Amino Acids in Mental Health by Vanita Dahia Communication within the brain & between the brain & the rest of the nervous system occurs through chemical “languages” called neurotransmitters. The central nervous system is almost completely regulated by amino acids & peptides. Amino acids needed to manufacture neurotransmitters Amino Acid …
Are your Genes Affecting Appetite and Weight? by Vanita Dahia There are certain genes that have the potential to impact how we perceive and desire particular foods, and influence our eating behaviours, such as excessive snacking and difficulty feeling full. For example, variants in the ANKK1 and DRD2 genes, which result in a reduced density …
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) by Vanita Dahia Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition of increased number of bacteria present in the small intestine. SIBO is a subset of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). SIBO affects between 10% and 15% of the population globally. It is estimated that over 50% of patients diagnosed with …
GUT Microbiome by Vanita Dahia The gut microbiome is a complex community of microbial organisms living in the small and large intestine. This microbial community is made up of a hundred trillion microorganisms containing more than 1000 different species. The microbiome is made up of bacteria predominantly, together with yeasts, viruses and parasites all collectively …
Exercise, Hot Flushes, Sweating and Iodine Deficiency by Vanita Dahia Doesn’t it feel amazing to have a good sweat after a session of exercise? Fed up of sweating during menopause? Constantly sweating irrespective of the temperature? Generally, most people tend to sweat when they have exerted themselves during exercise, live in humid environments, or are …
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The Importance of Glutamate before you Eat that next Piece of Steak by Vanita Dahia What does aggression, schizophrenia, motor neurone disease, seizures, ADD have in common? Glutamate from your humble steak! Gluatamate is the most powerful excitatory neurotransmitter that is released by nerve cells in the brain. Over-excitation of these neurons can cause …
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The Impact of Mould on Allergies and Health by Vanita Dahia Allergic reactions of progressively increasing not only to food but also to environmental pollutants, volatile solvents, dust mites, plant pollens and mould. An allergy is a hyperactive response of the immune system which will initiate a histamine mediated inflammatory response. Typically, symptoms may occur …
Indigestion vs Hypochlorhydria by Vanita Dahia Seeing, smelling, tasting or thinking about food signals the appetite regulatory hormones in the brain to stimulate hunger, salivate, and initiate the release of digestive enzymes. The anticipation of eating begins the process of digestion with biliary, enzyme and acid secretions. Digestion plays a key role in preparation …
Harnessing the Vagus Nerve and Vagal Stimulation by Vanita Dahia Heard of the gut-brain connection? Stomach in a knot when depressed? Changes in bowel habits when anxious or stressed? Pains in the gut when worried? The connection between the gut and the brain is gaining much repute within the published research. The value of …
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Oh Bummer! How does Disappointment Affect Mood? by Vanita Dahia Things not working out your way? On a downer? Feeling down or disappointed? When things don’t work out the way we expect them to, we might feel overwhelmed or saddened by circumstances. That downer feeling involves neurotransmitters becoming imbalanced and changes in neural firing underpinning …
