Nutrition Therapy for Depression & Anxiety

How Does Nutrition Affect Depression?

When most people hear the word “depression” it is often correlated with a heavy, continually sad, and shameful label. If an individual is receiving help, it is usually treatment by a doctor with antidepressant medications.

What everyone needs to know is that depression is actually a symptom of an underlying imbalance. Many times, antidepressants do more harm than good. Think of the last drug commercial you heard. Oftentimes, the disclaimers are lengthy and discuss how taking the medication could actually make symptoms worse. The black box suicide warning required on these medications is a good example.

Depression can have many causes, such as trauma or a tough season or tragedy. However, not often addressed in the care of a depressed patient are nutrient deficiencies and overloads, such as too much copper or too little zinc. Even a fancy word called “methylation” can cause significant imbalances. Last but not least, little “shamers” called pyrroles that play an integral role as well. By the way, I’ve written five books on these little-known underlying causes located here. Inside you will find some of the best foods for depression

These imbalances and overloads, which nutrient therapy can fix, deplete your brain by lowering all the good stuff, and altering your neurotransmitters and hormones’ natural abilities.

How Does Nutrition Affect Anxiety?

We all experience anxiety from time to time. This is normal! All humans will find themselves in situations that remind us that we do not have superpowers. I do wish I was Wonder Woman though!

However, anxiety can be so extreme and consistent that for many, it falls in the category of “disorder.” When this kind of state becomes the new “normal” for an individual, we know there is a significant problem often with a nutritional imbalance causing this anxiety. 

As a result, I look for the true biochemical imbalances that create all the tough mental and physical symptoms which include racing thoughts, extreme fears, insomnia, and even tummy trouble. Anxiety can have many causes, including zinc and vitamin B6 deficiencies, elevated copper levels, and over and undermethylation.

Depression & Anxiety Articles

How Vitamins Help With Depression and Anxiety
Depression/Anxiety

How Vitamins Help With Depression and Anxiety

Is there such a thing as a “natural” antidepressant? Can vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients calm the often h...
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How Gut Inflammation Causes Anxiety
Gut Inflammation

How Gut Inflammation Causes Anxiety

Can gut inflammation cause anxiety? Can the health of your gut microbiome really impact you on such a profound level?...
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The Truth About Estrogen and Women’s Health
Depression/Anxiety

The Truth About Estrogen and Women’s Health

Since the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study first came out in 2002, estrogen has gotten a bad rap and created a...
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Depression: The 5 Biotypes
Depression/Anxiety

Depression: The 5 Biotypes

Born with epigenetic disorders, I struggled with depression for most of my life. Over the years I’ve tried a varie...
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What is PCOS and How to Reverse It
Autoimmunity

What is PCOS and How to Reverse It

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, is the most common endocrine disorder in...
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Ashwagandha: Herbal Remedy with Dangerous Repercussions
Depression/Anxiety

Ashwagandha: Herbal Remedy with Dangerous Repercussions

Ashwagandha is a powerful herb. In this week’s post, I share the hidden dangers of this adaptogenic herb. What i...
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Suicide Awareness: What’s killing our daughters?
Depression/Anxiety

Suicide Awareness: What’s killing our daughters?

Do you have a daughter? A granddaughter? Are you a woman? Has suicide impacted your life in any way? What’s killing...
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Depression, Anxiety and Copper Toxicity
Depression/Anxiety

Depression, Anxiety and Copper Toxicity

Depression. Anxiety. Copper Toxicity. Conditions we don’t like to talk about. Conditions that are attached to a lot ...
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Postpartum Depression and Copper Toxicity
Copper Overload

Postpartum Depression and Copper Toxicity

Every week I tell my patients "you’re not crazy, it’s not your fault, it’s copper toxicity that’s to blame." B...
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The Role of Oxidative Stress in Mental Health Disorders
Methylation

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Mental Health Disorders

A recent study from an international team of researchers in Granada (UGR) shows that depression is more than a mental ...
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Bipolar Disorder: Underlying Causes and Dietary Tips
Depression/Anxiety

Bipolar Disorder: Underlying Causes and Dietary Tips

March 30th is World Bipolar Disorder Day. Bipolar disorder affects nearly 6 million Americans. Unfortunately, the unde...
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15 Lessons Learned From World Leaders in Brain Health
Methylation

15 Lessons Learned From World Leaders in Brain Health

Here are my 15 Lessons Learned From World Leaders in Brain Health. Recently I was in Chicago attending Walsh Research...
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Can Multivitamins Cause More Harm Than Good?
Depression/Anxiety

Can Multivitamins Cause More Harm Than Good?

Everywhere we look, we see doctors, nutritionists, health coaches, and even your “healthy” neighbors touting the ...
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What is Breast Implant Illness?
Autoimmunity

What is Breast Implant Illness?

Can breast implants cause health problems? How common is breast implant illness and what are the symptoms associated ...
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Counterfeit Supplements, Amazon and Your Health
Depression/Anxiety

Counterfeit Supplements, Amazon and Your Health

Buying supplements on Amazon is fast and easy. Who doesn’t want same or next day delivery? But the dark side of buy...
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Depression & Anxiety Podcast Episodes

EP 55: What Your Doctor May Not Know About Thyroid Function With Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP
Podcast

EP 55: What Your Doctor May Not Know About Thyroid Function With Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, an estimated 27 million Americans have thyroid di...
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EP 53: How To Optimize Hormone Therapy With Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP
Podcast

EP 53: How To Optimize Hormone Therapy With Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP

Many people are confused about how to balance hormones and are overwhelmed by all the misinformation about bioidentic...
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EP 52: What Is The Main Cause of PCOS? with Dr. Felice Gersh
Podcast

EP 52: What Is The Main Cause of PCOS? with Dr. Felice Gersh

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women.  And all too often, women ar...
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EP 49: Mold and Biotoxin Illness with Dr. Lauren Tessier
Podcast

EP 49: Mold and Biotoxin Illness with Dr. Lauren Tessier

If you’re struggling with constant brain fog and fatigue despite lifestyle and dietary changes, biotoxin illness du...
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EP 45: Estrogen Myths, Perimenopause, and Menopause with Dr. Felice Gersh
Podcast

EP 45: Estrogen Myths, Perimenopause, and Menopause with Dr. Felice Gersh

There is so much misinformation out there about hormones and women’s health, especially estrogen. So I’m excit...
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EP 42: My Personal Healing Journey
Podcast

EP 42: My Personal Healing Journey

2021 was quite the year, but we made it to 2022! To kick off the new year, my producer, Sean McMullin is flipping ...
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Bonus Replay: The Gut-Brain Connection with Kiran Krishnan
Podcast

Bonus Replay: The Gut-Brain Connection with Kiran Krishnan

For December, I’m sharing a couple of my favorite episodes while we take a little break to spend time with friends ...
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EP 40: Breast Implant Illness Facts with Danielle Valoras, Part 2
Podcast

EP 40: Breast Implant Illness Facts with Danielle Valoras, Part 2

In part two of our discussion, Danielle Valoras returns to dig into the science behind breast implants, why they caus...
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EP 39: Breast Implant Illness Facts with Danielle Valoras, Part 1
Podcast

EP 39: Breast Implant Illness Facts with Danielle Valoras, Part 1

If you have breast implants and are experiencing symptoms, please hear me. You are not crazy. It's not all in your he...
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EP 32: Post-Concussion Syndrome Healing and Recovery with Dr. Titus Chiu
Podcast

EP 32: Post-Concussion Syndrome Healing and Recovery with Dr. Titus Chiu

When you think of a concussion, do you picture a football player passed out on the field or someone who hit their hea...
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EP 23: Stress Intolerance and Pyrrole Disorder with Dr. Judith Bowman
Podcast

EP 23: Stress Intolerance and Pyrrole Disorder with Dr. Judith Bowman

Today, I brought Dr. Judith Bowman back on the show to talk about a little-known stress intolerant disorder that your...
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EP 16: High Functioning Anxiety and the Practice of Self-Kindness and Joy with Nancy Jane Smith
Podcast

EP 16: High Functioning Anxiety and the Practice of Self-Kindness and Joy with Nancy Jane Smith

Be a boss. Hustle hard. Love yourself. Make it happen.  You decide the outcome. Do these phrases ...
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EP 13: Suicide Prevention Case Study: How Nutrients Can Heal the Brain - Part 2
Podcast

EP 13: Suicide Prevention Case Study: How Nutrients Can Heal the Brain - Part 2

It’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and I am continuing this month’s special two-part series with li...
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EP 12: Suicide Prevention Case Study: How Nutrients Can Heal the Brain – Part 1
Podcast

EP 12: Suicide Prevention Case Study: How Nutrients Can Heal the Brain – Part 1

It’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In this month’s special two-part series, I’m sharing Sara...
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EP 09: How Trauma Deceives Us Into Making Agreements with Jean Masukevich
Podcast

EP 09: How Trauma Deceives Us Into Making Agreements with Jean Masukevich

Trauma is insidious—it reaches into the core of our beings and it covertly impacts our everyday lives. In today...
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EP 08: The Biochemistry of Narcissism, Sociopathy, and Psychopathy with Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, BCIP
Podcast

EP 08: The Biochemistry of Narcissism, Sociopathy, and Psychopathy with Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, BCIP

More and more, we are seeing headlines exposing the narcissistic and criminal behavior of several high profile predat...
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EP 06: Why Engaging Your Story Sets You On A Path To Healing with Jean Masukevich
Podcast

EP 06: Why Engaging Your Story Sets You On A Path To Healing with Jean Masukevich

Do you know you have a powerful story? And that engaging your story brings healing by connecting neural networks in t...
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EP 05: Trauma and Triggers as an Invitation to Deeper Healing with Jean Masukevich
Podcast

EP 05: Trauma and Triggers as an Invitation to Deeper Healing with Jean Masukevich

As we continue to move through coronavirus and civil unrest, our collective trauma is at an all-time high. The potent...
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EP 04: COVID-19 Depression, Anxiety, and Immunity with Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, BCIP
Podcast

EP 04: COVID-19 Depression, Anxiety, and Immunity with Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, BCIP

In honor of mental health awareness month, and in these challenging times, I feel it's important to provide you with ...
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EP 02: How Nutrient Deficiencies and Overloads Impact the Brain and Body
Podcast

EP 02: How Nutrient Deficiencies and Overloads Impact the Brain and Body

One month in, my client Amanda told me: “I had no idea my anxiety, racing thoughts, and fatigue were due to being s...
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EP 01: The Power of Nutrients: How What You Eat Impacts the Way You Think, Feel, and Act
Podcast

EP 01: The Power of Nutrients: How What You Eat Impacts the Way You Think, Feel, and Act

Nine months ago, Michelle was at an all-time low. She was scared, isolated, and felt hopeless about her future. Mi...
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“I know 5 stars is the highest rating but it just doesn’t seem like enough for Sami! Truly! She has helped me through a very hard season of life and I am forever grateful. When I started working with Sami I was struggling with postpartum depression and feeling like I was physically and mentally on a downward spiral that I desperately wanted out of but nothing I was doing was helping (and I was doing A LOT and trying SO hard in regards to my health, trying to eat right and take great supplements).

I tried every elimination diet and spent hundreds of dollars on supplements that I thought would help me feel better. Sami was very compassionate and gentle in our initial conversation and after doing some testing she was able to determine some very severe imbalances in my chemistry and identified my nutrient deficiencies. Sami made me a plan to follow and made it so easy to know what to eat and told me exactly what supplements I should be taking. Having her to guide me took so much stress off of me and that alone was incredibly helpful.

I am feeling SO SO much better and I could absolutely not have gotten to where I am today without Sami. She is a wealth of knowledge and has a deep understanding of how a persons individual chemistry affects their health and how to correct these imbalances. She has brought amazing clarity to an area of my life that has felt impossible to ‘get to the bottom of’. I am on an upward spiral now and feel like I am on a totally different path because of the work I have done and will continue to do with Sami. Words cannot accurately express my gratitude and I very highly recommend her.”

SHANE H.

Schedule a Free One-on-One Consultation

If you’re ready to start your healing journey, schedule your free one-on-one consultation to discuss your current mental and/or physical health challenges, history, and desired health goals. Take the first step on your healing journey today.

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