Neurotransmitter Support
How does that work?
 Neurotrans-mitters define our moods, actions, and health. The importance of neurotrans-mitters transcends their role in the brain. Organs throughout the body are connected to the brain via a vast network of neurons. The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell the heart to beat, the lungs to breathe, and the intestines to digest. This is known as the autonomic nervous system. Nowhere in nature does there exist another class of molecules with such importance and biological influence as the
neurotransmitters. They control the on/off switches of the nervous system, but the concept is not quite that simple. Some neurotransmitters are more likely to facilitate the transmission of certain messages and are considered "excitatory". Likewise, some neurotransmitters are more likely to impede the transmission of certain messages and are considered "inhibitory". Serotonin is one of the primary inhibitory NT's and allows us to relax and let down to prepare for our sleep cycles, without it or without enough of it one can experience sleep disorders as well as depression. Many people are taking the SSRI's and anti depression medications for these symptoms. We want you to know and understand how and why Neurotransmitters get out of "whack" and what can be done naturally to restore them.
Through simple urine testing Dr. Cathy can assist you in finding out what your neurotransmitter levels are and if necessary into a regime of Natural Amino Acid precursors together with vitamins, minerals and specific nutrients made by Neuroscience to help get your nervous system back in balance! If you'd like to learn more about how neurotransmitters work ask Dr. Cathy or visit Neuroscience's website!
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Are you over-tired?
Here are some helpful tips to get better rest!
1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.
Our sleep-wake cycle is regulated by a "circadian clock" in our brain and the body's need to balance both sleep time and wake time. A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function and can help with sleep onset at night. That is also why it is important to keep a regular bedtime and wake-time, even on the weekends when there is the temptation to sleep-in.
2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
A relaxing, routine activity right before bedtime conducted away from bright lights helps separate your sleep time from activities that can cause excitement, stress or anxiety which can make it more difficult to fall asleep, get sound and deep sleep or remain asleep. Avoid arousing activities before bedtime like working, paying bills, engaging in competitive games or family problem-solving. Some studies suggest that soaking in hot water (such as a hot tub or bath) before retiring to bed can ease the transition into deeper sleep, but it should be done early enough that you are no longer sweating or over-heated. If you are unable to avoid tension and stress, it may be helpful to learn relaxation therapy from a trained professional. Finally, avoid exposure to bright before bedtime because it signals the neurons that help control the sleep-wake cycle that it is time to awaken, not to sleep.
3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep - cool, quiet, dark, comfortable and free of interruptions. Also make your bedroom reflective of the value you place on sleep. Check your room for noise or other distractions, including a bed partner's sleep disruptions such as snoring, light, and a dry or hot environment. Consider using blackout curtains, eye shades, ear plugs, "white noise," humidifiers, fans and other devices.
4. Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. The one you have been using for years may have exceeded its life expectancy - about 9 or 10 years for most good quality mattresses. Have comfortable pillows and make the room attractive and inviting for sleep but also free of allergens that might affect you and objects that might cause you to slip or fall if you have to get up during the night.
5. Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex.
It is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment. Use your bed only for sleep and sex to strengthen the association between bed and sleep. If you associate a particular activity or item with anxiety about sleeping, omit it from your bedtime routine. For example, if looking at a bedroom clock makes you anxious about how much time you have before you must get up, move the clock out of sight. Do not engage in activities that cause you anxiety and prevent you from sleeping.
6. Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime.
Eating or drinking too much may make you less comfortable when settling down for bed. It is best to avoid a heavy meal too close to bedtime. Also, spicy foods may cause heartburn, which leads to difficulty falling asleep and discomfort during the night. Try to restrict fluids close to bedtime to prevent nighttime awakenings to go to the bathroom, though some people find milk or herbal, non-caffeinated teas to be soothing and a helpful part of a bedtime routine.
7. Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
In general, exercising regularly makes it easier to fall asleep and contributes to sounder sleep. However, exercising sporadically or right before going to bed will make falling asleep more difficult. In addition to making us more alert, our body temperature rises during exercise, and takes as much as 6 hours to begin to drop. A cooler body temperature is associated with sleep onset... Finish your exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime. Late afternoon exercise is the perfect way to help you fall asleep at night.
8. Avoid caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it can produce an alerting effect. Caffeine products, such as coffee, tea, colas and chocolate, remain in the body on average from 3 to 5 hours, but they can affect some people up to 12 hours later. Even if you do not think caffeine affects you, it may be disrupting and changing the quality of your sleep. Avoiding caffeine within 6-8 hours of going to bed can help improve sleep quality.
9. Avoid nicotine (e.g. cigarettes, tobacco products). Used close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.
Nicotine is also a stimulant. Smoking before bed makes it more difficult to fall asleep. When smokers go to sleep, they experience withdrawal symptoms from nicotine, which also cause sleep problems. Nicotine can cause difficulty falling asleep, problems waking in the morning, and may also cause nightmares. Difficulty sleeping is just one more reason to quit smoking. And never smoke in bed or when sleepy!
10. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
Although many people think of alcohol as a sedative, it actually disrupts sleep, causing nighttime awakenings. Consuming alcohol leads to a night of less restful sleep.
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Zone 3
The Nervous Zone
The cerebrum, the upper part of the brain, is the seat of the THIRD ZONE. It is the part of the brain that controls our thoughts and emotions and is divided into two distinct halves called hemispheres. The hemispheres of the cerebrum have no connection whatever with each other until we get down to a great, underlying, transverse bridge, known as the corpus calosum, containing millions of transverse nerve lines over which the working interchange takes place between the two hemispheres. Energy flows over the lines of nerves in measurable form and quantity, and a similar energy exists in cells, ganglia, and tissue masses of the brain and throughout the nervous system. This energy, when it becomes kinetic, that is to say when it flows, activates the machinery of the mind.
The nervous system, from the apex of the brain to the tips of the fingers and toes and on through the plexuses to the glands and vital organs of the body, is mechanically a united whole. The basic, elemental substances of the brain and nervous system are nerve cells, nerve fiber, and nerve tissue of several kinds. No nerve in the body is more than three feet long, each length of nerve being equipped with a receiving and a discharging terminal. When a current is passing over a nerve route, as for instance, from the brain to the big toe, it passes through relay stations, some of which are known as plexuses, while the simpler, non-functioning relay points are called synapses.
The nerve impulses that the brain and body use to communicate actually occur fast! Very fast!!! 186,300 miles per second, which you might remember from High School Science class is the SPEED OF LIGHT!
Wow now we can put some things together, The Brain responds to our thoughts, emotions and of course to physical and mental stimuli.
Do you know that when your brain recieves outside information there are trillions of processes taking place internally, even if you aren't the one experiencing the event. For instance when we watch a movie whatever we see on that movie will elicit specific chemicals, nerve impulses, organ secretions, etc just as if you or I were there and the event was happening to us. Your brain responds to happy, sad or traumatic events just as if it were you experiencing them. When certain ideas and emotions are stimulated, like a thought of being late to work or worrying that we could have a wreck on a busy highway (not in Atlanta). Not only does the brain respond as if this is happening to us in the conscious but the subconscious can actually begin to manifest the symptoms of a traumatic event or the symptoms of a cold, makes you wonder about the advertising during the flu season. This gives the suggestions we recieve from the outside world a whole new status as it relates to our health and an even better reason to "Think, Talk and Act healthy. Using constructive thought patterns to influence our marvelous brains and stimulate healthy responses in place of fearful ones.
The CENTER in the brain which is in control of the NERVOUS ZONE may be out of harmony with the other parts of the zone due to many causes, and when this occurs, certain phenomena may be observed. A correction of the zone will bring about an improvement, not only in the entire nervous system but in various organs associated with the zone. As you know the Nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of the mind and the body. This is the basis of Chiropractic and the results of keeping this beautiful and necessary system working perfectly speaks for itself. Try working with your Nerve Zone by giving it the things it needs to work for you. |
Stress Reducing Foods!
Who knew stress reduction could be so simple!
There's no such thing as a chill pill, but these foods contain body-boosting nutrients that help soothe stressed-out nerves. (Talk to Dr. Cathy about proper dosages if you take supplements; it is possible to get too much of a good thing.)
Stress Fighters
Avocados, baked potatoes (with skin), bananas, chickpeas, yellow-fin tuna
Helpful Nutrient
Vitamin B6
Why It Helps
Stress depletes B6, which helps produce serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter.
Stress Fighters
Clams, milk (fat-free), plain yogurt (fat-free), salmon, sardines
Helpful Nutrient
Vitamin B12
Why It Helps
Along with other B vitamins, B12 helps form GABA, a calming neurotransmitter.
Stress Fighters
Asparagus, chickpeas, lentils, oatmeal, orange juice
Helpful Nutrient
Folate (folic acid)
Why It Helps
Folic acid helps make dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.
Stress Fighters
Almonds, amaranth, spinach, sunflower seeds, tofu, wild rice
Helpful Nutrient
Magnesium
Why It Helps
Stress depletes magnesium, which stimulates the production of GABA and helps make dopamine.
Stress Fighters
Broccoli, brussels sprouts, orange juice, red and green peppers, strawberries
Helpful Nutrient
Vitamin C
Why It Helps
Vitamin C boosts your immune system and fights brain-cell damage resulting from constant exposure to cortisol. |
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Greetings!