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September 10, 2020

Mental Health and Natural Interventions

Are you currently feeling that your cognitive performance isn’t how it used to be? Do you suffer from lack of concentration, poor memory or mood disturbances? All these issues can stem from numerous factors in our life, ranging from stress, to poor health, alcohol and drug abuse and more. There are many interventions that can help you and your neurological health that do not require toxic pharmaceutical drugs that essentially do not help increase the brains health but just mask the symptoms through modulating neurotransmitters.

We are told by many of our mental health professionals that our neurological ailments, such as depression or anxiety stem from the monoamine theory which states that these illnesses are caused from an imbalance in serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine(1). Recent studies are demonstrating this may not be the case, with antidepressants medications only modestly more effective than placebos for reducing symptoms and the possibility that SSRIs may have an opposing effect on depressive symptoms during acute and chronic treatment(1).

So you may ask what is causing these issues? There are a number of causative factors that many lead to mental illness, as each person and their lifestyle is completely different to the next but the science is demonstrating that stress (resulting from emotional, psychological or nutritional factors) contributes to neurodegeneration and synaptic loss (the loss of brain cell and brain cell connections). Stress can have impacts on the structure and function of brain circuitry that results in long-lasting changes in behavior(2). Synaptic plasticity is the mechanism by which information is maintained and stored within individual synapses, neurons, and neural circuits to guide the behavior of an organism(2). These mechanisms allow us to adapt to our constantly evolving environment, but not all of these adaptions are beneficial. Under prolonged periods of physical or psychological stress, these mechanisms become dysregulated, leading to unbalanced connectivity between brain regions, resulting in pathological behaviors, poor cognition and memory impairment(2). There are many ways we can address these issues but today I want to bring to your attention the use of neurological enhancing apoptogenic herbs.

Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that are known to for helping the body resist and handle psychical, psychological, chemical and biological stress. These herbs have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditions, with science today finally demonstrating their effectiveness in treatment. Each herb helps the body come back into balance via different mechanisms effecting biological and neurological systems.

Ashwagandha
This Ayurvedic herb has many applications from helping the body resist stress through the regulation of cortisol to helping restructure brain synapses through a process called synaptogenesis (creation and reformation of brain cell connections).

A study tested it’s effects on people with a history of chronic stress and analysed them by measurements of serum cortisol and assessing their scores on standard stress-assessment questionnaires(3). There was both a placebo control group and the study drug treatment group with both consuming one capsule twice a day for 60 days (with the drug treatment group receiving 300mg of high-concentration full-spectrum extract from the root of the Ashwagandha plant)(3). Results in the drug treatment group compared to the placebo group, showed a significant reduction in scores on all the stress-assessment scales on day 60 with a substantial reduction in serum cortisol(3). This demonstrated the herbs resistance towards stress thereby improving self-assessed quality of life.

Additionally another study isolated one of the main constituents from the Ashwagandha plant called withanolide A (WL-A) to investigate its effects on memory impairment due to neuronal atrophy and synaptic loss in the brain(4). WL-A recovered memory deficiencies through the regeneration of both axons and dendrites in addition to the reconstruction of pre- and postsynapses in neurons within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus brain regions(4).

One of the mechanisms WL-A reduces neurodegeneration is by restoring glutathione depletion in the hippocampus, increasing glutathione synthesis in neuronal cells by upregulating GCLC level through Nrf2 pathway in a corticosterone dependent manner(5).

Ashwagandha has been tested on neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, epilepsy and stress disorders with successful results(6). It was able to reverse synaptic loss and neurite atrophy, bettering functional outcome leading to reduced cognitive defects. The authors of the study attributed the observed effects to increased neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, synaptic integration, improved axonal and dendritic regeneration, thereby by showing strong regenerative potential(6).

As we can see, this herb has amazing applications for those suffering from a number of stress and neurodegenerative disorders. By incorporating apoptogenic herbal interventions, we can help ward off disease and even repair aspects that may already be dysfunctional or damaged. This is one of many herbs I will be covering in future articles to demonstrate the incredible potential these applications have in our lives, not only now but also for our future health.

Written by Luke Pavasovic
Director and Naturopath at Alchemic Health
facebook.com/alchemichealth
www.alchemichealth.com

References:
1. https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.com/is-the-low-serotonin-theory-of-depression-wrong/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3212803/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573577/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1576076/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4195593/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4392656/

August 13, 2020

Health Effects of Social Isolation

Is social isolation damaging us more than protecting us? Is it increasing our susceptibility to illness? The notion of lowering social interactions may be harming us and our immune systems more than we know. We have been given the perspective that by isolating we are protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the community around us. Although it seems this may be to the detrimental of our own immune and mental health in the long run, inevitably leading to a sicker and unhealthier community. But are we not trying stop this very thing from happening? This could open us up to more disease and illness then what it’s meant to prevent.

Recent studies show that emotional and immunological systems share more than a similarity in functions. A large body of both clinical and experimental evidence shows that there is an increase of emotional disorders in patients suffering from immune diseases and that there is an increased susceptibility to immune diseases in patients suffering from mental disorders(1). These two systems go hand in hand, so when one is disrupted the other is as well. This demonstrates a clear association between your mental/emotional well-being and how your immune system functions. In fact, the two systems develop almost side by side, and when one becomes defective, the other one often does the same(1). One study has shown a consistent link between conscientiousness and a reduced inflammatory response, as judged by the lower level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in subjects with this personality trait(1).

Adapting to physical or psychological challenges or threats involves the modulation of three regulatory systems: the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Correct communication of these systems is required to maintain homeostasis (balance) which guarantees the health and survival of the individual(4). While the stress response is essential for our survival, failure to address this stress response can impair the functions of these regulatory systems, preventing their communication. Under these circumstances, loss of homeostasis ultimately leads to pathologies that compromise our survival(4). Disruption of social bonds, leads to emotional stress increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality(4).

Psychosocial stress, specifically social isolation, is a major risk factor for the development of numerous psychological and physiological disorders(2). Social isolation in particular has consistently been shown to negatively influence health. There is a large body of literature that implicates negative changes in immune functions due to social stressors, leading to possible impairment of the pathways required to destroy foreign cells(2). By this it is clear that through stress and emotional disruption that we are inhibiting our body’s abilities to fight off pathogens.

A study investigated the effects of 10 days isolation and showed that immune cells CD69+ lymphocytes decreased during this period, most likely caused by changes in the ratio between NK and non-NK lymphocytes(3). This short period of isolation demonstrated a suppression of lymphocyte proliferative reaction, in other words lowering immune cells/immune function which inhibits the body’s capacity to combat invading pathogens.

People have the notion that by isolating and not visiting loved ones, specifically the older generations be it your grandmother or grandfather in these times that you are protecting them from a virus, which is valid to some degree. But at the same time, you are depriving them of your love, presence and connection that leads to them feeling lonely, sad and depressed, which from the evidence shows that this may be at their detriment to a greater degree, decreasing their immune systems function. So, if they do contract a virus, and without you by their side for that emotional support and happiness, you are only pushing them more towards their demise. Your families love, affection and presence would only enhance their immune system and their desire to keep living. After all is it not better to die with your loved ones around you, than to die alone? I dislike having to give such grim perspectives but it’s something we all really need to consider. The feelings of joy, happiness, love and connection play a vital role in increasing our survival rates but unfortunately, I do not see this being considered or implemented during these times.

Written by Luke Pavasovic
Director and Naturopath at Alchemic Health
facebook.com/alchemichealth
www.alchemichealth.com

Reference:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5442367/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4409529/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15145927/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24588822/

August 12, 2020

Magnesium’s Critical Role in Stress Management

Are you feeling stressed at the moment? I know most of us are due to the state of the world and/or numerous factors in our lives that contribute to the accumulation of stress. We have all heard of its detrimental effects, but do we really understand how bad it can become?

Did you know psychological stress shuts down your body’s immune system, which could lead you to becoming sick, even inhibiting the immune system to produce antibodies in response to a vaccine(1)? Chronic stress also inhibits the brain from functioning in an optimal cognitive state which leads to mental illness. If stress is sustained long enough, the impact it has on your neurological system (causing the destruction of brain cells, a term called neurodegeneration) could further lead to memory loss, Dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s(2). It impacts the whole body in a negative way if not managed properly.

None of us want this, nor do I want to see people suffering from this in their lives either. There are many remedies, but right now what I see in most of my patient’s and the people I come in contact with is that they are magnesium deficient.

Magnesium is a mineral many of us hear about but do not truly comprehend its vital importance. This critical mineral is involved in hundreds of enzyme reactions encompassing 80% of your metabolic functions and it is currently estimated that 60% of adults do not get the average daily intake of magnesium, leading to deficiencies(3). Despite its importance it remains one of the least understood and appreciated minerals in human health.

Daily beverages that most of the population consume such as coffee and alcohol increase its renal excretion, whilst common medications such as antacids, oral contraceptives and diuretics can greatly affect its absorption(3). If you are consuming any of these substances and feel stressed, then I urge you to consider the use of magnesium.

Magnesium is used when the body responds to stress, if we are constantly bombarded with some form of stress then we will inevitably have a greater need for magnesium. Many of us with our fast-paced lifestyles and during the current pandemic have a higher demand for it, so it’s vital we make sure those demands are met.

Hypomagnesaemia (magnesium deficiency) can lead to anxiety through the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis (HPA), this dysregulation essentially causes hyper-emotionality(5). This is due to magnesium’s role and action in glutamatergic, serotonergic, and adrenergic neurotransmitter systems, as well as via several neuro-hormones(4).

This deficiency causes the increase of corticotropin releasing hormone, which leads to a rise in cortisol(5). Stress and hypomagnesaemia potentiate each other’s negative effects which could cause photosensitive headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, audiogenic stress, cold stress, and physical stress, amongst others(4).

Considering these facts, I strongly suggest the use of supplemental interventions to help combat the effects of stress. Dosages for magnesium range from 300mg-500mg per day depending on the type of magnesium and how much you need.

There are other avenues to help combat stress which I will cover in future posts, but right now I feel this mineral is the main component a majority of people need to help their body and neurological functions during times of chronic stress.

Written by Luke Pavasovic,
Director and Naturopath at Alchemic Health
facebook.com/alchemichealth
www.alchemichealth.com

References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3019042/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4806285/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6163803/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507250/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198864/

THE ALCHEMIC HEALTH BLOG

Mental Health and Natural Interventions

Health Effects of Social Isolation

Magnesium’s Critical Role in Stress Management

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