Tag Archive for: holistic care

By Cristina McMullen, Certified Wellness Coach, Bio-Energetic Practitioner

Summer is sadly coming to an end, which means our kiddos are going to be back in the classroom before we know it. And because of this, many of us are looking for supplements that can help our kids stay better focused during those long school days. Thankfully, we’ve got some suggestions and supplements that can help!

DIET

Before I get into supplements that can help with focus and attention, I want to stress just how important a child’s diet is to their mental functioning. You can put your child on every single supplement on this list, but if they are still eating certain things that negatively impact their nervous system, they will still be struggling. Probably the biggest offenders include sugars and artificial dyes. Regularly consuming sugar and the other 200 names that the food industry uses for sugar has been shown to not only decrease cognitive function that results in lower test scores in children but that it also shrinks the brain! Artificial dyes, especially red 40, have been linked to hyperactivity and poor focus. Luckily, it is getting a little easier to find foods colored with natural dyes like beet and turmeric powder. This way our kiddos don’t feel like they are missing out on “fun foods.” Food sensitivities may actually have a stimulating effect to some and can result in ADD/ADHD type symptoms. While some common offenders include gluten and dairy, everyone is going to have their own list of food sensitivities that will affect them differently. One little trick parents can do is pay attention not only to their behavior after eating certain foods, but to look and see if their ears get red. Many times, that is an indication that something they ate recently is negatively affecting them.

FISH OILS

Fish oil supplements contain two very important omega 3 oils: EPA and DHA. We all need adequate amounts of these omegas because they are extremely important for brain development and function. Starting at the time of conception, DHA is especially important for the growth and development of the brain. EPA can be helpful for childhood behavior, academic performance, attention, focus, and reducing aggression. And, while we would ideally be getting our omegas from our diet in the form of wild caught fish and some nuts and seeds like chia and flax, most of us are not getting the 3-4 servings a week that we would need to meet our nutritional needs. Thankfully, we have a few options. My kid’s personal favorite is the Omegavail citrus sorbet and I have literally caught my litle one climbing into the fridge to get more of the smoothie-like goodness. If textures or flavors is an issue, we have a very concentrated liquid that can be mixed into smoothies or juices. If your older kiddos can swallow, I would highly recommend Mega Marine. It’s a bit smaller than your typically fish oil capsule and has some added anti-inflammatory benefit with extra SPMs (specialized pro-resolving mediators).

B VITAMINS

B vitamins, especially the methylated forms of B12, Folate (B9), and B6 (P5P) are essential for proper functioning of the brain and nerve cells. They play a role in neurotransmitter function, which enhances our ability to reason and think logically. They also assist in the production of myelin, which helps to protect our nerves and allows for electrical impulses to transmit quickly and more efficiently along the nerve cells. Depending on your child’s preference, we have topical creams, sprays, liquids, and even casules that can give them the B vitamins that their body needs.

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium has been nicknamed the “master mineral” and is known to have anti-stress, anti-anxiety, anti-depressive, and neuroprotective properties. Magnesium is very important for the brain, but unfortunately most forms of magnesium cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Magnesium Threonate can! Studies have shown that this specific form of magnesium increases neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and grow), which is fundamental for our ability to learn, and can even increase a protein (BDNF) that stimulates the production of new brain cells! Those are definitely things our little ones brains need to be doing in order to learn and retain all sorts of new information!

NDF FOCUS

This great tasting liquid is way more than just a another focus supplement. Yes, it contains herbs like solomons seal, which is very restorative to mental vitality and can nourish the mind, but my favorite ingredients in this blend include the adaptogenic herbs eleuthero and schizandra. Adaptogens support our adrenal glands, which are resposible for our body’s “fight or flight” stress response. This can be super helpful for so many kiddos, especially when they may start to feel stressed out over schoolwork or a difficult lesson.

COGNITIVE BALANCE

This supplement aids in the production and processing of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine plays an important role in many brain functions, including learning and concentration, behavior, motor activity, sleep, and mood. It is a capsule, but has an orange flavor to the powder inside and can be opened up and mixed with applesauce or stirred into a smoothie or drink.

BRAIN POWER

This fabulous spray is made up of nanstructured amino acids along with homeopathics to help restore cell signaling in the brain. This results in improved focus, mental clarity, and memory. It can be taken alone or paired with another spray, Peace and Calming, to help with more ADD/ADHD type symptoms.

Call or stop by our Nutrition Shop to talk to a knowledgeable staff member about the best option for your child. Here’s to a successful school year!

by Janelle Bertler, Traditional Naturopathic Practitioner

 

Little did I know that finding myself dating again in my 40’s would lead to a new found appreciation for men, yet this story isn’t about my dating experience. It’s about the many MANY amazing human beings that I have met along the dating journey. Couple this appreciation for men with a desire to assist everyone to show up as their best selves, and at that crossroad is where this series of articles was born. Let’s begin.  

It’s a “no-brainer” that men are important to society for their contributions to family, community, leadership, education, innovation and more. Now more than ever before in history, the state of the world is having an effect on everyone, and the stressors continue to compound! For any healthcare practitioner, whose goal is to support the physical health of any human being, they must look at supporting the mind, body and spirit. We know that the body is so intertwined and connected that if you affect one of these systems, it in turn affects the others. 

 

Here are some statistics in regards to the physical-mental health connection: 

  • Men with depression have a 30% higher risk for developing heart disease.
  • Men with mental health disorders are at a higher risk of developing cancer and are more likely to die from the disease.
  • Men with mental health issues are more likely to struggle with substance abuse. Men with substance abuse are at a higher risk of developing liver disease, heart disease, and cancer.
  • Men with mental health conditions are more likely to experience chronic pain.
  • Men with mental health disorders are more likely to experience sleep problems, which can lead to an increased risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. 
  • Men with depression have a 60% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to men without.
  • Men with mental health conditions are more likely to be obese, which can lead to a variety of physical health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. 
  • According to the World Health Organization suicide rates among men are about 3x’s higher than women.

 

Mental health has a significant impact on men’s physical health. This highlights the importance of addressing mental health concerns as a key part of overall health and well-being. It is true that men may be less likely to seek help for mental health issues. They are more likely to cope with mental health issues on their own, possibly due to social/ cultural norms that stigmatize mental health as a sign of weakness and vulnerability. Let’s dive into what men can do to support a healthy mental wellbeing!

We all know we should eat right, sleep well, exercise, blah, blah, blah. I’d like to share with you the “why” and some other areas that you may want to incorporate into your life. 

  1. Healthy eating reduces inflammation and reduces stress. It supports a healthy gut, deeper healing sleep, improves mood and increases energy.
  2. Prioritizing sleep has all the benefits of eating healthy, as well as assisting cognitive function, reducing irritability and increasing healthy emotional regulation. 
  3. Exercise not only improves mental health, but it also reduces the risk of chronic disease, improves sleep and relieves stress. Don’t forget about weight-lifting exercises. Muscle mass is important for supporting healthy testosterone levels, proper glucose control, bone health and improved self-image. 
  4. Maintain healthy relationships – Find your balance between family connections, friends and social groups. Loneliness and social isolation has been linked to an increased risk in depression, cardiovascular disease and decreased longevity. Males thrive on having friendships with other males, someone to talk to when times feel tough, and I’m not just talking about the superficial “sports” buddy. I’m talking about meaningful deep friendships. Finding friends as an adult might be easier by using a “finding friends” app or by joining groups that fit your favorite activities. A “gym buddy” might be a great way to fill multiple needs. 
  5. Take time for activities that bring joy and relaxation. It is important to find out what you need and enjoy. This will be different for every person and it may take trial and error to discover what works best. Carving out a little time in your life to feel elevated emotions can be very powerful, and we all need to find a little more relaxation to balance out our very busy lives.    
  6. Practice mindfulness in the way that works for you! This can take multiple forms: yoga, meditate, practice breathing exercises and/or try legs up the wall. There are all types of apps that can assist in this category; and remember to fill your spiritual needs as well.
  7. Limit screen time. Not only does blue light suppress melatonin making it harder to fall asleep, but devices keep your brain active and alert. Reducing screen time allows the brain to slow down and focus without distractions. Overtime this increases the ability to regulate emotions. Not to mention that media can have either a beneficial or negative effect depending upon what you choose to consume. 
  8. Serve others! Sometimes it takes getting out of our daily life and personal needs by putting attention on supporting others to get us out of the depths of mental health struggles. Volunteer your time. You might be amazed at how connecting in this way feeds the soul.
  9. Detoxify the body! By reducing the toxin load of the inner terrain, your Naturopath can assist you in feeling your best. 

 

It is when we feel our best that we have more “bandwidth” to deal with the everyday stressors of life. Put your own oxygen mask on first. Fill your own cup first. Take time for self-care! That way you are able to choose how you interact with those around you each and every day. Imagine a world where everyone has grace for everyone around them and can gently respond with kindness because everyone feels their best. That is the world I want to live in. Please join me in creating this world by caring for yourself and sharing this information with all the men that are important in your life. If you find yourself needing support in feeling your best, we are here to help!