Nutrition & Integrative Medicine
For Mental Health

Nutrition & Integrative Medicine for Mental Health incorporates and examines a variety of components: 

• Drug interactions: Many medications can cause nutrition decline or deficit and in turn affect mental well-being. For example, some antidepressants and antipsychotic medications cause metabolic syndrome and contribute to inflammatory processes. The inflammatory processes are linked to obesity and many auto-immune disorders or chronic illness. 
• Chronic Illness: The pharmaceuticals used to treat them, often have mental and emotional repercussions. For example, Statins, a medication used to decrease cholesterol, depletes the body of coenzyme Q10 – an important naturally occurring vitamin-like substance required for the proper function of many organs and chemical reactions in the body. It helps provide energy to cells. Depletion of this nutrient has been linked to Depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and heart conditions. There are a variety of medications that influence nutritional status and in turn physical and mental well being. Online databases are utilized to analyze this.
• Food Allergies and Sensitivities are also explored. For example, gluten has been studied and theorized regarding its link to depression and even its impact on psychosis. 
• Infections & Toxicity in the environment or absorbed by the body in other ways may also impact mental wellness. For example, mold has been linked to cognitive decline.

Treatment Plans are Individualized and Holistic:

There is no one right course of treatment for anyone therefore it is important to understand the individual with a whole-person assessment. 

Treatment may include: 

• Exploring alternatives to pharmaceuticals and how to optimize nutrition. 
• Considering Bio-individuality: we carry the genetic influence of how we evolved. The ratio of foods that are biochemically right for you based on genetics. 
• Balancing biological rhythms is a core approach and always incorporated. When irregular, Circadian Rhythm (the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle) and Ultradian Rhythms (recurrent period or cycle repeated throughout a 24-hour day) disrupts cognitive function and the integration of right and left brain hemispheres. 
• Incorporating wisdom of nature and how it provides us with means to bring about balance to our mind, body, and spirit, including Human and Animal relationships. 
• Learning to use Culinary Medicine which is cooking for emotional and mental health. Clients are taught to understand the role of foods and are guided in adhering to and making these behavioral changes. We understand it is not enough to know what to do therefore working with a therapist can help connect clients with the motivation that will increase adherence. 
• Developing a working understanding of the proper use of supplements. Taking supplements based on personal research may not be efficient for a specific person’s needs based on genetics and geographic area. It is also possible to combine medications or supplements in a way that results in adverse effects. It is important to question whether they are taking enough or what supplements are right for them. 
• Initiating a supplement regimen to help reduce prescription medicines. Herbal supplements are also helpful in a variety of ways; assisting the enhancements of physical and emotional well-being. 
• Incorporating detoxification processes such as eliminating sugar or caffeine etc. 
• Understanding the role of hormones and having awareness of how they influence our well-being. 
• Exercise – finding something that works for you and is enjoyable. Reestablishing a healthy relationship with physical movement rather than viewing it as an undesirable task. Movement is central to cognitive function and the modality is targeted toward the person’s preferences.
• Breathwork and meditation.
• Spirituality and metaphysical work can also be incorporated if a client desires.