Nutrition for Mental Heath
February 10-11, 2024
Speakers
Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, FACN, CNS, IFMCP – “Food & Mood: Scientific Understanding and Clinical Strategies” (Professional & Public Tracks)
Food is medicine. However, what most people don't realize is that there is much more that goes into the selection of food, including one’s mood and behavior. In this presentation, learn about the cutting-edge published science that supports the interrelationship between food and mood, and how to apply these findings in clinical practice. Attendees will gather insights about the role of nutrition in mental health, whether mood defines food selection or if nutrients change food choices, how stress and emotions mediate one's relationship with food, and, finally, a definition of emotional eating and clinical strategies to help patients overcome their challenges in this area.
Deanna Minich, PhD, is a nutrition scientist, educator, and author with more than twenty years of experience in academia and in the natural product industries, currently serving as Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health. She has been active as a functional medicine clinician in clinical trials and in her own practice (Food & Spirit™). She is the author of six consumer books on wellness topics, four book chapters, and over fifty scientific publications. Through her talks, workshops, groups, and in-person retreats, she helps people to transform their lives practically and artfully through nutrition and lifestyle. Visit her at: www.deannaminich.com
Anna Froman, ND, MScN – “The Physiology and Psychology of Stress Eating” (Professional & Public Tracks)
Stress eating is a conglomeration of biological and psychological influences. Altered hormones, neurotransmitters, and learned behavior all play a role in seeking comfort in food. This lecture will break apart the underlying physiological changes and psychological triggers that stress can cause that may result in grabbing a pint of ice cream or ordering take out instead of eating the vegetables in the fridge.
Anna Froman is a graduate of NUNM's doctorate of naturopathic medicine and master's of science in nutrition programs. She practices in central Maine (Foundations Naturopathic Health - website foundationsnd.com), where she combines nutrition education with naturopathic treatment. Strongly believing that health is a hands-on approach, she teaches Healthy Cooking and Eating classes at the local hospital's Prevention and Healthy Living Center.
Jess Zadra, MS, CNS – “Nutrients for Neurotransmitters - Lifting Mood Through Food!” (Professional & Public Tracks)
This presentation will explore how the foods we eat on a daily basis provide us with the nutrients we need to ensure proper neurotransmitter synthesis. We’ll cover the specific nutrients that support specific neurotransmitter productions such as catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) serotonin, etc. - how they support this production, and ultimately, what foods are the highest and most bioavailable for each of the nutrients. The presentation will provide dietary takeaways that those struggling with depression can focus on to ensure adequate intake of the nutrients discussed.
Jess Zadra, MS, CNS is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and holds a MS degree in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine. She is an experienced nutritionist who has been practicing clinically for several years as a part of multiple integrative functional medicine teams. In addition to her one-on-one work with clients, Jess is particularly passionate about mental health and creating educational content to help others discover the power of food in transforming their mood.
Emily Wolbers, ND – “Anxiety Through a Biopsychosocial Lens” (Professional & Public Tracks)
Anxiety is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. Typically, only 25-30% of people experience relief in symptoms from pharmacologic & psychotherapy interventions alone. With this knowledge in mind, clinicians must look at anxiety through a biopsychosocial lens and address the physical, mental, and social factors that cause the prevalence of anxiety.
In this lecture, we explore how inflammation, metabolism, microbiome, and nutrition play a role in the pathogenesis of anxiety. We discuss nutritional interventions clinicians can take to support mental health, including trialed ingredients to cut out and specific nutrients to add in. The inventions discussed are through the lens of supporting anti-inflammatory pathways and appropriate microbial balance, as well as how to view anxiety as a disorder of metabolism.
Dr. Emily Wolbers received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine & a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Bradley University. She opened her private practice, QC Natural Health, in 2018, which currently has two locations: one in Portland, Oregon and the other in Davenport, IA, both with a focus on gastrointestinal health, specifically the gut-brain connection, holistic nutrition, and the microbiome. She serves as an NUNM preceptor where she supervises students in her private practice. Dr. Wolbers also facilitates mindfulness & yoga in the community and often brings this medicine into her treatment plans.
Heather Hydzik, ND – “The Future of Mental Wellbeing: Harnessing Nutrition and Neurotransmitters for a Brighter Tomorrow” (Professional Track)
In the United States, approximately 1 in 4 adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder; and mental illness will affect up to half of all Americans at some point within their lifetime. When pharmaceuticals – the conventional first line of treatment –fall short, there is need for a different approach to mental wellbeing that can be used alongside or in lieu of medication. A growing body of evidence supports nutritional strategies to improve mood and mental health including dietary changes, vitamin supplementation, herbal medicines, amino acid therapy, and nutraceuticals. One mechanism of action underlying the effectiveness of these approaches is that they can improve neurotransmitter balance. While a recent systemic review of the evidence found that depression is not always associated with low serotonin, there are in fact a multitude of different neurotransmitter patterns and other underlying causes such as inflammation and nutrient deficient diets that can contribute to mental disorders. Testing urinary neurotransmitters can elucidate a patient’s unique balance and help guide the provider in selection of effective nutritional interventions.
Dr. Hydzik is a naturopathic physician who provides functional solutions for patients with concerns involving hormone and neurotransmitter balance, digestive health, metabolic syndrome, fatigue/stress, insomnia, and more. In addition to seeing patients at Inspire Your Health, Dr. Hydzik is a staff doctor in the Clinical Education department at Doctor’s Data. Her bachelor’s degree is in psychology from University of Southern California, and she earned her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and certificate of midwifery at National College of Natural Medicine. She completed a residency in naturopathic primary care near Seattle.
Dr. Hydzik’s past work includes delivering babies in Bali and outreach work at a Chicago non-profit that served houseless individuals struggling with mental illness. During the pandemic, Dr. Hydzik volunteered at a Covid-19 vaccine clinic run by Oregon Health and Science University. She has spoken at numerous conferences: the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Annual Conference in 2021, the Institute of Women’s Health and Integrative Medicine conference in January and October 2021 and July 2022, the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians’ CONNECT 2021, and the New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors in 2021.
Jamie Menzel, MScN, CN (she/her) – “The Use of Elimination Diets for Mental Health: A Critical Exploration” (Professional Track)
This presentation will explore the fascinating connection between nutrition and mental health, with a special focus on the use of elimination diets to improve symptoms commonly associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Current scientific literature will be explored to discuss the potential benefits of identifying and eliminating dietary triggers that may negatively impact mental health, with special attention paid to the role of chronic inflammation and the gut-brain axis. Alongside the potential benefits, this presentation will also explore the inherent risks associated with restrictive dietary patterns, including the development or exacerbation of nutrient deficiencies and the relatively high potential for the development of eating disorders. This thorough and nuanced presentation will leave symposium attendees with a greater understanding of the impact of dietary choices on overall mental health, as well as increased appreciation for both the utility and limitations of using elimination diets in the prevention and treatment of several common mental health concerns.
Jamie Menzel, MScN, CN (she/her) is a mental health focused functional nutritionist and clinical herbalist with a background in harm reduction, size inclusion, and trauma-informed care. Jamie currently specializes in the use of nutrition and herbal medicine to help prevent and improve symptoms related to a variety of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Jamie enjoys research and is currently working as the Graduate Assistant within the Nutrition Department at NUNM, as well as seeing clients privately at an integrative health clinic in Portland, Oregon.
Ian Rubin, MA, Creator/Coach/Educator, Food Story Coaching® - "Relationship with food is vital to mental health. Exploring your Food Story can help!" (Professional & Public Tracks)
Event Information
Schedule:
Professional Track:
Saturday, 2/10
Sunday, 2/11
8:00 a.m
Check-in Opens
8:30-10:00
Jamie Menzel
Heather Hydzik
10:00-10:30
Break; Exhibit Hall Open
Break
10:30-12:00
Jess Zadra
Ian Rubin
12:00-1:00
Lunch; Exhibit Hall Open
12:00-12:30
1:00-2:30
Deanna Minich
12:30-2:00
Anna Froman
2:30-3:00
2:00-2:30
Closing Remarks
3:00-4:30
Emily Wolbers
Public Track:
8:00 a.m.
9:00-10:00
10:30-11:30
11:30-12:30
12:30-1:30
1:30-2:00
2:00-3:00
3:00-3:30
3:30-4:30
Live Event and Webinar Details:
Professional Track Continuing Education Credits:
Early Bird Registration:
Register before January 15, 2024 to save!
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