helping you with...
DEPRESSION
Tired of battling depression. Start enjoying life again.
Your functional roadmap to overcome depression
Effective Solutions to Overcoming Depression
It’s normal to feel sad, moody or low, but when these feelings continue and negatively impact your life, it’s time to seek help. Affecting 1 in 7 Australians, depression is common but can become a serious medical condition.
Finding the right approach and practitioner is essential to getting the right treatment.
Book a call to discuss whether my services are suitable for you.
Antidepressants
Why choose functional wellness for depression?
Symptom-relief is provided while working on the deeper issues.
Finding underlying, root causes
What are Neurotransmitters?
There’s no one size fits all approach
Until recently, depression was thought to be caused by a chemical (neurotransmitter) imbalance. New research suggests a myriad of other factors can also be involved and all body systems can play a part. That’s why two people can experience depression, and react to treatments, so differently.
You are unique. There is no one size fits all treatment. Using a whole-body approach gives better outcomes.
Did you know...
…that SSRI antidepressants don’t make serotonin. They just stop any serotonin you already have from leaving nerve cells so more serotonin is left in the brain. So if you aren’t making enough serotonin SSRI’s may not work effectively.
And if your depression isn’t caused by low serotonin then the SSRI antidepressants may have little or no effect.
How I help
I investigate and address these drivers of depression.
Biochemical Imbalances
Genetics, Methylation, MTHFR, COMT, Histamine
An essential biochemical process involved in serotonin, dopamine and histamine production. Methylation also supports detoxification, inflammation, hormones, energy production and nitric oxide all essential body processes that if impaired can impact mood.
Genetic issues (e.g. MTHFR, COMT) affecting methylation are common. Using precision nutrient and amino acid therapy we can optimise methylation to regulate mood. As a skilled methylation practitioner, I prescribe the right forms, combination, dose and timing of nutrients to safely support your recovery.
Genetic and functional testing can help assess risk factors for mental health and anxiety. I provide specialist genetic analysis and detailed reports for personalised treatment.
Pyrrole disorder is linked more to anxiety, but as depression and anxiety often co-exist, I will test for pyrroles if indicated.
Inflammation
Clinical Nutrition and Diet
Diet and nutrition directly impact your brain and gut (second brain). Nutritional deficiencies (low intake or poor gut absorption) can reduce production or function of neurotransmitters.
Some people are affected by foods high in:
sugar, gluten, dairy, histamine, glutamates, oxalates, sulfites, preservatives, fodmaps, inflammatory foods. Chronic inflammation is associated with depression.
Nutritional and diet interventions are designed to reduce food reactions, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and provide cofactor nutrients and amino acids for neurotransmitters, methylation and mood regulation.
Trauma and Chronic Stress
Trauma and chronic stress produce constant nervous system activation (fight, flight or freeze) affecting sleep, energy and mood with the release of excess adrenaline and cortisol. This leads to overwhelm, exhaustion and low neurotransmitter production or release resulting in depression.
Disordered breathing, sleep apnea and shallow breathing reduce the amount of oxygen going to the brain. This can lead to hypoxia, brain fog and inflammation, mood changes including depression.
Toxins
Gut Health
The Gut-Brain Axis (via vagus nerve) is a 2-way communication pathway: the brain affects gut – gut affects the brain. Treating SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), dysbiosis (bacteria imbalance), parasites, food allergies and leaky gut, improves mood and in some cases completely resolves depression.
Depression slows gut motility leading to constipation and other symptoms, further affecting brain health.
Our gut produces 90% of all our serotonin supporting a healthy mood. Our bacteria help produce serotonin and other neurotransmitters and important nutrients, while some steal vital cofactor nutrients so there’s less for us to use. As you can see, gut health is intrinsically linked to brain health.
Hormones
Balancing hormones is essential for good mental and emotional health.
An overactive thyroid can cause mania or anxiety; a sluggish or underactive thyroid depression. Low or imbalanced estrogen affects serotonin, our focus and drive impacting mood; low progesterone (our calming hormone) can cause PMT, higher anxiety and sleep issues.
The brain is fueled primarily by glucose, so poor glucose control can reduce brain energy and it’s function, causing issues with concentration, memory, focus and mood. About 25% of diabetics also have depression. Crashes in energy from low blood sugar can cause mood disturbances.
High prolactin (produces breast milk) reduces dopamine and lowers progesterone. These hormonal changes can play a role in post-natal mood issues in breastfeeding mums.
Oxytocin helps us feel good and is depleted by high stress, social isolation (pandemic, screen use, social anxiety), low mood, lack of sunlight and exercise, and found to be lower in autism.