balancing brain chemistry with nutrition target therapy

LOOK GREAT. FEEL GREAT.BALANCING BRAIN CHEMISTRY

WITH NUTRITION TARGET THERAPY

The Nutrition DoctorE: [email protected] W: ChristinaSantini.com

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Monday, June 17, 2013

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

THE DIET ISSUE

Nutrient deficiencies in women increased 430% between 1969-1990

Blood sugar, serotonin, thyroid levels drop within 8 hrs on very low cal diet

Result: rebound cravings, fatigue, depression, eating disorders + obesity

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GENETIC DISPOSITION DOES NOT MEAN GENETIC

DETERMINATION!

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LOW FAT DIETS

Traditional fats such as egg yolks, coconut oil, butter, animal fats etc. raise endorphins = mood boosting + pain management

Under-eating is extremely dangerous in the condition we are in: depletes neurotransmitters and makes us more vulnerable to addictions and mental disorders

Anorexia has the highest suicide rate of any mental disorder - calorie restriction basically results in us eating our way into our shrink’s office

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MENTAL DISORDERS

- IT’S A BRAIN STARVATION

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They could save a lot of dollars in rehab and

time on their therapist’s couch if they just

started eating. Sanity - it’s only a bite

away.


AMINO ACID THERAPY

Amino acid isolated therapy is a short-term intervention and needs to be monitored alongside any meds that stimulate that same neurotransmitter

If there is a clear indication of a genetic disposition - i.e. addiction, depression in family medical history then 1 year is needed and maybe life-long > adjust when satiety symptoms appear - monitor monthly

Satiety symptoms (3-12 months): immune to sugar > nausea, jitters, hyperactivity, headache

Should be taken on empty stomach min. 20 min, before foods or with carbs only (especially tryptophan should always as the only amino be taken with a carb to help transport over blood-brain barrier, as this is a bulkier molecule so you want to create a moderate insulin spike to ensure all smaller competing aminos are out of the bloodstream, leaving tryptophan free to enter over the blood-brain barrier.

Should be supplemented with traditional diets: 25-30g protein per meal, 40-50% fats (saturated fats eliminates cravings!), plenty of low-carb veggies + higher carb fruits, grains etc. as tolerated/needed - i.e. low serotonin needs more than low dopamine.

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THE ADDICTIVE FOODS

Sucrose: 50% glucose + 50% fructose

High-Fructose Corn-Syrup > twice as sweet as glucose, generates equal amounts of triglycerides lasting 12 times longer than glucose, comparable in fatty liver damage to alcohol, HFCS has increased in US 25% since introduction

Refined starch

Chocolate

Gluten

Casein

Fat + Salt = Balance it > minor addictive, not to worry - enhances mouthfeel and addictive properties of other addictors - it’s the combination that matters.

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YOUR CRAVINGS REVEAL YOUR BRAIN

CHEMICAL IMBALANCEit’s NOT about willpower - it IS about BRAINpower!

You cannot willpower yourself out of a biochemical imbalance!

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DEFINING ADDICTION

Loss of Control

Continued use despite adverse consequences

Withdrawal symptoms

Relapse

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FRUCTOSE ADDICTION

Four powerful satiety factors are dysregulated by fructose:

Insulin

Leptin

Ghrelin

POMC

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THE SPEEDBALL EFFECT

4 Neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, GABA, endorphins)

+

4 Satiety factors (insulin, leptin, ghrelin, POMC)

+

6 Combined addictors (gluten, casein, salt, fat, sucrose, chocolate)

=

14 times more addictive than cocaine

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CATECHOLAMINES (ENERGY)

Role: alertness, focus, energy, drive, enthusiasm

Symptoms of low catecholamines: low energy, apathy, low blood pressure, diabetes-2

Substances/Cravings: chocolate, sweets, caffeine, cocaine, meth, tobacco, ritalin, adderall,

Supplements: tyrosine (500-3000mg < 3 P),

Nutritional strategy: high protein > red meat

Contraindications: high blood pressure, migraine, bipolar spectrum tendencies, overactive thyroid, melanoma, phenylketonuria (PKU), asthma, carcinoid tumor, excessive cortisol, any cancer but especially lymphatic

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SUGAR ADDICTION

Like cocaine, sugar can reward by stimulating dopamine activity.

- Stice E. Nerolmage 2012

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THE SUGAR TRAP

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SEROTONIN (MOOD)

Role: mood, self-confidence, flexibility, positivity, stability + it is THE most sensitive neurotransmitter to dieting!!!

Symptoms of low serotonin: negativity, irritability, depression, suicidal thoughts, migraines, fibromyalgia, insomnia, hyperactivity, negativity, afternoon/evening cravings, binge behaviors

Substances/cravings: carbs/sweets, alcohol, lexapro, ecstacy, prozac, zoloft, effexor, trazadone

Supplements: 5 HTP 50-200mg when needed + 500mg niacin + 1g magnesium + 1-6mg melatonin for sleep related issues only 20 min. before bed

Nutritional strategy: moderate protein/carb ratio + carb afternoon snacks - make sure to include potatoes, yams, squash and some grains if tolerated

Contraindications: any cancer but especially lymphatic , melanoma, carcinoid tumor

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THE HAPPY PATHWAY

The cofactors need to be in abundant supply AND their action must NOT be BLOCKED by ANTI-NUTRIENTS in order for everything to go smoothly and for us to be happy.

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DEPRESSION AND VITAMINS

Vitamin A

Vitamin B1 + B2 + B3 + B6 + B12

Biotin

Folate

Pantothenate

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

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CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM

Chromium

Fructose Sensitivity

Glucose-Insulin Metabolism

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DEPRESSIVE CONDITIONS

Hypothyroidism

Allergies (incl. food allergies i.e. gluten, casein, lactose etc.)

Hormone imbalances

Hypoglycemia

Nutritional deficiencies

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ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TRICYCLIC + SSRI) DEPLETE NUTRIENTS INVOLVED IN SEROTONIN SYNTHESIS

(THE MEDICATION ADDICTION TRAP)

B-complex vitamins

Selenium

Zinc

Glutathione

Calcium

Magnesium

Vitamin CReference: Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition June 2000

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THE DECEPTION OF ORAL CONTRACEPTION

The use of contraceptive pills has been shown to decrease the physiologic levels of six nutrients--riboflavin, pyridoxine, folacin, vitamin B12, ascorbic acid and zinc.

Reference: J Reprod Med., 1984

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HYPOTHYROIDISM IS THE GREATEST HORMONAL NUTRIENT DEFICIT

DEPRESSED CONDITION

Yo-yo dieting and low cal diets results in low thyroid!Why we gain MORE weight after going back to eating normal after calorie restriction when hypothyroid:

• Body temperature drops

• Metabolic rate decreases

• Fatigue, coldness, mood swings - no mental or physical energy to do anything

• Tendency to store fat instead of burn it

• Anxiety, dry skin, thinning hair, menstrual irregularities, always cold, inability to concentrate, constipation

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NUTRIENTS TO REACTIVATE THYROID

IodineGlutathioneLipoic acidCarnitine

Muscle fatigueAsparagine

plays a role in thyrotropin receptor functionSelenium

200 mg sodium selenite or selenomethionine CholineB vitaminsVitamin A

Thyroid facilitates conversion of caratenoids: why some people with low thyroid look yellow (i.e. also occur often with Anorexia)Vitamin B-complex

Converts T4 to T3, reduces homocysteine levels, increases gastric secretion, absorption of iodine etc.Vitamin C + E

Restores thyroid when compromised liver detoxificationCopperZinc

100 mg zinc sulfate

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ANTINUTRIENTS

Anti-nutrient: A compound or effect from something that either takes more nutrients from the body to process or takes more nutrients from the body to fight the effects from it. Basically, a compound that is causing more harm than good.

- Soy

- GMO

- Sugar

- Refined grains

- Alcohol

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SEROTONIN AND BINGING

Tryptophan depletion triggers bulimic cravings and negative moods in 24 hr.

Reference: Biol. Psych 2000 W. H. Kaye et. al.

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STRESS AND CORTISOL

Awake 2-5 AM, Wide awake, ready to go

Cause: elevated cortisol

Test salivary cortisol levels (as hormone related insomnia due to menopause needs different approach)

Cure: phosphorylated serine 10000mg 4-6 hours prior to cortisol surge and/or

Hydrolyzed casein a2 150mg at high cortisol times

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ENDORPHINS (OPIATES)

Role: motional/physical pain relief, pleasure, reward, numbness when needed

Symptoms of low endorphins: sensitive to pain, emotional, chronic pain

Substances/cravings: cheese, sweets/carbs, chocolate, alcohol, marijuana, Vicoden, heroin, caffeine, tobacco, running, binging/purging, starvation

Supplements: DL/D-Phenylalanine 500-1500mg when needed < 3P

Nutritional strategy: high fat!

Contraindications: high blood pressure, migraine, bipolar spectrum tendencies, overactive thyroid, melanoma, phenylketonuria (PKU), asthma, carcinoid tumor, excessive cortisol, any cancer but especially lymphatic

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GABA (CALM)

Role: calmness, relaxation, stress tolerance

Symptoms of low GABA: stiff muscles, burned out, unable to relax

Substances/cravings: marijuana, alcohol, Xanax, Ativan, starches

Supplements: NAC 2-4g + inositol 1 tsp. when needed

Nutritional strategy: moderate protein/carb

Contraindications: very low blood-pressure

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REFERENCESBraverman E. The Healing Nutrients within. Basic Health Publications 3rd edition. 2003

Gilani GS, Cockell KA, Sepehr E (2005). "Effects of antinutritional factors on protein digestibility and amino acid availability in foods". J AOAC Int 88 (3): 967–87.

Brunner J, Parhofer KG, Schwandt P, Bronisch T. [Cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids, and suicide risk: empirical evidence and pathophysiological hypotheses] Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. 2001 Oct;69(10):460-7. Review. German.

Kidd PM. "Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: rationale for its integrative management." Altern Med Rev. 2000 Oct;5(5):402-28. Review.

Pawlosky RJ, Salem N Jr. "Ethanol exposure causes a decrease in docosahexaenoic acid and an increase in docosapentaenoic acid in feline brains and retinas." Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Jun;61(6):1284-9

Corrigan FM, Horrobin DF, Skinner ER, Besson JA, Cooper MB. "Abnormal content of n-6 and n-3 long-chain unsaturated fatty acids in the phosphoglycerides and cholesterol esters of parahippocampal cortex from Alzheimer's disease patients and its relationship to acetyl CoA content." Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1998 Feb;30(2):197-207.

Assies J, Lieverse R, Vreken P, Wanders RJ, Dingemans PM, Linszen DH. "Significantly reduced docosahexaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid concentrations in erythrocyte membranes from schizophrenic patients compared with a carefully matched control group." Biol Psychiatry. 2001 Mar 15;49(6):510-22.

Harv Heart Lett 2001 Nov;12(3):1-2. "Go fish: a good choice for preventing strokes."

Segal-Isaacson CJ, Wylie-Rosett J. "The cardiovascular effects of fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids." Heart Dis 1999 Jul-Aug;1(3):149-54

Yuan JM, Ross RK, Gao YT, Yu MC. "Fish and shellfish consumption in relation to death from myocardial infarction among men in Shanghai, China." Am J Epidemiol 2001 Nov 1;154(9):809-16

Simopoulos AP. "Human requirement for N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids." Poult Sci 2000 Jul;79(7):961-70

Okuyama H, Kobayashi T, Watanabe S. "Dietary fatty acids--the N-6/N-3 balance and chronic elderly diseases. Excess linoleic acid and relative N-3 deficiency syndrome seen in Japan." Prog Lipid Res. 1996 Dec;35(4):409-57.

Thomas EA, Carson MJ, Sutcliffe JG. "Oleamide-induced modulation of 5- hydroxytryptamine receptor-mediated signaling." Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998;861: 183-189.

Boger DL, Patterson JE, Jin Q. "Structural requirements for 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A serotonin receptor potentiation by the biologically active lipid oleamide." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95:4102-4107

31Economic Research Service/USDA Per Capita Consumption Data System Table 14 Added Food Fats and Oils 1909-1998

32Chang MC, Contreras MA, Rosenberger TA, Rintala JJ, Bell JM, Rapoport SI. "Chronic valproate treatment decreases the in vivo turnover of arachidonic acid in brain phospholipids: a possible common effect of mood stabilizers." J Neurochem. 2001 May;77(3):796-803.

33Oken RJ. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a neuronal membrane phospholipid hypothesis and concomitant therapeutic strategy. Med Hypotheses 2001 Apr;56(4):413-5

34Harymi Okuyama, Ph.D. "Choice of n-3 Monounsaturated and Trans-fatty Acid-Enriched Oils for the Prevention of Excessive Linoleic Acid Syndrome" Workshop on the Essentiality of and Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids The Cloisters National Institutes of Health

35Pietinen P, Ascherio A, Korhonen P, Hartman AM, Willett WC, Albanes D, Virtamo J. "Intake of fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease in a cohort of Finnish men." The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Am J Epidemiol 1997 May 15;145(10):876-87.

Nishiyama␣et␣al.␣Zinc␣supplementation alters thyroid hormone metabolism in disabled patients with zinc deficiency.␣J␣Am␣Coll␣Nutr␣1994:13:62␣67Gartner,␣Gasnier.␣␣Selenium␣in␣the␣treatment␣of␣autoimmune␣thyroiditis.␣Biofactors 2003;19:165␣170.

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balancing brain chemistry with nutrition target therapy

Health & Medicine

low energy

low dopamine

symptoms of low serotonin

low blood pressure

lowcarb veggies

blood sugar

low fat dietstraditional

low cal dietresult