• Nutrition For a Healthy Nervous System

  • Allow the Body to Heal Itself by Supporting its Natural Healing Processes

    We are now living in the age of processed foods, increased toxin exposure, as well as rampant antibiotic use, which have contributed to an epidemic of gut-related issues, inflammation in the brain causing cognitive and emotional symptoms, blockages in the liver/gallbladder, and autoimmune illness.  It is becoming common knowledge that illness usually begins in the gut, as approximately 75% of our immune system is located here.  Our digestive system is where our bacteria and immune system meet.  Issues here can manifest as a host of emotional and physical illnesses.
     
    By going back to a natural whole foods diet, we can heal our guts and the numerous conditions which arise from gut dysfunction.  Many symptoms are a result of toxin excess and nutrient deficiency.  The good news is that they can be helped with an anti-inflammatory healthy diet.  However, simply changing our diet without guidance isn't always enough.  Having a guide (who has gone through this journey as well) can make a huge difference in your outcome. 

  • Fruits, Root Veggies, & Orange Juice

    For some people, a short term simple diet with fruits, vegetables, and juicing can be helpful in lowering inflammation and increasing emotional resiliency as well as physical health. 

    While diets like this are not sustainable in the long run, a short term lowering of inflammation using this method is often effective.

    The hydration offered through the distilled waters of fruits & veggies along with the electrolytes significantly improve all processes in the body since they require water as a medium.

  • If you've tried everything to improve your mental and physical health...

    *I would recommend getting your blood glucose and insulin levels checked.  Even if they are in the normal range, you may benefit tremendously from switching to a low inflammation diet and by adjusting your carbohydrate levels (up or down) according to your individual needs.  

    Usually, whatever your dietary needs are, the addition of 1 cucumber juice per day can improve hydration and body processes to work more effectively.  In addition, the anti-inflammatory and cooling effects of cucumber juice can decrease pain.  It can also take the edge off of any inflammatory condition, hot flashes, & even insomnia.  

  • If you have sensitivity to sugar from fruits, just juice cucumber by itself or purchase it this way.  You can add some lemon if you like.  It's so pleasant and refreshing!

    *This is not medical advice.  I am simply sharing general education material.  If you have a medical condition that requires medical attention, please see your doctor or nutritionist/dietitian for healthcare.

  • Heal Your Metabolism: Eat for Energy

    I have explored many diets over the past 25 years in an effort to improve my health.  Of all the diets I've tried, there is one that so far has avoided all the pitfalls of previous diets I've tried and the one I think is most sustainable life long for many people: A Ray Peat Inspired Diet, which is a bioenergetics diet that is also flexible to meet your individual needs. 

    The reasons behind this diet are both brilliant and complex.  However, the application of it is much easier.  It is basically using easily digestible carbohydrates for energy, while also getting nutrition from organic animal products. 

    It's also very important to avoid PUFAs, or Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (mostly found in vegetable oils), as they are behind most chronic health conditions.

  • The philosophy is aimed at improving our metabolism and thyroid health, so the body can run most efficiently to carry out the processes it is already capable of when at optimal energy and metabolism.  This is a carbohydrate based diet and calorie restriction is to be avoided, as it can tank metabolism and thyroid function.

    *This diet is not for everyone, but could be especially helpful for those who are hypothyroid as well as many people who aren't.  I suggest reading Ray Peat's articles directly on his website and decide for yourself and with the assistance of your health care practitioner.  Ray Peat, now 85 years old and in still good health, is a biochemist and was a physiology and endocrinology professor, so these articles are very biochemistry heavy and not light reads.  Kate Deering has summarized Ray's principles in her book "How to Heal Your Metabolism" for easier understanding for those who are just beginning.

    *Please check with your health care provider before adopting any new diet:

    *There are people for whom high carb or low carb are not safe or effective.  One potential side effect of a ketogenic diet can affect serotonin levels in the brain, which can decrease mood and cause insomnia.  A keto diet can also tank your thyroid function, adrenals, and metabolism.  I do not recommend a keto diet for most people.  However, it has been shown to be effective for many people who deal with seizures.  Of course, speak with your doctor.

  • Emotional Support during Diet Changes

    As we heal our brains and bodies, our emotional reactions will get stirred up, as many of us have used foods to numb ourselves from feeling our pains and traumas. 
     
    It can be significantly helpful to engage in emotional support during diet changes.  Somatic Experiencing can be used in conjunction with your healing journey to support emotions that may arise. 
     
     

  • When the blood-brain barrier is inflamed, particles that should not enter our brains pass through, causing emotional and cognitive symptoms.  An anti-inflammatory diet can also significantly repair a damaged gut and leaky blood-brain barrier to keep these particles out. 

  • Taking the Next Step towards Health...

    Healing is possible when we have the right information, protocols and support.  We will recommend books and videos as supplemental learning along with the consultations.
     
    Diet and lifestyle changes can reduce a myriad of physical and mental symptoms.  
     
    We can guide you with specific steps and troubleshooting along the way, including emotional support.  We will walk this path with you, as we've been there before and found a way out:

  • Story: A Guy Falls in a Hole

    There's a great scene in The West Wing in which Josh Lyman, the Deputy Chief of Staff, is struggling with trauma and has the following conversation with Leo McGarry after seeing a therapist who diagnosed him with an eating disorder:

    This guy’s walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can’t get out. A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, “Hey you, can you help me out?” The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up “Father, I’m down in this hole, can you help me out?” The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. “Hey Joe, it’s me, can you help me out?” And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, “Are you stupid? Now we’re both down here.” The friend says, “Yeah, but I’ve been down here before, and I know the way out.” 

    Nina has spent 20+ years constantly studying nutrition and sharing it with others.  She wishes to share this depth of knowledge with you and help walk you out of the healing challenge you are currently in.  May you live with ease and joy.  

     

  • Somatic Experiencing facilitates resolution of trauma responses.

    We can’t always think our way out of traumatic experiences. A personal guide can help. I will go with you to the hard places and show you the way out.

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  • Contact & Hours:

    • Nina offers Online Individual Coaching Sessions for Somatic Experiencing as well as Somatic Self-Inquiry & Integration.™  Please read the entire Contact Page to learn about our services before contacting us.
    • In the future, we will have a self-guided online course available.  Please subscribe to be notified when it is available.
    • Our email address is: thesomaticpt@protonmail.com

  • Address:

    • This is currently an Online Coaching Practice, which is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (New York Time). 
    • *Coaching is not psychotherapy and it does not treat mental disorders.  If a mental disorder is suspected, you will be given a referral for a mental health professional.