163: Amino Acid Therapy for Mental Health with Christina Veselak
Did you know that mental health issues can stem from nutritional deficiencies? Particularly an amino acid deficiency?
In this week’s episode, Christina Veselak - licensed psychotherapist, functional nutritionist and founder of the Academy for Addiction & Mental Health Nutrition, explains how issues like depression, anxiety, poor focus, insomnia, perfectionism, anger, worry, obsessive thinking, self shame, addiction and even the inability to forgive can all be due to a lack of the amino acids that build our mood mediating neurotransmitters. She has seen increased protein intake and targeted amino acid therapy save marriages, prevent panic attacks, stave off suicidal thoughts and remedy Attention Deficit Disorder.
Listen in to hear more about the power of protein and amino acid therapy for mental health. And please share to help us spread the word of this very important message of healing through Real Food the way God made it.
EPISODE 163: Amino Acid Therapy for Mental Health with Christina Veselak
Show Notes
(0:00) Intro
Hello my friend, welcome back to the club. How are you today?
Welcome Christina Veselak to the CHC podcast
She is the Founder & Director of Academy for Addiction & Mental Health Nutrition. She has been a licensed psychotherapist for over 30 years and is knowledgeable in the rapidly growing science of orthomolecular psychiatry and functional nutrition & biochemistry for mental health. She also has a nonprofit organization called Eating Protein Saves Lives
(2:38) Let’s start by you sharing your background and how you got into this field and specialty.
Guided to specialize in addiction
Introduction to amino acids for addiction recovery
History of Christina’s chronic illness and how it influence her path.
(5:43) How did you come to discover the role of nutrition in the mental health?
Christina tells her miracle story
(13:55) When during this story are you getting into practice?
In 1993 became a certified nutritionist
In 2001 started a new psychotherapy practice in Denver and integrated nutrition into her work
(17:15) What are neurotransmitters and what is the role they pay in mental health?
The way our brain mediates our mood, perceptions and ability to deal with stressors is through chemical families called neurotransmitters. There are 4 big mood mediating neurotransmitters systems but they are all made from amino acids in the presence of vitamins and minerals.
So many things can fire off our neurotransmitters and deplete them (coffee, wine, etc)
(21:15) Role of amino acids
Amino acids are anti-addictive
Recommends a minimum of 20grams of protein every 4 hours
When our stress chemicals are low, it manifests as a sluggish depression
L tyrosine can turn this around in 20 minutes
Over time they are rebuilding the neurotransmitters rather than depleting them
(25:10) Amino acid deficiency
Symptoms include (not limited to): Depression, anxiety, insomnia, perfectionism, inability to forgive (remembrance of evil), worry, obsessive thinking, self attack and shame, blame
All are signs of low serotonin
Low blood sugar and adrenaline surging
(36:04) Story of a client who was suffering from panic attacks
(41:42) How would people begin to look into amino acid therapy?
Get one of Julia Ross’ books
L-Theanine
(48:18) Would it take awhile for someone who was very depleted to feel the effects?
Biochemical individuality
(52:45) Anchor Questions:
Anchor meal: Sardines spread on Trader Joe’s GF crackers and salad greens
Anchor verse: We are crucified with Christ so that we may be resurrected with him.
(57:47) Outro & Disclaimer
Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!