littleruben
06-17-09, 10:50 AM
let me know if you want the info on the other 3 Ntransmitters - enjoy :)
Much has been written about the mind-body connection. We all know that our emotions and thoughts can effect how our bodies function. Depression can suppress the immune system, anxiety disrupts digestion and anger has an adverse effect on liver function. This connection; however, works both ways – not only do our emotions affect our physical health, but our nutritional status and toxicity levels effect our moods, behavior and emotions.
More and more research is pointing to how nutrient deficiencies and toxicity effect our brain chemistry and how imbalances in our brain’s neurotransmitters (brain chemicals made from amino acids) affect everything from our behavior, ability to concentrate, memory and even organ function.
Research has shown that brain neurotransmitter deficiencies contribute to hundreds of health problems which fall into four categories: physical symptoms (pain, blood sugar problems, immune and digestive dysfunction, etc), personality issues (anger, depression, anxiety, etc.), memory issues and attention issues. I will go over the specific health problems for each neurotransmitter deficiency later in this newsletter.
The Four Aspects of Brain Health
People usually don’t start thinking about the health of their brain until they notice theirs isn’t functioning as well as it used to. It may start by you having trouble remembering names, phone numbers or addresses. Maybe you can’t concentrate as well on the task at hand as you did in the past. You may also notice that you are having more sleep disorders or are feeling depressed more often. These are signs that something may be off in your brain chemistry.
The brain is the greatest generator of electricity in the human body. The brain sends electric currents throughout the entire body through brain chemicals called neurotransmitters which then send energy and information to the rest of your cells, glands and organs. It’s really amazing how perfectly designed the body is when you look closely – the only problem comes when we poison the cells of the body and starve the body of nutrients necessary to fuel cellular regeneration. There are a growing number of toxins that are entering our environment which destroy your brain and nervous system’s cells. These toxins are called excito-toxins which literally stimulate your neurons to death. Toxic chemicals such as MSG, nutra-sweet (aka as aspartame), hydrolyzed protein are now saturating our dietary landscape. Many of us put toxic chemicals on our hair and face which get into our brains and effect the production and function of neurotransmitters. For those of you who have come to my class on detoxification you know how commercial hair, skin and beauty care products are often loaded with toxic chemicals and metals including: lead, aluminum and mercury. All these toxins get into the body and poison the cells. My motto is that if you wouldn’t eat the product don’t put it on your hair, face or skin.
Attention deficit disorder is now one of the fastest growing diseases in our society and it can be traced to these toxins and nutrient deficiencies as well as a disconnected life from nature and spirit.
According to Dr. Eric Braverman, a leading clinician and researcher in the field of mind-brain-body medicine, brain health has four main aspects:
* memory
* attention
* personality and temperament
* physical health
The brain’s four primary neurotransmitters: dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serontonin each affect these four areas of brain health in different ways. For example, one measure for memory and attention is the speed at which the brain processes information. All four neurotransmitters affect speed; however, acetylcholine is most important for brain speed. A normal brain processes a thought in about 320 milliseconds (1/3 of a second). By the time our thinking is slowed down to four hundred milliseconds to process a thought we can no longer process logical thoughts. The average person loses 7-10 milliseconds of brain speed every decade starting at the age of 40. Numerous learning disabilities, neuro-psychiatric problems and other seemingly unrelated health problems are set in motion with slower brain speed. Remember this is just one of hundreds of health issues related to brain chemistry.
The question you may be asking yourself is that if brain speed is a result of neurotransmitter production – what are neurotransmitters made of? Each neurotransmitter is made of different building blocks called amino acids. I will review the specific nutrients and foods that boost each neurotransmitter later.
The Brain’s Four Primary Neurotransmitters
The brain is able to coordinate your movements, control your heart rate and breathing, and allow you to feel hunger, pain, happiness, sadness and all other emotions through the electrical charges which travel throughout your body. This electricity needs a path to travel on through the body. This path is made up of the cells of the central nervous system (which includes the brain and spinal cord) called neurons. Each of us is born with approximately 100 billion neurons which are continually dying and being created every second. Electrical impulses sent as brain signals from the brain through the spinal cord to various nerve endings throughout the body travel from neuron to neuron via brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Since neurons don’t actually touch each other – there is a gap between each neuron, called synaptic gaps, neurotransmitters bridge these gaps and are, therefore, essential for the brain to communicate to the rest of the body. The electricity of the brain literally travels on the neurotransmitters between neurons throughout the body.
An overabundance or deficiency of any neurotransmitter can lead to health problems. An overabundance of a particular biochemical can flood the synaptic gaps, a deficiency will interrupt the brain signal getting to the part of the body that needs information.
When all four neurotransmitters are balanced one’s brain is operating in top form, or as Dr. Braverman calls it you will be experiencing the “edge effect” – optimum brain function.
To determine your neurotransmitter nature and possible deficiencies contact my office by phone at 708.848.0254 or by email at jim@createvibranthealth.com and I will email you a comprehensive questionnaire which was developed my leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mind-brain-body medicine. In my own case I found the questionnaire results were corroborated by other testing. I can review your results and customize a nutrition, supplement and lifestyle program that can be integrated into your current program to balance any minor or moderate neurotransmitter deficiency. If you have severe deficiencies I can refer you to a holistic medical doctor with more treatment options available for you.
Dopamine
Beta brain waves which make you feel alert are created in the frontal lobes of the brain from neurons that produce the biochemical dopamine, which controls the electrical voltage of your brain. Dopamine works as a natural amphetamine and controls your energy, excitement and motivation.
Dopamine controls the following:
* blood pressure
* metabolism
* digestion
* voluntary movement
* intelligence
* abstract thought
* setting goals
* long-term planning
* Adrenaline production
Those individuals with a predominant dopamine nature who are balanced know what they want, are assertive, strong-willed, fast on their feet and self-confident. Dopamine personalities tend to like facts and figures are highly rational and are achievement oriented. Dopamine types gravitate toward occupations such as law, science, allopathic medicine, engineering, architecture and the military.
Producing too much dopamine can make one too intense, compulsive and driven. Overproduction of dopamine can also lead to violent behavior.
Dopamine deficiencies can lead to some of the following symptoms:
* Anemia
* Blood sugar instability
* Bone density loss
* High blood pressure
* Low sex drive and/or difficulty achieving orgasm
* Joint pain
* Thyroid disorders
* Aggression (paradoxically)
* Anger
* Depression
* Inability to handle stress
* Guilt or feelings of worthlessness
* Excessive sleep
* Mood swings
* Slow thought processing speed
* Forgetfulness
* Attention deficit disorder
* Hyperactivity
* Failure to finish tasks
Severe dopamine deficiencies are often treated with medications or hormones. Mild to moderate dopamine deficiencies can be balanced with diet, supplements and lifestyle modifications.
Physical signs of dopamine deficiency will be fatigue, sleeping long hours and still not feeling rested, your mind wandering, difficulty making decisions, craving caffeine, sexual dysfunction. Unconsciously you will try to compensate by avoiding stressful situations, drinking coffee to give you energy and drinking alcohol to bring you down. It is important once you realize this to correct your underlying dopamine deficiency with proper nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle modifications.
Each of the primary neurotransmitters has a nutrient precursor, and dopamine is derived from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Co-factors such as folic acid, vitamin B6, iron, copper and vitamin C are important for phenylanaline to be absorbed.
Common foods that have high phenylalanine (p) or tyrosine (t) concentrations (in grams) include: Chicken 6-8 oz. 1.60 (p)/ .4 (t); Cottage Cheese 1 cup 1.7 (p)/1.7 (t); walnuts 6-8 oz. 1.4 (p); Ricotta cheese 1 cup 1.35 (p)/1.5 (t); Turkey 6-8 oz. 1.6 (p)/.7 (t); Wild game 6-8 oz. 2.6 (p)/1.5 (t).
Much has been written about the mind-body connection. We all know that our emotions and thoughts can effect how our bodies function. Depression can suppress the immune system, anxiety disrupts digestion and anger has an adverse effect on liver function. This connection; however, works both ways – not only do our emotions affect our physical health, but our nutritional status and toxicity levels effect our moods, behavior and emotions.
More and more research is pointing to how nutrient deficiencies and toxicity effect our brain chemistry and how imbalances in our brain’s neurotransmitters (brain chemicals made from amino acids) affect everything from our behavior, ability to concentrate, memory and even organ function.
Research has shown that brain neurotransmitter deficiencies contribute to hundreds of health problems which fall into four categories: physical symptoms (pain, blood sugar problems, immune and digestive dysfunction, etc), personality issues (anger, depression, anxiety, etc.), memory issues and attention issues. I will go over the specific health problems for each neurotransmitter deficiency later in this newsletter.
The Four Aspects of Brain Health
People usually don’t start thinking about the health of their brain until they notice theirs isn’t functioning as well as it used to. It may start by you having trouble remembering names, phone numbers or addresses. Maybe you can’t concentrate as well on the task at hand as you did in the past. You may also notice that you are having more sleep disorders or are feeling depressed more often. These are signs that something may be off in your brain chemistry.
The brain is the greatest generator of electricity in the human body. The brain sends electric currents throughout the entire body through brain chemicals called neurotransmitters which then send energy and information to the rest of your cells, glands and organs. It’s really amazing how perfectly designed the body is when you look closely – the only problem comes when we poison the cells of the body and starve the body of nutrients necessary to fuel cellular regeneration. There are a growing number of toxins that are entering our environment which destroy your brain and nervous system’s cells. These toxins are called excito-toxins which literally stimulate your neurons to death. Toxic chemicals such as MSG, nutra-sweet (aka as aspartame), hydrolyzed protein are now saturating our dietary landscape. Many of us put toxic chemicals on our hair and face which get into our brains and effect the production and function of neurotransmitters. For those of you who have come to my class on detoxification you know how commercial hair, skin and beauty care products are often loaded with toxic chemicals and metals including: lead, aluminum and mercury. All these toxins get into the body and poison the cells. My motto is that if you wouldn’t eat the product don’t put it on your hair, face or skin.
Attention deficit disorder is now one of the fastest growing diseases in our society and it can be traced to these toxins and nutrient deficiencies as well as a disconnected life from nature and spirit.
According to Dr. Eric Braverman, a leading clinician and researcher in the field of mind-brain-body medicine, brain health has four main aspects:
* memory
* attention
* personality and temperament
* physical health
The brain’s four primary neurotransmitters: dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serontonin each affect these four areas of brain health in different ways. For example, one measure for memory and attention is the speed at which the brain processes information. All four neurotransmitters affect speed; however, acetylcholine is most important for brain speed. A normal brain processes a thought in about 320 milliseconds (1/3 of a second). By the time our thinking is slowed down to four hundred milliseconds to process a thought we can no longer process logical thoughts. The average person loses 7-10 milliseconds of brain speed every decade starting at the age of 40. Numerous learning disabilities, neuro-psychiatric problems and other seemingly unrelated health problems are set in motion with slower brain speed. Remember this is just one of hundreds of health issues related to brain chemistry.
The question you may be asking yourself is that if brain speed is a result of neurotransmitter production – what are neurotransmitters made of? Each neurotransmitter is made of different building blocks called amino acids. I will review the specific nutrients and foods that boost each neurotransmitter later.
The Brain’s Four Primary Neurotransmitters
The brain is able to coordinate your movements, control your heart rate and breathing, and allow you to feel hunger, pain, happiness, sadness and all other emotions through the electrical charges which travel throughout your body. This electricity needs a path to travel on through the body. This path is made up of the cells of the central nervous system (which includes the brain and spinal cord) called neurons. Each of us is born with approximately 100 billion neurons which are continually dying and being created every second. Electrical impulses sent as brain signals from the brain through the spinal cord to various nerve endings throughout the body travel from neuron to neuron via brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Since neurons don’t actually touch each other – there is a gap between each neuron, called synaptic gaps, neurotransmitters bridge these gaps and are, therefore, essential for the brain to communicate to the rest of the body. The electricity of the brain literally travels on the neurotransmitters between neurons throughout the body.
An overabundance or deficiency of any neurotransmitter can lead to health problems. An overabundance of a particular biochemical can flood the synaptic gaps, a deficiency will interrupt the brain signal getting to the part of the body that needs information.
When all four neurotransmitters are balanced one’s brain is operating in top form, or as Dr. Braverman calls it you will be experiencing the “edge effect” – optimum brain function.
To determine your neurotransmitter nature and possible deficiencies contact my office by phone at 708.848.0254 or by email at jim@createvibranthealth.com and I will email you a comprehensive questionnaire which was developed my leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mind-brain-body medicine. In my own case I found the questionnaire results were corroborated by other testing. I can review your results and customize a nutrition, supplement and lifestyle program that can be integrated into your current program to balance any minor or moderate neurotransmitter deficiency. If you have severe deficiencies I can refer you to a holistic medical doctor with more treatment options available for you.
Dopamine
Beta brain waves which make you feel alert are created in the frontal lobes of the brain from neurons that produce the biochemical dopamine, which controls the electrical voltage of your brain. Dopamine works as a natural amphetamine and controls your energy, excitement and motivation.
Dopamine controls the following:
* blood pressure
* metabolism
* digestion
* voluntary movement
* intelligence
* abstract thought
* setting goals
* long-term planning
* Adrenaline production
Those individuals with a predominant dopamine nature who are balanced know what they want, are assertive, strong-willed, fast on their feet and self-confident. Dopamine personalities tend to like facts and figures are highly rational and are achievement oriented. Dopamine types gravitate toward occupations such as law, science, allopathic medicine, engineering, architecture and the military.
Producing too much dopamine can make one too intense, compulsive and driven. Overproduction of dopamine can also lead to violent behavior.
Dopamine deficiencies can lead to some of the following symptoms:
* Anemia
* Blood sugar instability
* Bone density loss
* High blood pressure
* Low sex drive and/or difficulty achieving orgasm
* Joint pain
* Thyroid disorders
* Aggression (paradoxically)
* Anger
* Depression
* Inability to handle stress
* Guilt or feelings of worthlessness
* Excessive sleep
* Mood swings
* Slow thought processing speed
* Forgetfulness
* Attention deficit disorder
* Hyperactivity
* Failure to finish tasks
Severe dopamine deficiencies are often treated with medications or hormones. Mild to moderate dopamine deficiencies can be balanced with diet, supplements and lifestyle modifications.
Physical signs of dopamine deficiency will be fatigue, sleeping long hours and still not feeling rested, your mind wandering, difficulty making decisions, craving caffeine, sexual dysfunction. Unconsciously you will try to compensate by avoiding stressful situations, drinking coffee to give you energy and drinking alcohol to bring you down. It is important once you realize this to correct your underlying dopamine deficiency with proper nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle modifications.
Each of the primary neurotransmitters has a nutrient precursor, and dopamine is derived from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Co-factors such as folic acid, vitamin B6, iron, copper and vitamin C are important for phenylanaline to be absorbed.
Common foods that have high phenylalanine (p) or tyrosine (t) concentrations (in grams) include: Chicken 6-8 oz. 1.60 (p)/ .4 (t); Cottage Cheese 1 cup 1.7 (p)/1.7 (t); walnuts 6-8 oz. 1.4 (p); Ricotta cheese 1 cup 1.35 (p)/1.5 (t); Turkey 6-8 oz. 1.6 (p)/.7 (t); Wild game 6-8 oz. 2.6 (p)/1.5 (t).