holistic

Your Nervous system is BEGGING for these nutrients!

A regulated nervous system is essential for sleep, mood, hormones, metabolism, gut health, and more.


But your nervous system cannot stay regulated without nutrition—and especially these 3 key nutrients:


1️⃣Magnesium

Magnesium is a cofactor needed to synthesize several neurotransmitters, including serotonin and GABA. It also has a calming effect on the nerves and muscles throughout the body. Good food sources are leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and chocolate!


2️⃣B Vitamins

Vitamin B6 supports production of serotonin, and vitamin B12 is needed to support the protective covering around nerve cells. Other B vitamins participate in energy metabolism, providing essential energy for nerve cells. Good food sources are animal products and fortified foods.


3️⃣Choline

Choline is a building block for acetylcholine—the primary chemical messenger of the parasympathetic nervous system. The most common food source of choline is egg yolks. Liver is another excellent source!


Think about the foods you eat on a daily basis, and check your supplements to see if you are fueling your nervous system.


As always, if you want more support, visit our website to schedule an appointment! 🌱


#elementsnatmed #naturalmedicine #nervoussystem #nervoussystemsupport #nutrients #colga

Signs of a Dysregulated Nervous System

Which of these can you relate to:


💥 Constantly overwhelmed

💥 Easily irritated or on edge

💥 Anxious for no reason

💥 Feeling “wired but tired”

💥 Overly sensitive to noises or smells

💥 Muscle tension or pain

💥 Indigestion or other gut troubles


While there may be different root causes for each person, all of these can be signs of a dysregulated nervous system.


What does that mean?


It means that your nervous system is stuck in a state of overdrive.


It might be caused by ongoing stress, past trauma, or pushing your body too hard for too long.


One way to think of this is that your body is in a perpetual state of “fight or flight” driven by the sympathetic nervous system—and has trouble settling into the “rest and digest” state of the parasympathetic.


Having a dysregulated nervous system is not a diagnosis.


There are no medications to take.


It is merely an underlying pattern that can be helpful to recognize so that you can take proactive steps to support a healthier nervous system response.


Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of the ways I help my clients regulate their nervous system—through foods, nutrients, intentional rest, and everyday habits.


What questions do you have about nervous system regulation? Let me know in the comments ⤵️

Placebos work—even when people know they are placebos!

It used to be thought that the placebo effect only worked if people believed they were getting an active treatment.


But this new study found that even knowing it’s a placebo can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in just two weeks.


To me, this tells us two things:


1️⃣ The mind is a powerful driver of change.


2️⃣ Taking an active role in healing (like by taking a pill) gives a sense of control and empowerment— an overlooked key to healing.


While I can nerd out over metabolic pathways, nutrient interactions, and all things science, I’ll always leave space for the inexplicable magic in healing ✨

Guevarra DA, Webster CT, Moros JN, Kross E, Moser JS. Remotely administered non-deceptive placebos reduce COVID-related stress, anxiety, and depression. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. Published online August 14, 2024. [link]

Give Yourself This Gift 🎁

Consider this a virtual hug from me to you 🫶

Even though the holidays can be beautiful, the expectations to do it all, make everything perfect, and show up smiling for it all are just—unrealistic.

Especially if you are a busy mom, a perfectionist, or an overachiever.


💫 So this is your reminder that it’s okay to say no.


To give yourself some breathing room.


To prioritize what means the most to you.


You might be surprised.


That small act of self-care could mean you’ll be more present and have more energy for the things that really matter.


Share this with someone else who also might need this message!

Supplements for Seasonal Support ❄️

3 Supplements to Consider for ❄️Seasonal Immune Support


But first to be clear:


“Seasonal support” supplements are meant to strengthen immune function over weeks or months—not to be confused with “temporary support” products, which are best taken when you’re already feeling unwell.


Here they are!


1️⃣ Reishi

Reishi is a medicinal mushroom, traditionally used as an adaptogen to support stress resilience. It is rich in beta-glucans, which modulate immune function over time. Powdered reishi can be mixed into coffee or brewed as tea.


2️⃣ Probiotics

Since 70%-80% of the body’s immune cells reside in the gut, a healthy gut microbiome is essential for supporting immune defenses. Probiotics can be consumed as supplements or in fermented foods.


3️⃣ Vitamin D

Especially during darker months, consuming enough vitamin D is essential for immune function. Studies show that low vitamin D levels increase the risk and severity of infections. Vitamin D can be taken as pills. If you don’t know your vitamin D level, ask to get it checked!


📌Save this post for later!

References:

-Chen SN, Nan FH, Liu MW, Yang MF, Chang YC, Chen S. Evaluation of Immune Modulation by β-1,3; 1,6 D-Glucan Derived from Ganoderma lucidum in Healthy Adult Volunteers, A Randomized Controlled Trial. Foods. 2023;12(3):659. [link]

-Wimalawansa SJ. Infections and Autoimmunity-The Immune System and Vitamin D: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2023;15(17):3842. Published 2023 Sep 2. [link]

-Yuan C, He Y, Xie K, Feng L, Gao S, Cai L. Review of microbiota gut brain axis and innate immunity in inflammatory and infective diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023;13:1282431. [link]