MTHFR Defects and Estrogen Dominance

MTHFR Defects and Estrogen Dominance

by | Aug 31, 2020 | B-Vitamins, Cardiovascular, Cholesterol, Depression, Detox, Endometriosis, Estrogen, Fatigue, Fibroids, Glutathione, Hormones, Liver Health, PCOS, Perimenopause, Periods, PMS, Progesterone, Regenerative Health Program, Toxins, Vitamin B12, Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Wellness

The Link Between Estrogen & MTHFR

MTHFR is an enzyme that adds a methyl group to folic acid to make it usable by the body. The MTHFR gene produces this MTHFR enzyme that’s also important for proper metabolism, muscle growth & glutathione production. If you have a mutation in MTHFR, you may have trouble effectively eliminating toxins from the body or balancing hormones.

 

How Does this Manifest in your Body?

  1. High cholesterol
  2. Difficulty getting pregnant/birth defects
  3. Estrogen dominance
  4. Low energy

But if you suffer from bloating, abnormal periods, acne, mood swings, fibroids, blood clots, endometriosis, PCOS or irritability, these symptoms are signs of Estrogen Dominance. And your body removes estrogen through the process of methylation. So if you have a defect in the MTHFR gene/enzyme, estrogen builds up making your symptoms worse.

 

What can You do to Help?

Though it isn’t possible to change a gene, there are things that can be done to minimize the potential for problems.

  1. Focus on gut health – It’s important to focus on gut health so that the body can absorb the nutrients from food as effectively as possible. This also helps avoid candida, which can make MTHFR related problems worse.
  2. Get your Bs – Supplement w/methylated form of B vitamins so that your body doesn’t have to “deal with the defect” & work around it. And if you’re in the area, stop by my office for a Mega Shot™!
  3. Detox – Give your liver a much needed boost to help with the clearance of hormones quicker. My Detox IV is perfect to help a sluggish liver get the necessary nutrients to eliminate easily and quickly.
The Link Between Your Hormones and Anxiety

The Link Between Your Hormones and Anxiety

by | Jul 7, 2020 | Adrenals, Anxiety, Brain Health, Depression, Estrogen, Hormones, Insulin Resistance, PCOS, Perimenopause, Periods, PMS, Podcast Episodes, Progesterone, Stress, Thryoid, women's health

Welcome to Regenerate You, I’m Dr. Nirvana!

If you’ve ever felt confused by spiking anxiety shortly before your period begins, don’t worry: You’re not alone. Our hormones directly affect our anxiety levels. And it’s not just cortisol — a number of hormones can influence how stressed you’re feeling on any particular day. On this episode, I discuss the wild world of hormones inside your body — and info about how they can cause your anxiety. Plus some tips on what to do to balance them out. While it may be unnerving to think about the hormones your body is putting out, remember that it’s simply about going to the root cause. Don’t guess, but test your hormones to really know what your body is trying to tell you! To receive a B-vitamin or Bliss shot that I mentioned during the is episode, visit my Vitamin Shot Bar.

If you’re looking for additional advice, feel free to visit my blog here. You can also stay connected with me on my Facebook page @DrNirvanaHeals or on my Instagram @DrNirvana.

Don’ forget to subscribe to my Podcast!

 

And remember, when you regenerate, there’s a new you every day!

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Regenerative Health Program™

Regenerative Health Program™

by | Jan 14, 2020 | Anti-Aging, Beauty, Belly Fat, Brain Health, Cholesterol, Depression, Detox, Diets, Endometriosis, Energy, Estrogen, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, GI Inflammation, GI or Gut Health, Gut Health, Hair Loss, Hashimotos Disease, Holistic Tips, Hormones, Immunity, Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, Leaky Gut, Liver Health, Men's Health, PCOS, Periods, PMS, Regenerative Health Program, Sleep, Stress, Testosterone, Tooth Health, Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Program, Wellness, women's health

The Regenerative Health Program™
I've Been Wanting This

I’m so glad you’re here.

By allowing me to help you, you are about to end your battle with fatigue, lack of confidence, a constant state of discomfort, mood swings, painful periods and a simple lack luster for life.

How can my Regenerative Health Program™ help you? Let’s discuss how I will reprogram every cell of your body, to come back to life.

The Next  Big Thing

in Holistic Medicine

Navigating your own health is similar to starting a new recipe without knowing how to cook. You have an idea of what ingredients to use, but have no idea how to put it all together.

This is where I come in…

I found the Regenerative Health Program™ to help teach you how to renew every cell of your body. 

Begin Now

Reprogram Your Health

To Reinvent Your Life

Discover the Real You

By regenerating your health struggles, into your ideal self

Regenerate

 

I’m dedicated in helping you have a firm grasp on understanding why your health turned upside down, while supporting your decisions to choose whichever path you prefer in the healing process.

 

 

Reinventing Your Health

THIS IS WHAT I NEED

I’m guiding you

step by step…

On which ingredients to buy and how to put the recipe together. I take your entire picture, along with your labs, to to paint a clear picture of how you got to where you are, what to do to fix it, and what’s coming down the pipeline if you don’t act now.

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Learn More

I’m always standing

by your side

My job is to teach you how to care for your body so well that you know exactly what to do when things get a little off balance.

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Plan a Visit

If you’re suffering from symptoms of imbalance, hair loss, chronic fatigue, PMS, hypothyroidism, adrenal dysfunction, fibroids, endometriosis and have seen everyone and tried everything, I can offer you solutions on your healing journey that will help you to get your life back. A full life of fun, happiness and ease. It’s time to end your needless suffering.

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Book An Appointment

Express your Gratitude in February, for your Health’s Sake

by | Jan 14, 2019 | Depression, Stress, Wellness

Express your Gratitude in February, for your Health’s Sake

Simple Approaches to Love your Health More

Gratitude Improves Physical Health

Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and report feeling healthier than other people, according to a 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences. Not surprisingly, grateful people are also more likely to take care of their health. They exercise more often and are more likely to attend regular check-ups, which is likely to contribute to further longevity. Research shows that when we think about what we appreciate, the parasympathetic or calming part of the nervous system is triggered and that can have protective benefits on the body, including decreasing cortisol levels and perhaps increasing oxytocin, the bonding hormone involved in relationships that make us feel so good.

Gratitude Improves Psychological Health

Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.

The benefits of gratitude start with the dopamine system, because feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine. Additionally, gratitude toward others increases activity in social dopamine circuits, which makes social interactions more enjoyable. Like the anti-depressant medications, gratitude increases circulating levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Thinking of things you are grateful for forces you to focus on the positive aspects of your life. This simple act increases serotonin production in the anterior cingulate cortex. If you need more natural vitamin and mineral support for these neurotransmitters, a custom-tailored IV would be perfect for you! The nutrients are tailored to enhance the happy and calming neurotransmitters of your brain while feeding your body the nutrients it needs.

Grateful People Sleep Better

Writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep, according to a 2011 study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. Spend just 15 minutes jotting down a few grateful sentiments before bed, and you may sleep better and longer. The University of Manchester in England was interested in the effect that gratitude might have on people’s snooze time. Their study included over 400 adults (40% of whom had sleep disorders) who filled out questionnaires about gratitude, sleep and thoughts that they had prior to falling asleep (“pre-sleep thoughts”). Gratitude was related to having more positive thoughts – and less negative ones – at bedtime. This phenomenon was consequently related to falling asleep faster and having more restful sleep.

When you make the choice to actively experience and express gratitude throughout the day, you are more likely to naturally have your experience filled with positive thoughts and emotions at bedtime. The way that you choose to fill your heart and mind throughout the day has a natural impact on your mood at bedtime. When you have spent the day filled with worry, fear, or sadness, these experiences try to come to bed with you. Just as you can choose to think thoughts filled with fear, you are equally capable of thinking thoughts filled with gratitude.

You don’t have to “have it all” to experience authentic gratitude. In fact, I would be willing to bet that you have much more than you consciously realize in this very moment. Learning to become mindful of pleasant experiences, to slow down and become mindful throughout the day, and take the time to count your blessings all adds up to a calmer heart and mind at bedtime.

Where to Start

If you tend to experience difficulty with falling asleep or getting restful sleep, consider making the commitment to actively cultivate an attitude of gratitude for the next week. Here are some ideas which you can begin to journal nightly to express your gratitude and love about:

  1. Your home. What memories does it hold? What type of protection does it give you?
  2. Your favorite hobby. What do you love about it? How does it make you feel?
  3. A favorite memory. Why does this memory stick out?
  4. Your free time. What do you like to do in your free time?
  5. Someone important. What role does this person fill in your life? How can you show him or her how grateful you are?
Energy Drinks have Detrimental Effects on Brain Health

Energy Drinks have Detrimental Effects on Brain Health

by | Jan 14, 2019 | Brain Health, Depression, Stress

Energy Drinks have Detrimental Effects on Brain Health

Energy drinks are widely promoted as products that increase energy and enhance mental alertness and physical performance. Next to multivitamins, energy drinks are the most popular dietary supplement consumed. There are two kinds of energy drink products. One is sold in containers similar in size to those of ordinary soft drinks, such as a 16-oz. bottle. The other kind, called “energy shots,” is sold in small containers holding 2 to 2½ oz. of concentrated liquid. Caffeine is a major ingredient in both types of energy drink products—at levels of 70 to 240 mg in a 16-oz. drink and 113 to 200 mg in an energy shot. (For comparison, a 12-oz. can of cola contains about 35 mg of caffeine, and an 8-oz. cup of coffee contains about 100 mg.) Another major ingredient in energy drinks includes artificial and “natural” sweeteners (stevia). Caffeine makes the body think is it under stress, which raises the cortisol level, raises the insulin level, and causes carbohydrates to be deposited as fat.  In the long run, the brain becomes depleted of the major neurotransmitters that contribute to a variety of mental health concerns such as depression, lethargy, ADD, and insomnia.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are molecules that regulate brain function. They are chemicals which relay messages from nerve to nerve both within the brain and outside the brain. They also relay messages from nerve to muscle, lungs, and intestinal tracts. They can accentuate emotion, thought processes, joy, elation and also fear, anxiety, insomnia and that terrible urge to over indulge in food, alcohol, drugs, etc. In short, neurotransmitters are used all over the body to transmit information and signals.

There are two kinds of neurotransmitters – inhibitory and excitatory. Excitatory neurotransmitters are what stimulate the brain. Those that calm the brain and help create balance are called inhibitory. Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance mood and are easily depleted when the excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive such as when they are being artificially stimulated by caffeine.

how caffeine effects the brain neurotransmitters depression insomnia

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

  • SEROTONIN is an inhibitory neurotransmitter – which means that it does not stimulate the brain.  Adequate amounts of serotonin are necessary for a stable mood and to balance any excessive excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter firing in the brain.  If you use stimulant medications or caffeine in your daily regimen – it can cause a depletion of serotonin over time.  Serotonin also regulates many other processes such as carbohydrate cravings, sleep cycle, pain control and appropriate digestion.  Low serotonin levels are also associated with decreased immune system function.
  • GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is often referred to as “nature’s VALIUM-like substance”.  When GABA is out of range (high or low excretion values), it is likely that an excitatory neurotransmitter is firing too often in the brain.  GABA will be sent out to attempt to balance this stimulating over-firing.
  • DOPAMINE is a special neurotransmitter because it is considered to be both excitatory and inhibitory.  Dopamine helps with depression as well as focus, which you will read about in the excitatory section.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

  • DOPAMINE is our main focus neurotransmitter.  When dopamine is either elevated or low – we can have focus issues such as not remembering where we put our keys, forgetting what a paragraph said when we just finished reading it or simply daydreaming and not being able to stay on task.  Dopamine is also responsible for our drive or desire to get things done – or motivation.  Stimulants such as medications for ADD/ADHD and caffeine cause dopamine to be pushed into the synapse so that focus is improved.  Unfortunately, stimulating dopamine consistently can cause a depletion of dopamine over time.
  • NOREPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for stimulatory processes in the body.  Norepinephrine helps to make epinephrine as well.  This neurotransmitter can cause anxiety at elevated excretion levels as well as some mood lowering effects.  Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with low energy and decreased focused ability and sleep cycle problems.
  • EPINEPHRINE is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is reflective of stress.  This neurotransmitter will often be elevated when ADHD like symptoms are present.  Long term stress or insomina can cause epinephrine levels to be depleted (low).  Epinephrine also regulates heart rate and blood pressure.

If you believe that your caffeine consumption has become addictive or is the root cause of your mental health imbalances, please know that a simple test can help to determine your neurotransmitter imbalances. Please contact the office here, to begin.

Healing Depression Naturally

Healing Depression Naturally

by | Jul 31, 2018 | Depression, GI Inflammation, Gut Health

Healing Depression Naturally

If you’ve been diagnosed with depression, your doctor may have said that you’ve inherited the depression gene and you may worry that having a depressed family member means that you’ll get depression too. The next thing they’ll recommend is putting you on an antidepressant such as an SSRI which prolongs more serotonin to stay in your system or another medication to silence your symptoms. Sadly most of these medications wreak havoc on the gut leading to a vicious cycle of more medications and worse symptomology.healing depression naturally

Science has consistently shown that chronic inflammation is at the root of nearly every disease. Inflammation is linked to everything from metabolic disorders, like obesity and diabetes, to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. I’ve personally treated hundreds of patients diagnosed with depression whose bodies were on fire with chronic inflammation rising most especially from their gut. My clinical success rates are so high because I recognize that depression is a symptom, not a disease, and I treat the cause of the symptom which is the inflammation.

Although serotonin is well known as a brain neurotransmitter, it is estimated that most of the body’s serotonin is made in the digestive tract. Our gut consists of sheaths of neurons embedded within it’s walls. In fact, altered levels of this peripheral serotonin have been linked to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. A big part of our emotions are actually influenced by the nerves in our gut.

Gut bacteria have also been found to play a significant role in the communication that goes on between the brain and the gut.

When most people talk about gut bacteria, they are referring to the friendly and beneficial microorganisms housed in the digestive tract. These microorganisms come together and form a community, or what is otherwise known as a microbiome.

Certain bacteria have the special ability to generate that “feel good” mood. Some beneficial bacteria that have taken up residence in the gut will actually increase GABA receptors in the brain. When there are more GABA receptors in the brain, more GABA is being put to good use. This is a good thing, especially since a decrease in GABA receptors has been associated with mood disorders, like chronic depression.

Gut bacteria and overall gut health significantly influence the communication between the brain and the gut. When the gut is full of healthy bacteria, it has the potential to regulate mood and positive feelings.

How to Heal your Gut and Stop your Depression

For over a decade now I have been treating patients suffering from long term depression, irritability and moodiness using my newest formulation called Gut Be Calm™. My proprietary formulation is customized to help heal the inner nervous system of the gut to balance neurotransmitters and GI inflammation. It is now available for purchase on-line to help those that can’t see me personally in-office. Start by healing from the inside out. The investment in your own health is the healthiest choice you’ll ever make.

To order your own Gut Be Calm™ or to learn more, please click here.