Nutritional Psychiatry And Brain Health

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT HELP ADHD

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TESTING and Nutritional Psychiatry Nutritional Psychiatry o er an alternative option to traditional Western medicine in treating behavioral health and mental health issues. ADHD, focus, and brain issues are quite responsive to this alternative approach and provide a great example of how it all works. Research shows that ADHD is primarily genetic, “yet genetics only play a part in loading the gun; it’s the environmental in uences that pull the trigger,” states one article.

Environmental in uences include everything from neurotoxins in the environment, to stress, bullying, social isolation, trauma, and relevant to this article in particular, nutritional de ciencies a ecting genetic expression. e term we use for this is epigenetics. In functional medicine and nutritional psychiatry, testing is a cornerstone—as opposed to guessing!

So how do we in uence the epigenetics in a positive way with nutritional psychiatry applied to ADHD? Here are a few di erent areas:

LKNEXPERT

Dr. Ti any Brown-Bush is diversely trained as an Integrative Mental Health erapist, Traditional Naturopathic Doctor, and Brain Health Practitioner. Her specialty areas are ADHD, Eating Disorders, Nervous System Rewiring, and Post Concussive Recovery. Connect with her at 704.491.2216 or visit www.docbrownbush.com. The Right Fat to Optimize the Brain

Sixty percent of your brain is composed of fat — which means that the brain depends on a steady supply of dietary fat for its health and wellbeing. It really depends on essential fatty acids (EFA), which are the building blocks of fat. Fatty fi sh and fi sh oil supply two of the most important essential fatty acids for your brain: EPA and DHA. If levels are low, as they are in brain struggles and ADHD …

Neurons make less serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps control mental activity and mood.

Cellular receptors for the neurotransmitter dopamine become malformed, which results in lower dopamine levels. This is the biggest neurotransmitter discussed in ADHD.

There are fewer synapses, the bridges between neurons. Other Nutrients That Benefi t ADHD Brains

Amino acid therapy is usually necessary to increase neurotransmitters and receptor sensitivity in ADHD. This is specifi cally increasing dopamine, serotonin, and catecholamines.

Numerous micronutrient cofactors are important, such as zinc and magnesium. Magnesium is one of the key nutrients often recommended. The best recommendation is magnesium glycinate, although most forms of magnesium are helpful—except for magnesium oxide, which is very poorly absorbed.

Vitamin micronutrients important for proper neurotransmitter functions include L-Methylfolate, vitamin B6, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. These are found in highquality meats, beans, seeds, etc.

Probiotics and prebiotics are also extremely important in ADHD, as gut health and foods sensitivities must be screened for and addressed as well.

Hydrochloric acid is important to help improved digestion and absorption of all of the aforementioned nutrients.

Summary Benefi ts for ADHD Brains

Less inattention, less hyperactivity, less disobedience, less hostility — and better spelling, too. These were among the top symptom-relieving benefi ts experienced by children with ADHD who took an omega-3 supplement every day for four months, according to research.

Better memory, better learning with nutrient support and aminos.

Improved “working memory” — the short-term recall that is key to learning. w