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
How Gut Inflammation Causes Anxiety
The Truth About Estrogen and Women’s Health
Depression: The 5 Biotypes
What is PCOS and How to Reverse It
Ashwagandha: Herbal Remedy with Dangerous Repercussions
Suicide Awareness: What’s killing our daughters?
Depression, Anxiety and Copper Toxicity
Postpartum Depression and Copper Toxicity
The Role of Oxidative Stress in Mental Health Disorders
Bipolar Disorder: Underlying Causes and Dietary Tips
15 Lessons Learned From World Leaders in Brain Health
Can Multivitamins Cause More Harm Than Good?
What is Breast Implant Illness?
Counterfeit Supplements, Amazon and Your Health

Depression & Anxiety Podcast Episodes
EP 55: What Your Doctor May Not Know About Thyroid Function With Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP
EP 53: How To Optimize Hormone Therapy With Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP
EP 52: What Is The Main Cause of PCOS? with Dr. Felice Gersh
EP 49: Mold and Biotoxin Illness with Dr. Lauren Tessier
EP 45: Estrogen Myths, Perimenopause, and Menopause with Dr. Felice Gersh
EP 42: My Personal Healing Journey
Bonus Replay: The Gut-Brain Connection with Kiran Krishnan
EP 40: Breast Implant Illness Facts with Danielle Valoras, Part 2
EP 39: Breast Implant Illness Facts with Danielle Valoras, Part 1
EP 32: Post-Concussion Syndrome Healing and Recovery with Dr. Titus Chiu
EP 23: Stress Intolerance and Pyrrole Disorder with Dr. Judith Bowman
EP 16: High Functioning Anxiety and the Practice of Self-Kindness and Joy with Nancy Jane Smith
EP 13: Suicide Prevention Case Study: How Nutrients Can Heal the Brain - Part 2
EP 12: Suicide Prevention Case Study: How Nutrients Can Heal the Brain – Part 1
EP 09: How Trauma Deceives Us Into Making Agreements with Jean Masukevich
EP 08: The Biochemistry of Narcissism, Sociopathy, and Psychopathy with Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, BCIP
EP 06: Why Engaging Your Story Sets You On A Path To Healing with Jean Masukevich
EP 05: Trauma and Triggers as an Invitation to Deeper Healing with Jean Masukevich
EP 04: COVID-19 Depression, Anxiety, and Immunity with Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, BCIP
EP 02: How Nutrient Deficiencies and Overloads Impact the Brain and Body
EP 01: The Power of Nutrients: How What You Eat Impacts the Way You Think, Feel, and Act
“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.