Psych Services

B Vitamin production

Methylation is a simple process in your body of moving from one substance in your body to another. When the process is optimal it can affect DNA production, neurotransmitter production, detoxification, histamine production, estrogen metabolism, eye health, fat metabolism, cellular energy, and liver health. It is an IMPORTANT process that allows the body to work properly and can turn biological switches on and off. If you are taking an antidepressant this process is interrupted. SAMe is part of the process of methylation and it readily donates its methyl group to other compounds within the body, thereby facilitating the proper functioning of cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, and detoxification systems. SAMe is dependent on one switch being turned on by a critical B vitamin, 5-MTHF. If 5-MTHF is present the methylation cycle will perform efficiently. 

Unfortunately, 60% of the United States has a genetic mutation that makes it difficult for your body to produce 5-MTHF. When the methylation switch is deactivated, leading to insufficient SAMe production, a cascade of crucial molecules is hindered, impacting various physiological processes. These molecules include Glutathione, a potent antioxidant that aids in detoxification, Coenzyme Q10, essential for energy production in cells, and Melatonin, regulating sleep-wake cycles. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter vital for mood and cognition, Nitric Oxide, which supports cardiovascular health, and Norepinephrine and Epinephrine, involved in stress responses, are also affected. Additionally, L-Carnitine, crucial for fatty acid metabolism, and amino acids like Cysteine and Taurine, important for various bodily functions, suffer when SAMe production is compromised. 

The mutation can be determined by a simple blood test, MTHFR, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, the enzyme used to create 5-MTHF. There is a supplement you can take if you have this deficiency and it is L-methylfolate which can help with sleep depression and anxiety. 

In the pursuit of optimal methylation cycle performance, seven essential nutrients play a pivotal role, ensuring efficiency even in individuals with genetic mutations that may impede the methylation process. These nutrients include 5-MTHF (active folate), which aids in the activation of folate, Methylcobalamin (active vitamin B12) crucial for methylation reactions, Pyridoxal 5’-Phosphate (active vitamin B6) supporting various enzymatic processes, Riboflavin 5’-Phosphate (active vitamin B2) essential for energy metabolism. Additionally, the inclusion of magnesium contributes to the activation of numerous enzymes, while Betaine, facilitates the transfer of methyl groups. Finally, Vitamin D plays a vital role in regulating gene expression, further enhancing the methylation cycle’s efficiency. These nutrients collectively ensure that methylation processes can operate optimally, promoting overall health and well-being.
To support your overall health and well-being, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet that emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods. In addition to these dietary principles, incorporating a variety of specific foods into your meals can be highly beneficial. Include a generous portion of nutrient-rich foods such as asparagus, avocados, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green leafy vegetables, legumes (including peas, beans, and lentils), and rice. These foods not only provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber but also contribute to a diverse and nutritious diet that can help you thrive and maintain good health.

NAD

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) also affects brain function. A shortage may cause insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Several factors have the potential to decrease our NAD+ levels, including exposure to environmental toxins, smoking, and the consumption of alcohol. The NAD+ decreases with age, by middle age the levels have decreased to half of our youth. If we boost NAD+, it increases insulin sensitivity, reverses mitochondrial dysfunction (creating energy), and may extend your life! We offer IV NAD+ and NAD+ SQ injections at our functional medicine Nashville office at The Art of Healing. 

Ozone for Depression and Anxiety

Ozone is a concept unknown to the world. Ironically before the invention of big pharma that is what was used to heal people in the 1800s. Ozone is an energized form of oxygen that contains 3 atoms of oxygen rather than the two atoms we normally breathe ozone is one of the best healing agents, detoxifiers, and sterilizers when used in medicine. It is much more common in Europe than in the United States it can be used as preventative especially in the elderly as natural degeneration takes place as well as the chronically ill or therapy-resistant. A study done in 2023, used ozone to see if they could improve anxiety and depression in cancer patients and they found a significant improvement in anxiety and depression (Clavo et al., 2023). We offer IV Ozone as well as ozone insufflation at our functional medicine Nashville office at The Art of Healing. 

Well World app

We have an amazing application you can download to your phone called Well World. The Well World is a sophisticated application that will connect to the health app from Apple and Fitbit for monitoring activity, heart rate, active energy, heart rate variability, sleep workouts, and weight. Patient outcomes can be significantly improved if they can commit to adding lifestyle modifications and an individualized plan was made available through a wellness application called Well World. Once you become a patient, please ask us about Well World!!