Biochemical Imbalances and Their Impact on Anxiety: Exploring Methylation, Copper, Zinc Deficiency, and Pyrrole Disorder

Nighttime urination is a common problem across all age groups. It affects men, women, and children. If you find yourself waking up around 3 a.m. or if you have nightly bathroom trips that seem to occur like clockwork every 90 minutes, then this episode is for you. Today I am talking about two overlooked underlying causes of nighttime urination: gut inflammation and breathing problems (specifically sleep apnea).

In this episode you will learn:

• Nighttime urination is common and can be caused by various health issues, but often overlooked causes include gut inflammation and breathing problems
• Gut inflammation can be caused by an overgrowth of inflammatory microorganisms, affecting the microbiome and leading to health problems such as breathing issues
• Sleep apnea can cause nighttime urination as it creates a vacuum in the chest cavity, leading to more urine production
• H. pylori infection can cause a range of symptoms, including acid reflux, which can lead to obstructed breathing and consequently, nighttime urination
• Treating root causes like H. pylori infection and addressing lifestyle factors, such as diet and sleep habits, can help alleviate nighttime urination
  
  Click here for the full episode transcript and research links.

Despite the widespread legalization and acceptance of marijuana, there are significant mental health risks associated with its use. Particularly concerning is the rise in marijuana use among young people, potentially harming the developing brain and increasing the risk of schizophrenia. Adults are not exempt, with links found between marijuana use and depression, social anxiety, and even long-lasting mental disorders, including schizophrenia.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Marijuana use, especially among youth, is linked to significant mental health issues, including schizophrenia and depression
• The marketing and normalization of marijuana often mislead people into thinking it is safe, which has led to increased use, especially among young people
• The history of marijuana use has troubling roots in occult practices and is often a gateway to more potent drugs and harmful lifestyles
• Individual responses to marijuana can be influenced by genetic factors, which can lead to adverse effects even in occasional users
• Despite the arguments for legalization, the negative impacts of marijuana on mental health have only increased since its legalization
  
  Click here for the full transcript and research links.

Today I’m talking about how medications can create imbalances in the body that may be causing you a lot of anxiety and panic attacks. These are common medications many people take daily such as statins, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and birth control.

For this episode, I will be focusing on antidepressants and birth control, two common medications that are known to have anxiety as a side-effect.

In this episode, I discuss:

• How birth control and antidepressants can alter the gut microbiome, causing issues like leaky gut, killing good bacteria, and causing yeast infections
• Antidepressants lack sufficient safety studies and can increase the risk of chronic anxiety and functional impairment
• A 2019 study revealed that serotonin reuptake inhibitors can have antimicrobial effects on the gut microbiome
• Birth control disrupts the gut microbiome, depletes key nutrients, and can lead to anxiety and panic attacks
• The suppression of natural hormones with synthetic ones in birth control often leads to anxiety and depression in women
• A case study of my client Sara who, through a holistic approach to healing, was able to overcome severe PMDD, anxiety, and depression
• Get a second opinion if you feel your concerns are not being heard, thoroughly research any new medications before taking them, and consider lifestyles changes to avoid them

Click here for the full transcript and research links.

In the second episode of my anxiety series, I’m talking about the biochemical imbalances I treat in my clinic that have a tremendous impact on anxiety. Understanding your unique biochemistry, meaning the nutrient imbalances and overloads within your body, is a powerful pathway to healing.

In this episode, I discuss:

• The impact of biochemical imbalances on anxiety
• How your brain is a chemical factory that requires certain nutrients to function optimally
• Methylation is a process that affects neurotransmitter activity and development, and imbalances can lead to anxiety
• Undermethylation and overmethylation are two variables of unbalanced methylation (too few or too many methyl groups)
• Copper toxicity affects mental health by lowering dopamine and increasing norepinephrine in the brain
• Zinc deficiency is linked to low neurotransmitter function, which can cause chronic anxiety
• Pyrrole disorder is a mood and stress disorder that results in deficiency of zinc and vitamin B6 that can cause high anxiety

Click here for the full transcript and episode links.

Hello everyone, and happy new year! After taking some time off to move my offices, I am officially back. 

I’m thrilled to support you with more great content this year. I’d love to hear from you if you have a specific topic you’d like me to focus on. You can email us at info@eatfor.life with your thoughts.

In my clinic, I treat several conditions, including but not limited to autoimmune diseases, OCD, ADHD, autism, and depression. However, the one that stands out as the biggest struggle for many people is anxiety. Therefore, for the next several episodes, I am going to delve deep into the underlying causes and drug-free treatment options to help you overcome this often debilitating condition.

In this episode, I discuss:

• The bi-directional connection between the gut and brain, and how an underdeveloped connection can cause anxiety
• The role stress hormones play in promoting the growth of pathogenic gut bacteria
• The benefits of GABA supplementation during stressful conditions
• The need to address the root lifestyle causes of dysbiosis in the gut microbiome rather than just treating the symptoms
• The importance of diet in managing anxiety
• How excessive exercise can increase anxiety

Click here for the full transcript and research links.

The very mention of parasites can often send shivers down one's spine. However, the truth is that we all have them and they are an essential part of our internal ecosystem. It is only when our microbial terrain becomes unbalanced, due to a wide variety of factors, that they can become problematic.

Parasites are highly intelligent organisms with complex skill sets that are far more advanced than previously believed. Parasitic infections are not limited to underdeveloped countries with poor access to clean water and hygiene products. Even developed countries like the United States also have high rates of parasitic infections. However, because parasites can cause a wide variety of symptoms, many people do not realize that their symptoms may be linked to these infections.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The definition of a parasite and the different types
• The various ways in which a person may be infected by a parasite
• Common symptoms associated with a parasite infection, including those related to mental health
• The importance of liver health and drainage pathways in treating chronic parasite infections
• The impact of hormones and neurotransmitters on parasite activity
• The order in which to address parasite infections to achieve success without medication
• The importance of a safe environment, non-toxic food, and mental health in parasite treatment
• The inadequacy of medication in treating chronic parasite infections

Click here for the episode transcript and links.

Did you know that 80% of light pollution occurs at night, and over 35% of people experience sleep issues? Understanding the role that darkness deficiency and melatonin play in health and wellness is critically important.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Catherine Darley, a naturopathic physician as well as the founder and director of the Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine in Seattle, Washington, which is dedicated to patient care, public education about sleep health, and consultation with high-risk populations, such as first responders.

Dr. Darley is a leader in natural sleep medicine, combining her knowledge of sleep disorders with her training as a naturopathic physician to bridge these fields. Dr. Darley regularly writes articles and trains healthcare providers in the treatment of sleep disorders. She also co-authored the research study “Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”? A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements," published last year in the journal Nutrients.

Find out how to combat the ubiquitous darkness deficiency of the digital age, and restore balance to your hormones.

Click here for the transcript and important links.

If you're struggling to lose weight despite counting calories, eating a healthy diet, and regular exercise, please know that I understand your frustration. Before I understood the reasons why my body would not release the excess weight I was carrying, I fell victim to starvation diets and excessive exercise, in an effort to force my body into submission.

The result was a very depressed, anxious, suicidal, and extremely nutrient-deficient person with lots of digestive problems. But hey, I was a size two, so none of that mattered, right?

Well, in truth, the body can only keep this up for so long before crashing and burning, which leads to more weight gain in the long run, a cycle I would continue for many years. What I didn't know at the time was the role inflammation plays in the body's inability to let go of excess weight. I had no idea that biochemistry and stress were major roadblocks to my body's inability to maintain metabolic homeostasis.

So today, I'm speaking with Reid Davis, a board-certified holistic health practitioner and certified nutritional therapist. Reid is the founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition and the FDN certification course with over 3,000 graduates in 50 countries

In this episode, we discuss:

• What metabolic chaos is and how it relates to weight loss and inflammation.
• Reed’s H.I.D.D.E.N. pattern he has recognized in his work.
• Reed’s D.R.E.S.S. formula for lifestyle change and healing.
• How chronic inflammation is linked to various health issues and the importance of testing for inflammation markers.
• The role of the gut microbiome in inflammation and the importance of addressing dysbiosis for weight loss.
• The importance of individualized approaches to health and the limitations of one-size-fits-all diets and protocols.

Click here to read the full transcript and get episode links.

Did you know that your teeth are living organs, just like your heart, liver, and thyroid gland? According to Dr. Dawn Ewing, executive director of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, your teeth can provide important clues about underlying infections and overall body health.

On Today's show, Dr. Ewing and I discuss how traditional dentistry often fails to connect the teeth to the rest of the body. When it comes to root canals and other procedures, this disconnect can cause serious problems. Dr. Ewing's journey into biological dentistry began after she witnessed firsthand the transformative effects of simple dental clean outs and extractions. She found that root canals, which create “taxidermied teeth,” can cause chronic low-grade infections and urges listeners to seek out practitioners who think outside their narrow area of expertise.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The importance of a holistic approach to understanding teeth as living organs.
• How traditional dentistry fails to connect the teeth to the entire body.
• Dr. Ewing’s journey from dental hygiene to naturopathic medicine and biological dentistry.
• The drawbacks of root canals, and why it's crucial to consider a patient's overall health before embarking on any dental procedures.
• The significance of taking care of one's oral microbiome.
• The role of meridians, and how certain teeth are connected to specific organs.

Click here to read the full transcript and links.

In May of 2022 there was a shortage of commercial baby formula here in the United States. I’ve always been very concerned about the toxicity of baby formula with it’s questionable ingredients that contribute to lack of development and thriving in babies, so today I’m excited to discuss why these formulas are so problematic and what actually led to the shortage, with Weston A. Price Foundation president, Sally Fallon Morell.

We also talk about why breast milk is best and what mother’s can do if they aren’t able to produce their own milk, as well as the best way to wean your baby.

Sally Fallon Morell is founding president of The Weston A. Price Foundation, a non-profit nutrition education foundation dedicated to returning nutrient-dense food to American tables, and editor of the Foundation’s quarterly journal.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why baby formula powders are never sterile
• Why breastfeeding and homemade formulas are best
• The need for lactose to support neurological development
• Hidden health concerns and issues with soy-based formulas and why iron should never be added
• Industrial seed oils and how they inhibit hormone and enzyme production
• The need for cholesterol to aid and support hormones and neurotransmitters

Click here read the full transcript along with links to formula kits, books, and research.