When talking about fish oil for mental health, especially depression, to my patients, I always refer to it as a “research merry-go-round.” One study will show it’s positive for mental health[1] and even for reducing mortality risk.[2] As the merry-go-round continues, there’ll be a contradictory study on mental health[3] that confuses patients and practitioners … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 37: Omega 3, fish oil and mental health
This Free and Inspired radio episode explores Omega-3, Fish oil, depression, and your mental health. Omega-3 intake and fish oil have had some confusing evidence for mental health over the years. One study will show it’s positive for mental health and even for reducing mortality risk. Then there’ll be a contradictory study on mental health that confuses patients and … [Read more...]
Article: The oral microbiome – A window to mental and digestive health?
The oral microbiome is a collection of bacterial colonies found in different parts of the mouth, including areas such as the teeth and the tonsils.[1] The oral microbiome is the second most diverse bacterial environment, only to the large intestine and the colon. In fact, the digestive tract and the mouth combined house around sixty per cent of the total bacteria in our … [Read more...]
Article: Meditation for mental health in 2022?
A question asked many times over the last decade is whether meditation is more effective than medication in managing your mental health and health in general. I put together a small workup about meditation’s role in the brain when taking some personal responsibility for stress. In that article, I promised I would do a deeper dive and feel the time is right, so here we … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 34: Meditation in 2022
Is meditation more effective than medication in managing your mental health and health in general in 2022? Lifestyle practices such as meditation are the cornerstone of taking control of your health. Systematic reviews on meditation have also found beneficial effects on anxiety, depression and chronic pain scores. Not only this, but physical effects are also … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 33: One dietary change can improve your executive function
How can one small dietary change immediately benefits your quality of life through the lens of your cognitive executive function? Click here to read the full article, or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your favourite platform! In this Free and Inspired radio episode, learn about what executive functions are, how they relate to the quality of your day and … [Read more...]
Article: One diet change benefits executive function and quality of life.
Have you ever heard of executive function? It’s the term used to classify our most important cognitive abilities. These abilities include working memory, your ability to say no, flexibility, planning for a goal, reasoning and solving problems.[1] What does this mean in the real world? It’s many things we aspire to have when our health isn’t where we want it to be. For … [Read more...]
Article: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for mental health?
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a nutritional compound that seems beneficial for mental health and everything in between. Or at least that’s how the initial research presented. Let’s look into how it might help you. NAC, as it’s usually known, is a popular over-the-counter supplement and FDA-approved drug used for paracetamol overdose.[1] Interest in NAC’s use spans … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 32: NAC for mental health.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a nutritional compound that seems beneficial for mental health and a variety of other conditions such as fatty liver, PCOS and gut issues. This episode of Free and Inspired radio focuses on the role that NAC can play in some mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and addiction. NAC is an amino acid and has multiple actions in … [Read more...]
Article: Magnesium: Deficient in many, essential to all.
When it comes to magnesium and its role in around six hundred different biochemical reactions in the body, essential is an understatement. In this article, we’re going to break down some of the key reasons this vital mineral is one of the first interventions for me when patients initially visit me. We’ll look at some of the different forms, which one is best to take if … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 26: Magnesium is deficient for some, essential for all.
When it comes to magnesium and its role in around six hundred different biochemical reactions in the body, essential is an understatement. In this episode, we’re going to break down some of the key reasons magnesium is one of the first interventions when patients initially visit the clinic. Issues with not getting enough magnesium in the diet seem to be ubiquitous … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 22: Chocolate and polyphenols – harness the benefits!
Chocolate is healthy, right? This Free and Inspired radio episode will look at how chocolate and its ingredients got their healthy reputation. The Mayans presented what we now know as “hot chocolate” to Emperor Moctezuma II as the “Food of the Gods” by the Aztecs. In fact, the Latin name for chocolate, Theobroma cacao L., means Food of the Gods! Ever … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 17: Can probiotics help your brain and mental health?
The answer is yes, probiotics can be beneficial for your brain and mental health. It's essential, though, to understand where the research is at. That's what we're going to be looking at in this Free and Inspired radio episode. Want to read the full breakdown in an e-book? Simply sign up to our newsletter for your free copy or scroll down to listen to the podcast on your … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 15: Three questions to begin actively managing your stress.
"Everyone tells me to manage my stress as it's affecting my health. Honestly, I don't know where to start or what managing my stress even means?!" In this Free and Inspired radio episode, Philip deconstructs stress and offers better questions to ask to start managing it. Stress, by definition, occurs when the balance or stasis of the body is affected by something either … [Read more...]
FIR Episode 14: What is a leaky gut, and does it affect the brain and gut?
Do you have "leaky gut?" “The title says it all. I remember walking through an airport and seeing the caption on the front of Women's Health and smiling as it seemed to have finally crossed over into the public vernacular.” Of course, this was when we could fly freely, as a side note. The term "leaky gut" and its symptoms and causes are becoming highly ambiguous … [Read more...]