Know this, If youâre;Â
đSad a lot of the time
đŞStruggling with negative self image or guilt
đ˘You find yourself crying a lot or highly sensitive
đLost interest in things you used to enjoy
đĽąStruggle with sleep or sleep a lot
đFeel hopeless & broken
Thatâs not normal.
But also know this: đ
Depression is NOT a character flaw (even though your mind tells you it is)
YOU are NOT broken and unlovable
You DONâT have to suffer forever - there is hope. Iâm living proof of that.
đĽDepression is often caused by a combination of factors:
Brain chemical imbalances 𧠠(often due to nutrient deficiencies)
Gut HealthâŚor lack thereof đŠ (bloating, indigestion, headaches, allergy-like symptoms anyone??)
Nutrient Deficiencies đĽÂ (spoiler: most people have deficiencies even if you eat a healthy diet)
Hormone Imbalances 𧏠(yep, your menstrual cycle can affect your mental health - especially for women with menstrual disorders like PMDD)
Symptoms are you bodyâs way of saying
I NEED SOMETHING - PLEASE HELP MEđĽş
Weâll dive into those causes above, but first I feel called to share a bit of my story.đ
My Depression Story (the short version)
My health challenges began at an early age. At the age of 11 I suffered daily migraines, so painful that all I could do was sleep it off.
By the age of 12, I struggled with unexplainable and sudden bouts depression, severe insomnia & debilitating menstrual pain.
I appeared to be a healthy, but my symptoms were telling a different story.
Mostly, I was a happy and positive little person. Yet for no apparent reason I would fall into deep emotional distress. All my family could do was attribute it to my highly sensitive personality.đ¤ˇââď¸
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I tried many herbal remedies, but nothing was strong enough to cover the chronic deficiencies I had.
After a series of traumatic events, I could no longer hide my symptoms. I fell into a cycle of severe depression and anxiety. đ˘
Eventually my therapist referred me to an OB/GYN & Psychiatrist with suspected PMDD. I was prescribed all sorts of medication. Nothing worked.
đĽThe hopelessness was crushing. I didnât want to continue living if why whole life was going to be this painful.
đŚ I tried all sorts of lifestyle changes and random vitamins to no avail. I finally came across a Registered Dietician in the US who specialized in depression & PMDD.
She took one look at my bloodwork and pinpointed some severe mineral and vitamin deficiencies, blood sugar dysregulation and near adrenal exhaustion. This is where I first learned that "normal" blood test results don't mean "optimal". You can still be very ill and have totally "normal" blood results! đ¤Ż
After implementing strategic changes to my diet, lifestyle and supplement routine, I slowly began to experience relief from the crippling depression and anxiety. đ¸
After less than a year of implementing sustainable lifestyle changes, I was 99% symptom free! (bearing in mind PMDD is a chronic condition and canât be cured, depression caused by other factors can certainly resolve much quicker and more permanently!) â¨
Throughout my own struggles, I realized my passion for holistic health. I'm forever fascinated with the body's resilience, the power of food & herbal medicine.Â
đ§ Root Cause #1: Brain Chemical Imbalances
Brain chemicals are sensitive, and nutrient deficiencies can significantly impact the delicate balance of brain chemicals, ultimately contributing to the onset or exacerbation of depression.
Essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B6, B12, and folate play crucial roles in neurotransmitter synthesis and regulation.
For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are vital for maintaining the integrity of cell membranes in the brain and facilitating the transmission of neurotransmitters (those feel-good happy hormones!).
Meanwhile, B vitamins are essential cofactors in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are key players in mood regulation.
Deficiencies in these nutrients can disrupt neurotransmitter production and function, leading to chemical imbalances that contribute to depressive symptoms.
Therefore, ensuring adequate intake of these nutrients through a balanced diet or supplementation may help support optimal brain function and alleviate symptoms of depression.
Iâve spent more hours than I care to count doing all the geeky certifications & research so you donât have to!
You donât have to figure it out alone. Thatâll take too long.
đđI specialize in assessing nutrient status & guiding women back to health using a PERSONALIZED approach, because youâre unique and your treatment plan should reflect that!
Skip the struggle busâŚyouâve suffered long enough!
I know how hard it is to reach out for help. It took me years to reach out.
âYou feel like you SHOULD know how to figure this out.
âYou havenât tried hard enough.
âYou need to try ONE more thing on your own.
âYouâre convinced everyone will think youâre a failure.
âYouâre terrified of being âmedicatedâ.
âYou donât feel worthy of help.
Â
Iâve been there. I knowđŤ
I suffered for years because of all that. It nearly took my life.
It doesnât get any better on itâs own.
Dear suffering soul, please donât wait â¤ď¸âđŠš
đŠRoot Cause #2: Gut Health
Emerging research suggests a profound connection between gut health and brain chemistry, with implications for depression.
The gut contains a complex ecosystem of bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including the production of neurotransmitters.
Serotonin, often referred to as the "happiness hormone," is primarily synthesized in the gut, where the majority of the body's serotonin receptors are also located.
Disruptions in the balance of gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, can lead to alterations in serotonin production and signaling, contributing to mood disorders like depression.
đđMaintaining a healthy gut ecosystem through food choices, nutrients (vitamins) & probiotics (where necessary) can be lifechanging to alleviate symptoms of depression.
This is complex stuffâŚyou donât have to figure it out alone!
đĽRoot Cause #3: Nutrient Deficiencies
Youâll notice that Nutrients came into every single other one so farâŚbasically nutrients affect EVERY bodily system.
Enough said.đ
đđ Again, I specialize in assessing nutrient status & guiding women back to health using a PERSONALIZED approach, because youâre unique and your treatment plan should reflect that!
đ§ŹRoot Cause #4: Hormone Imbalances
Reproductive hormone imbalances have significant influence on brain chemistry, contributing to depression.
Estrogen, for example, enhances the activity of serotonin, a neurotransmitter implicated in mood regulation, while progesterone can modulate the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has calming effects on the brain.
Fluctuations in these hormones, such as those experienced during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, or relationships & stress can disrupt neurotransmitter balance, leading to symptoms of depression.
Hormonal changes can influence other physiological processes, including stress response and inflammation, further contributing to mood disturbances.
đđ This stuff is freaking complex. I donât recommend anyone tackling hormones alone. Trust me, I tried. It was a disaster.
Endless hours of holistic training later, I LOVE helping women heal their hormones and feel amazing!