Look Great. Feel Great. Understanding how your eating changes brain chemicals and thereby affects your body + mind. Every body is unique and no diet fits all.

1. LOOK GREAT. FEEL GREAT.
BALANCING BRAIN CHEMISTRY
WITH NUTRITION TARGET THERAPY
The Nutrition Doctor
E: Info@ChristinaSantini.com W: ChristinaSantini.com
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2. THE DIET ISSUE
Nutrient deficiencies in women increased 430%
between 1969-1990
Blood sugar, serotonin, thyroid levels drop within 8
hrs on very low cal diet
Result: rebound cravings, fatigue, depression, eating
disorders + obesity
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3. GENETIC DISPOSITION
DOES NOT MEAN GENETIC
DETERMINATION!
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4. LOW FAT DIETS
Traditional fats such as egg yolks, coconut oil, butter, animal fats etc. raise
endorphins = mood boosting + pain management
Under-eating is extremely dangerous in the condition we are in: depletes
neurotransmitters and makes us more vulnerable to addictions and mental
disorders
Anorexia has the highest suicide rate of any mental disorder - calorie
restriction basically results in us eating our way into our shrink’s office
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5. MENTAL DISORDERS
- IT’S A BRAIN STARVATION
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They could save a lot of
dollars in rehab and
time on their therapist’s
couch if they just
started eating.
Sanity - it’s only a bite
away.
Monday, June 17, 2013

6. AMINO ACID THERAPY
Amino acid isolated therapy is a short-term intervention and needs to be monitored
alongside any meds that stimulate that same neurotransmitter
If there is a clear indication of a genetic disposition - i.e. addiction, depression in family
medical history then 1 year is needed and maybe life-long > adjust when satiety symptoms
appear - monitor monthly
Satiety symptoms (3-12 months): immune to sugar > nausea, jitters, hyperactivity, headache
Should be taken on empty stomach min. 20 min, before foods or with carbs only (especially
tryptophan should always as the only amino be taken with a carb to help transport over
blood-brain barrier, as this is a bulkier molecule so you want to create a moderate insulin
spike to ensure all smaller competing aminos are out of the bloodstream, leaving tryptophan
free to enter over the blood-brain barrier.
Should be supplemented with traditional diets: 25-30g protein per meal, 40-50% fats
(saturated fats eliminates cravings!), plenty of low-carb veggies + higher carb fruits, grains
etc. as tolerated/needed - i.e. low serotonin needs more than low dopamine.
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7. THE ADDICTIVE FOODS
Sucrose: 50% glucose + 50% fructose
High-Fructose Corn-Syrup > twice as sweet as glucose, generates equal
amounts of triglycerides lasting 12 times longer than glucose, comparable in
fatty liver damage to alcohol, HFCS has increased in US 25% since
introduction
Refined starch
Chocolate
Gluten
Casein
Fat + Salt = Balance it > minor addictive, not to worry - enhances mouthfeel and
addictive properties of other addictors - it’s the combination that matters.
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8. YOUR CRAVINGS REVEAL YOUR BRAIN
CHEMICAL IMBALANCE
it’s NOT about willpower - it IS about BRAINpower!
You cannot willpower yourself out of a biochemical
imbalance!
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9. DEFINING ADDICTION
Loss of Control
Continued use despite adverse consequences
Withdrawal symptoms
Relapse
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10. FRUCTOSE ADDICTION
Four powerful satiety factors are dysregulated by fructose:
Insulin
Leptin
Ghrelin
POMC
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11. THE SPEEDBALL EFFECT
4 Neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, GABA, endorphins)
+
4 Satiety factors (insulin, leptin, ghrelin, POMC)
+
6 Combined addictors (gluten, casein, salt, fat, sucrose, chocolate)
=
14 times more addictive than cocaine
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12. CATECHOLAMINES (ENERGY)
Role: alertness, focus, energy, drive, enthusiasm
Symptoms of low catecholamines: low energy, apathy, low blood pressure, diabetes-2
Substances/Cravings: chocolate, sweets, caffeine, cocaine, meth, tobacco, ritalin,
adderall,
Supplements: tyrosine (500-3000mg < 3 P),
Nutritional strategy: high protein > red meat
Contraindications: high blood pressure, migraine, bipolar spectrum tendencies,
overactive thyroid, melanoma, phenylketonuria (PKU), asthma, carcinoid tumor,
excessive cortisol, any cancer but especially lymphatic
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13. SUGAR ADDICTION
Like cocaine, sugar can reward by stimulating
dopamine activity.
- Stice E. Nerolmage 2012
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14. THE SUGAR TRAP
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15. SEROTONIN (MOOD)
Role: mood, self-confidence, flexibility, positivity, stability + it is THE most
sensitive neurotransmitter to dieting!!!
Symptoms of low serotonin: negativity, irritability, depression, suicidal
thoughts, migraines, fibromyalgia, insomnia, hyperactivity, negativity,
afternoon/evening cravings, binge behaviors
Substances/cravings: carbs/sweets, alcohol, lexapro, ecstacy, prozac, zoloft,
effexor, trazadone
Supplements: 5 HTP 50-200mg when needed + 500mg niacin + 1g magnesium
+ 1-6mg melatonin for sleep related issues only 20 min. before bed
Nutritional strategy: moderate protein/carb ratio + carb afternoon snacks -
make sure to include potatoes, yams, squash and some grains if tolerated
Contraindications: any cancer but especially lymphatic , melanoma, carcinoid
tumor
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16. THE HAPPY PATHWAY
The cofactors need to
be in abundant
supply AND their
action must NOT be
BLOCKED by ANTI-
NUTRIENTS in order
for everything to go
smoothly and for us
to be happy.
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17. DEPRESSION AND VITAMINS
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1 + B2 + B3 + B6 + B12
Biotin
Folate
Pantothenate
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
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18. CARBOHYDRATE
METABOLISM
Chromium
Fructose Sensitivity
Glucose-Insulin Metabolism
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19. DEPRESSIVE
CONDITIONS
Hypothyroidism
Allergies (incl. food allergies i.e. gluten, casein,
lactose etc.)
Hormone imbalances
Hypoglycemia
Nutritional deficiencies
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20. ANTIDEPRESSANTS (TRICYCLIC + SSRI) DEPLETE NUTRIENTS
INVOLVED IN SEROTONIN SYNTHESIS
(THE MEDICATION ADDICTION TRAP)
B-complex vitamins
Selenium
Zinc
Glutathione
Calcium
Magnesium
Vitamin C
Reference: Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition June 2000
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21. THE DECEPTION OF ORAL
CONTRACEPTION
The use of contraceptive pills has been shown to
decrease the physiologic levels of six nutrients--
riboflavin, pyridoxine, folacin, vitamin B12, ascorbic
acid and zinc.
Reference: J Reprod Med., 1984
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22. HYPOTHYROIDISM IS THE GREATEST
HORMONAL NUTRIENT DEFICIT
DEPRESSED CONDITION
Yo-yo dieting and low cal diets results in low thyroid!
Why we gain MORE weight after going back to eating normal
after calorie restriction when hypothyroid:
• Body temperature drops
• Metabolic rate decreases
• Fatigue, coldness, mood swings - no mental or physical energy
to do anything
• Tendency to store fat instead of burn it
• Anxiety, dry skin, thinning hair, menstrual irregularities,
always cold, inability to concentrate, constipation
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23. NUTRIENTS TO REACTIVATE
THYROID
Iodine
Glutathione
Lipoic acid
Carnitine
Muscle fatigue
Asparagine
plays a role in thyrotropin receptor function
Selenium
200 mg sodium selenite or selenomethionine
Choline
B vitamins
Vitamin A
Thyroid facilitates conversion of caratenoids: why some people with low thyroid look yellow
(i.e. also occur often with Anorexia)
Vitamin B-complex
Converts T4 to T3, reduces homocysteine levels, increases gastric secretion, absorption of iodine
etc.
Vitamin C + E
Restores thyroid when compromised liver detoxification
Copper
Zinc
100 mg zinc sulfate
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24. ANTINUTRIENTS
Anti-nutrient: A compound or effect from something that either takes more
nutrients from the body to process or takes more nutrients from the body to
fight the effects from it. Basically, a compound that is causing more harm
than good.
- Soy
- GMO
- Sugar
- Refined grains
- Alcohol
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25. SEROTONIN AND BINGING
Tryptophan depletion triggers bulimic cravings and
negative moods in 24 hr.
Reference: Biol. Psych 2000 W. H. Kaye et. al.
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26. STRESS AND CORTISOL
Awake 2-5 AM, Wide awake, ready to go
Cause: elevated cortisol
Test salivary cortisol levels (as hormone related insomnia due to menopause
needs different approach)
Cure: phosphorylated serine 10000mg 4-6 hours prior to cortisol surge and/
or
Hydrolyzed casein a2 150mg at high cortisol times
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27. ENDORPHINS (OPIATES)
Role: motional/physical pain relief, pleasure, reward, numbness when
needed
Symptoms of low endorphins: sensitive to pain, emotional, chronic pain
Substances/cravings: cheese, sweets/carbs, chocolate, alcohol, marijuana,
Vicoden, heroin, caffeine, tobacco, running, binging/purging, starvation
Supplements: DL/D-Phenylalanine 500-1500mg when needed < 3P
Nutritional strategy: high fat!
Contraindications: high blood pressure, migraine, bipolar spectrum
tendencies, overactive thyroid, melanoma, phenylketonuria (PKU), asthma,
carcinoid tumor, excessive cortisol, any cancer but especially lymphatic
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28. GABA (CALM)
Role: calmness, relaxation, stress tolerance
Symptoms of low GABA: stiff muscles, burned out, unable to relax
Substances/cravings: marijuana, alcohol, Xanax, Ativan, starches
Supplements: NAC 2-4g + inositol 1 tsp. when needed
Nutritional strategy: moderate protein/carb
Contraindications: very low blood-pressure
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29. REFERENCES
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Assies J, Lieverse R, Vreken P, Wanders RJ, Dingemans PM, Linszen DH. "Significantly reduced docosahexaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid concentrations in erythrocyte
membranes from schizophrenic patients compared with a carefully matched control group." Biol Psychiatry. 2001 Mar 15;49(6):510-22.
Harv Heart Lett 2001 Nov;12(3):1-2. "Go fish: a good choice for preventing strokes."
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Yuan JM, Ross RK, Gao YT, Yu MC. "Fish and shellfish consumption in relation to death from myocardial infarction among men in Shanghai, China." Am J Epidemiol 2001 Nov 1;154
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Simopoulos AP. "Human requirement for N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids." Poult Sci 2000 Jul;79(7):961-70
Okuyama H, Kobayashi T, Watanabe S. "Dietary fatty acids--the N-6/N-3 balance and chronic elderly diseases. Excess linoleic acid and relative N-3 deficiency syndrome seen in
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Thomas EA, Carson MJ, Sutcliffe JG. "Oleamide-induced modulation of 5- hydroxytryptamine receptor-mediated signaling." Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998;861: 183-189.
Boger DL, Patterson JE, Jin Q. "Structural requirements for 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A serotonin receptor potentiation by the biologically active lipid oleamide." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.
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32Chang MC, Contreras MA, Rosenberger TA, Rintala JJ, Bell JM, Rapoport SI. "Chronic valproate treatment decreases the in vivo turnover of arachidonic acid in brain
phospholipids: a possible common effect of mood stabilizers." J Neurochem. 2001 May;77(3):796-803.
33Oken RJ. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a neuronal membrane phospholipid hypothesis and concomitant therapeutic strategy. Med Hypotheses 2001 Apr;56(4):413-5
34Harymi Okuyama, Ph.D. "Choice of n-3 Monounsaturated and Trans-fatty Acid-Enriched Oils for the Prevention of Excessive Linoleic Acid Syndrome" Workshop on the
Essentiality of and Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids The Cloisters National Institutes of Health
35Pietinen P, Ascherio A, Korhonen P, Hartman AM, Willett WC, Albanes D, Virtamo J. "Intake of fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease in a cohort of Finnish men." The
Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Am J Epidemiol 1997 May 15;145(10):876-87.
Nishiyama␣et␣al.␣Zinc␣supplementation alters thyroid hormone metabolism in disabled patients with zinc deficiency.␣J␣Am␣Coll␣Nutr␣1994:13:62␣67
Gartner,␣Gasnier.␣␣Selenium␣in␣the␣treatment␣of␣autoimmune␣thyroiditis.␣Biofactors 2003;19:165␣170.
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