We’ve been taught to believe that depression and anxiety are the result of chemical imbalances in the brain … that are best treated pharmaceutically … without any consideration for what was actually causing the imbalances in the first place.
That’s the mainstream medical model.
New research (over the last twenty years) is showing that inflammation in the body and brain — which most likely begins in the gut — is an underlying cause of mood disturbances like depression.
This new model for understanding mood disorders is being validated in animal studies, human studies, and most importantly in clinical experience with patients.
Healing Begins in the Gut
As I’ve shared before this new opportunity for healing begins in the gut — repairing the microbial balance and healing the intestinal lining — and was discussed recently in From Drugs to Bugs.
Dr. Kelly Brogan is a psychiatrist who speaks eloquently about this new model for understanding depression and other brain and neurological issues. Here she is in a four minute video on the topic.
Often this Gut-Brain-Immune approach tends to focus primarily on diet and supplementation to support healing. What’s often missed are the internal strategies for addressing the stress response which when engaged will negate our attempts to heal.
If the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is geared towards ‘fight or flight’ and away from ‘rest and digest’ then no amount of probiotic substance or any other gut healing agent or practice will overcome that fundamental imbalance.
On the other hand, when we restore ANS balance through Self-Regulation practices gene expression affecting our biochemistry changes, blood flow to the lining of the intestine normalizes, more ideal gut motility returns, and digestive juices are reconstituted allowing the diet and supplementation strategies to work effectively.
Detoxification is a Good Jump Start
A good way to begin restoring biochemical balance (in addition to your Self-Regulation practice) is to rest and cleanse your digestive organs. Last summer my wife Eileen and I did a 28 day cleanse using a Xymogen protocol consisting of an elimination diet and detoxifying shakes and supplements.
While that protocol is always available a newly designed 6 day cleanse has just been released by Xymogen. It’s a combination of detoxifying products and diet guidance with full instructions for jump starting your healing in 6 days.
Xymogen’s Detox Renewal Kit is designed to enhance the body’s cleansing and detoxification capabilities. When taken together, as recommended within the 6-Day Detox Guide, these complementary formulas work in concert to encourage the various detox-linked systems and organs to process and eliminate waste and toxins.
Here’s what’s included supplying antioxidant activity, detoxification, gastrointestinal support, immune system support, liver support and anti-inflammatory support:
- ColonX
- Drainage
- ProbioMax Daily DF
- OptiCleanse GHI
- 6-Day Detox Guide
***Here’ a detailed fact sheet for the Detox Renewal Kit
Steven Templin, D.O.M., Dipl. Ac. offers a comprehensive mind-body program for addressing the underlying inflammation, toxicities, and stress-induced causes of most pain and illness.
He places special emphasis on resolving the stress response and repairing adrenal gland and digestive system function to address the root causes of many common and often difficult to treat illnesses.
Whether in office or online he shares effective and inexpensive assessment tools and proven protocols for healing the Gut-Brain-Immune Axis.
He translates emerging research in the fields of Epigenetics, Energy Psychology, and Functional Nutrition into effective practices that you can perform at home.
You can work with Dr. Templin online, or in his Lakeland, Florida office at the Natural Medicine Center. You can visit his website at www.stevetemplin.com and contact him via email at drtemplin@gmail.com.
You can schedule a nutritional consultation via phone here or an office visit with Dr. Templin by calling 863-838-2779.
Steve is a retired Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, and HeartMath Trauma-Sensitive Certified Practitioner with over 35 years of clinical experience in Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, and Biofeedback.