Chronic inflammation is implicated in nearly all chronic diseases including mental health. Food and stealth infections are primary causes of chronic inflammation and, coupled with poor nutrient and antioxidant status, can manifest as chronic anxiety or depression.

While conventional wisdom is correct in that the liver knows exactly what to do, it was not designed to process our current level of environmental toxins.  The liver utilizes specific nutrients to convert hazardous toxins into harmless substances for elimination. High toxic burdens coupled with poor nutrition can overwhelm the liver's capacity to neutralize and eliminate environmental & metabolic toxins.

When most people think about nutrition, they primarily focus on protein, carbohydrates and fats but vitamins and minerals play a vital role in converting those macronutrients into energy as well as supporting biochemical and neurotransmitter pathways.

There are many lifestyle factors, nutrients and imbalances that impact endocrine health.  And much like tugging on one strand of a spider web affects the whole web, upsets in one part your hormone system can affect multiple systems in the body and vice versa.  Sleep, stress, food, toxins, gut health can affect hormones, which in turn, impact sleep, memory, brain fog, mood, and energy.

Heavy metals and environmental toxins can mimic mental health disorders. A few ways they do this is by displacing or competing with nutrients, hormones and neurotransmitters or by poor detox/elimination mechanisms in the body.

Did you know that the gut is referred to as the second brain? Biochemically, the brain and gut are influenced by many of the same nutrients & neurotransmitters so altering the gut environment can impact the brain and vice versa.

Dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria), impaired absorption, food sensitivities, reflux, and stealth infections are but a few of the gut issues that can negatively impact mental health.

The brain is not anchored inside the skull and while helmets protect the skull, they do not prevent the brain from ricocheting inside your skull.

Even minor concussions can lead to neuro-inflammation and have many downstream effects.  Despite getting a clean bill of health from a medical evaluation, never losing consciousness, or always wearing a helmet, you may still be susceptible to the effects of neuro-inflammation. 

Learn how to protect your brain if you engage in high-risk activities, sports, or occupations.

Epigenetics is the influence of the environment on your genes.  Your genes are turned on and off by many environmental factors including stress, nutrition, pollution, microbes, sleep, and exercise.  While you can't choose your genes, you can choose many environmental factors that impact your genes.

You may also have genetic predispositions that dictate the form or amount of nutrients that support your optimal mental health.

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