Why do we need a Nutrition & Brain-Health Clinic?
Nutritious Minds Consulting is a unique, W1-based consultancy taking food as its starting point to assess insufficiencies in brain-selective nutrients as well as food allergies and intolerances. It adopts a holistic, personalised, evidence-based, integrative approach to psychological and psychiatric health. The consultancy was jointly founded by Neuropsychologist and Nutritionist, Dr Rachel V. Gow and Psychiatrist, Dr Balu Pitchiah.
1 in 4 people in the UK – that’s 16 million of us – experience a mental health problem each year. The problem seems daunting, and yet common symptoms related to diagnoses of depression, anxiety, ADHD and anti-social behaviour can be unknowingly linked to neurochemical and neurobiological factors - all of which implicate nutrition. Leading scientists believe that inflammation of the brain is linked to poor mental health.
We believe that it is time to move beyond the prescription pad. While we recognise that pharmacological interventions are often needed, there is much more that can be done to achieve optimal brain health. By understanding that the brain is an organ, made up of specialised and complex fats called lipids and that approximately 25-30% of all brain cells are made up of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), we can nourish and care for our brain-health by feeding it the brain-selective nutrients it requires for optimal structure and function.
Nutritious Minds Consulting is a unique, W1-based consultancy taking food as its starting point to assess insufficiencies in brain-selective nutrients as well as food allergies and intolerances. It adopts a holistic, personalised, evidence-based, integrative approach to psychological and psychiatric health. The consultancy was jointly founded by Neuropsychologist and Nutritionist, Dr Rachel V. Gow and Psychiatrist, Dr Balu Pitchiah.
1 in 4 people in the UK – that’s 16 million of us – experience a mental health problem each year. The problem seems daunting, and yet common symptoms related to diagnoses of depression, anxiety, ADHD and anti-social behaviour can be unknowingly linked to neurochemical and neurobiological factors - all of which implicate nutrition. Leading scientists believe that inflammation of the brain is linked to poor mental health.
We believe that it is time to move beyond the prescription pad. While we recognise that pharmacological interventions are often needed, there is much more that can be done to achieve optimal brain health. By understanding that the brain is an organ, made up of specialised and complex fats called lipids and that approximately 25-30% of all brain cells are made up of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), we can nourish and care for our brain-health by feeding it the brain-selective nutrients it requires for optimal structure and function.
There are many reasons for poor psychological health
City life can be stressful. Simply living in a major city such as London can increase vulnerability for poor mental health. These urban jungles can be polluted, over-populated, and expensive. Many of us are exposed to an increasingly fast-paced and stressful environment, which can take its toll on both mind and body.
Stress normally increases over-time and some common triggers include:
Our bodies are designed to cope with short-term stress, but the prolonged release of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline cause anxiety by increasing our heart-rate, blood sugar levels and blood pressure, causing physical and mental exhaustion. Stress can often lead to self-medicating with unhealthy foods, drugs and alcohol which increases vulnerability to depression.
City life can be stressful. Simply living in a major city such as London can increase vulnerability for poor mental health. These urban jungles can be polluted, over-populated, and expensive. Many of us are exposed to an increasingly fast-paced and stressful environment, which can take its toll on both mind and body.
Stress normally increases over-time and some common triggers include:
- Daily commuting
- Long hours at a desk with little mobility
- Juggling home and childcare with work responsibilities
- Struggling to stay active and healthy especially as the years advance
- Meeting the demands of everyday technology - social media, apps, email, etc.
- Making sense of competing and conflicting messages about health and nutrition
Our bodies are designed to cope with short-term stress, but the prolonged release of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline cause anxiety by increasing our heart-rate, blood sugar levels and blood pressure, causing physical and mental exhaustion. Stress can often lead to self-medicating with unhealthy foods, drugs and alcohol which increases vulnerability to depression.
Depression occurs in 300 million people globally
Women are 50% more likely to be diagnosed than men. Depression can impair cognitive functioning resulting in forgetfulness (brain fog) and distractibility. In adults, five of the following symptoms must be present in a two-week period to receive a diagnosis: feelings of worthlessness; recurrent thoughts of death; cognitive impairment affecting thinking, decision making and concentration; insomnia or sleeping too much; weight loss or weight gain; lack of interest in activities; restlessness/irritability; fatigue.
Nutritious Minds Consultancy aims to help support, teach and empower you by building your own unique mental-health tools box which will enable you a healthier way to navigate through life
Women are 50% more likely to be diagnosed than men. Depression can impair cognitive functioning resulting in forgetfulness (brain fog) and distractibility. In adults, five of the following symptoms must be present in a two-week period to receive a diagnosis: feelings of worthlessness; recurrent thoughts of death; cognitive impairment affecting thinking, decision making and concentration; insomnia or sleeping too much; weight loss or weight gain; lack of interest in activities; restlessness/irritability; fatigue.
Nutritious Minds Consultancy aims to help support, teach and empower you by building your own unique mental-health tools box which will enable you a healthier way to navigate through life