. I recommend some at the end of this article.
Why Fad Diets Don’t Work For Mood Balance or Weight Loss
Restricted diets that choose one nutrient group over another and cut out whole food groups, may seem successful at first, but the results never last. When you restrict certain macro nutrients, like carbohydrates, protein or fat, your brain doesn’t get all the nutrients it needs, so the body sends out a hunger signal that results in overeating. You also deplete the brain chemicals needed to eliminate unhealthy food cravings and feel satisfied. The Atkins Diet, which notoriously limits carbohydrates to dangerously low levels, will take the pounds off quickly for those willing to cut out all bread, rice and other starchy carbohydrates. The problem is that as soon as your brain no longer has enough Serotonin you will begin to eat carbohydrates again (or become very, anxious and depressed or both). It usually takes 3 to 6 months for most people doing this diet for the first time to bottom out their Serotonin levels and start feeling symptoms and eating carbohydrates again. Almost everyone doing this so-called “diet” will put on all the weight they took off and then some. They also will develop a serious carbohydrate bingeing problem that they may not have had before because their brains get so “buzzed” off of the carbohydrates and the serotonin that it has become so deprived of. Many people report first “needing” anti depressant medications such as Zoloft and Prozac ( Serotonin Re uptake Inhibitors) for low serotonin symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, addictions and food bingeing after doing a carbohydrate-restrictive diet like Atkins. Another big problem is that these medications are a temporary fix as they keep the serotonin you have circulating in your brain while signaling the brain that you have enough and don’t need to make more. This is why it can be so hard to get off of these medications when your anxiety or depression seems like it has passed. If you are on one of these medications, you can still use amino acids and nutrients safely (in a supervised manner with your Doctor and your Clinical Nutritionist) and wean down off these medications when you are ready, or at least make sure you are getting the nutrients you need in addition to the medications so that when you are ready to get off them you don't bottom out and feel worse than when you started them.
The key to healthy and lasting weight management is not in counting carbohydrates, fat grams, or calories or cutting out food groups, but in figuring out the foods and nutrients your body needs for optimal health, and in balancing brain chemistry through nutrition—something anyone can do easily and effectively. It is an eating plan you can follow for life. I use your symptoms, your health history and lab testing if needed to determine what your body needs and I make it simple for you to follow. This works successfully over 95% of the time if you are willing to do your part. The other 5% are people with other issues that have not yet been identified. Usually we are able to find and take care of sub-clinical thyroid, hormone or adrenal issues that are blocking full healing and recovery.
One way to increase your nutrient content is through the foods you eat. I advocate a diet that is high in nutrient-dense foods, like fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, lean and clean protein sources, healthy fats, pure water, teas, and spices. However, modern farming techniques have significantly depleted our food sources of their nutrients. Organic choices are certainly better, but they are not always available, so even when we are eating lots of fruits and vegetables, we are usually only getting a fraction of the nutrients these foods should contain. That is why nutrient supplementation is becoming more important than ever. With vitamins and nutrients you want to look for the highest quality you can find.
As a Nutritionist I can say that many supplement companies deliver poor quality supplements for a high price (or a cheap price actually think Centrum but don't buy it please) and I know that it is hard for a lay person to know which ones are best. Start with looking for companies that sell through Licensed Doctors or Nutritionists as well as companies that follow GMP practices. Organic, natural supplements with no preservatives, harmful additives or artificial ingredients are best. I will do a later article or blog post on how to find a high quality supplement. In the mean time: when in doubt ask me. Some of the Brands I do like are Douglas Labs, Biotics Research, Metagenics, Pure Essence Labs, Designs for Health, Standard Process, Nordic Naturals and Jarrow Formulas. For herbal products I like Gaia, Frontier and Eclectic as well as Herb Pharm.
To figure out exactly what nutrients you may need, give me a call or an e-mail, or attend one of my classes on balancing moods with nutrition and take my symptom test. Alternatively, just start with an Initial Consultation so we can figure out exactly what your body and mind need to function optimally and for you to look and feel great!
Some great books on this subject:
“The Mood Cure” by Julia Ross, M.S.
“The Diet Cure” by Julia Ross, M.S.
“Potatoes not Prozac” by Kathleen De Maison, PhD.
“The Edge Effect” by Dr. Eric Braverman. M.D.
julikeenecn@gmail.com 310-503-0592 julikeene.com Keene Nutrition on Facebook and Twitter
MY UPCOMING CLASS ON NATURAL MOOD BALANCE IS TBA 2012 (The last class was a huge hit!) Please see link to register or contact Juli at the email or phone above for more information. Class will be available after for downloading as audio or video. Sign up for our monthly Nutrition Newsletter Emails for the list of classes, articles and events.
Next Class Dates to Be Announced!! See Events page for other classes.
All rights reserved. Juli Keene, CN /DEC 2011 Copyright