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Exploring Anxiety through the Functional Medicine Lens: A Deep Dive for Practitioners

Hi!

In today’s pandemic environment and beyond, it’s important that we are also focused on the potentially devastating effects of chronic anxiety.  Especially for the lionshare of our patients and clients who are not personally wrestling with infections, their underlying chronic disease dynamics are otherwise likely worsening behind the scenes of this pandemic.  Sustained uncertainty and fear precipitate and potentiate anxiety – on top of all the other contributors and root causes.

I recorded this video just a few months ago,  and I believe these information is even more CRITICAL now for ALL practitioner modalities.

Are you confident in etiology and intervention for Anxiety, as seen through the functional medicine lens?

Although you may already be a savvy practitioner, I am certain you will learn something new in this video. You’ll walk away with pages of notes and practical pearls you can use in your practice right away.

Here are some of the things we’ll be discussing:

  • We know it’s Not all in their head (but it Might all be in their gut).
  • What is THE number-one everyday thing that can resolve anxiety? (No, it’s not magnesium).
  • Which comes first: anxiety or disease? (the answer is Yes!)
  • How too many or too few neurotransmitters CAN indeed be a root cause! (But not nearly as often as you think).
  • Impairment of ________ can drive up anxiety all on its own. And be at the root of both chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. (Nope, we’re not talkin’ serotonin this time).
  • The Biggest pitfall in Black-and-White thinking that we see savvy practitioners’ trip into All the time!
  • Chronic stress. (Yep, we talk about it all the time. But do you Really understand what is happening on a detailed biochemical level?)
  • The three hormones imbalances that can – and do – promote Anxiety. Often.
  • The surprising nutrients that can either reduce or cause anxiety and how the same nutrient that supports lowering anxiety can also cause it (I’ve got a whole list; get Beyond magnesium!).
  • What’s on your clients’ and patients’ dinner plate could be the Biggest root cause of their anxiety (Yep, sugar is on the list, but it’s among other heavy hitters that may surprise you!)

Thank you very much for joining in the fun and learning!

With warmth, love, and gratitude to you for sharing your gifts with so many –

 

 

 

Click here in case you missed the first few minutes before tech hiccup

P.S.  If you are passionate about transforming healthcare through the power of functional medicine, we encourage you to learn more about our training program here.

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Carol Jensen
Carol Jensen

Excellent webinar! I was surprised at the role
of estrogen in anxiety. But it makes sense. Just
understanding the interplay of the big 3 hormones
insulin, estrogen, and cortisol, as well as the
big 3 nutrients – omega 3’s, magnesium, and
B vitamins – is priceless!

Suzanne Johnson
Suzanne Johnson

I enjoyed how you brought to the forefront just how much diet, particularly gluten, affects anxiety. I feel like I have a good basis of understanding about how much diet affects so many of our body systems such as the digestive tract, hormones, skin issues, joints and creates autoimmune issues for so many people. But for some reason, I didn’t really tie diet to symptoms of anxiety specifically. I also appreciate how you once again reminded us of how important good sleep is to keeping the symptoms of anxiety at bay, along with all the other important things it is crucial for. Thank you once again Tracy for sharing your vast knowledge with us!

Mary Signorelli
Mary Signorelli

I’m a health coach and personal trainer. I am also a SAFM student and I really enjoy all the Clinical Deep Dives…. I got a lot out of this particular one on anxiety since I’m currently supporting a young client with that problem.
Whenever Tracy mentions a genetic link as she did today about COMT (in relation to breaking down adrenaline ) I pull out my “pearls notebook” and make an entry.
The info today on the body’s reaction to SSRI’s make a difficult concept easier to understand.
Thanks Tracy!

Kelly Glynn

Whew, I am having anxiety just keeping up with all the amazing pearls Tracy shared in this Facebook live. :). I am going to listen again with my cup of green tea and my book of pearls. I am fascinated by the GABA – glutamate relationship and the delicate balance needed to maintain optimum mental health. Looking forward to learning more and grateful that I came across SAFM! Thank you.

Kathleen Ronzio

This was so jam packed with pearls ~ Wow! What a vicious cycle anxiety is. The genetic component was intriguing as well as microbes producing neurotransmitters – GABA and hormones.
COMT enzyme metabolizes epinephrine. If you have this genetic impairment you will not break down that adrenaline very well once it is generated. It lingers and enhances anxiety. A need for B vitamins for sulfation and glucuronidation. Thank you!

Melaina Marion
Melaina Marion

I am thrilled about the practical pearls I learned in today’s Deep Dive on how to work with clients/patients with anxiety. It is something I never imagined being able to do, yet have so many people that came to mind who I would love to help. While I believe anxiety can be a complex issue it seems there are so many simple things I could suggest that would make a significant difference. From gratitude journaling and getting enough omega 3s to improving sleep hygiene and experimenting with a gluten-free diet, I can’t wait to give these things a try!

Jo Coburn
Jo Coburn

I liked the reminder about taurine. I need to add that to the top of my list for anxiety go to’s.

Sara
Sara

As a SAFM student the pearl I walked away with is the reminder to work with the low hanging fruit, in this case sleep hygiene.

Barbara Paolone
Barbara Paolone

I love the recommendation about gratitude journaling being the easiest change for people to integrate for a mindfulness practice, and to calm the racing mind to help with sleep. I am working on sleep hygiene with one of my clients, and although trying to meditate to calm her mind, she says her mind is still racing when she is trying to fall asleep. I had suggested gratitude journaling, but now I will definitely focus on having her prioritize that. Thank you

Reta
Reta

This was a wonderful presentation of information, so many pearls , I was especially happy to hear about the magnesium. I love getting new information that I can pass on to those who struggle with anxiety or any dis Ease for that matter. Thank you kindly
Reta

Krista D
Krista D

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach ~Many pearls to take away from today . How important sleep is , soo simple but powerful . Also Food sensitivities when stacked can be the cause of heart palpitations. Also the types of magnesium specifically helpful for anxiety and overdosing of B6 contributing to Anxiety. I took away soo much great information today . Thank you!

Reka Vinginder
Reka Vinginder

Great lecture as usual. Thanks Tracy! As I’ve just finished both semesters, I’ve learned about most of the things that were mentioned. But it was a good reminder that high estrogenic states often cause anxiety. That includes low progesterone (estrogen can be normal, but progesterone too low) or trouble metabolising estrogen, like in the case of a COMT snp, or high beta glucoronidase activity which leads to estrogen being reabsorbed from the gut into the body.

Jen Anson
Jen Anson

As a health coach, I find a large piece of my work is teaching my clients how to unplug. I enjoyed how you reminded us about the complex yet simple nature of our modern lifestyle and the effects it has on our physical as well as emotional and mental health. The idea of a gratitude journal instead of mindfulness for our most anxious clients is brilliant. I also enjoyed your more clinical pearls and insights of what you see with your own clients. Thank you for your work!

Jennifer Fhurong
Jennifer Fhurong

Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge publicly. I took away a lot today. However, there are 2major pearls; gratitude journaling and the suggestion of Mag threanate and taurate supplements.

Julie Schuetz
Julie Schuetz

Thank you for sharing so much value. There were many takeaways for me. I found your discussion on the emotional results when reintroducing gluten back into a diet was very interesting, I have many notes to continue learning more about many topics you touched on today.

Angela
Angela

How do we balance cortisol levels,
When high at night?
Integrative nutrition health Coach

Melanie Kern
Melanie Kern

Hi Tracy, thank you again for your wisdom and generosity. Today’s Live was incredibly exciting and provoking! One pearl that I found very interesting and insightful was the idea of gluten causing an anger or rage response in men. That was mind blowing! I’m loving school at SAFM and am feeling the exhilaration of increased knowledge!! knowledge!!

Michelle M Cardimen
Michelle M Cardimen

Chronic inflammation natural impairs glutamate to GABA conversion. COMT gene mutation can affect the ability to break down excess adrenalin or cortisol. Glucuronidation and sulfation help break down cortisol. as well. We need appropriate gut health the right balance of protein and vitamins like B6, B9, folate to detox excess neurotransmitters and hormones.

Brandy Grantham
Brandy Grantham

Thank you Tracy! I so enjoy listening to your videos, you present information in a connected, understandable way! The bodies interconnectedness is my biggest take-away always.
Gluten sensitivity, B6 and omega are all interesting connections to mental health, as well as low cortisol, Adrenalin spikes causing increased anxiety linked to microbial gut health! WOW ?

Angela Smith
Angela Smith

Hi! I am a Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant.
I find it amazing just how much sleep (or lack thereof) affects our overall health in so many ways! As a mother of two, I don’t think I have had a restful night’s sleep in the past 18 years, and my health has been declining horrifically as a result. NOW, I know that being the stereotypical “push through the day” mom is not good for anybody! 😉