Written by: Hanna Hanula, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We've believed that trauma is only a psychological issue for far too long. However, as neurodevelopment, connection, attunement, and attachment are definitely key factors in trauma forming, so is the body's biology.
Every trauma, be it an emotionally abusive parent or the loss of someone dear, leaves a chemical imprint on the body.
Maybe there was too little of something for a long time or too much of something in a short period. And it was enough to throw our system off balance.
Emotional wounds or attachment relationships with our parents have shaped our nervous system from early childhood onwards. As a result, we got addicted to being highly activated. Always hypervigilant, independent and not trusting others, keeping ourselves busy, feeling not good enough, excelling in perfectionism, avoiding emotional intimacy, disconnected from our bodies, our needs, anxious and depressed.
Sounds familiar?
As much as early childhood experiences influenced our adult behaviors, they also influenced our biochemistry.
This high activation might have contributed to developing conditions such as anxiety, depression, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, migraines, asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, and environmental sensitivities.
The truth is that inflammation perpetuates a trauma state and stored trauma perpetuates inflammation. What a vicious circle!
So to heal the emotional shock, we need to address the true root cause that keeps the nervous system in a constant survival mode. We need to look at:
Traumatic Events & Early Attachment Relationships ▸
Biochemical Imbalances
Mitochondrial Inefficiency (Energy Production) ▸
Inflammation
Chronic Stress and Overwhelm
In this article, I will focus on the nutritional part that is essential in supporting your body's recovery.
So what to look for?
1. Nutritional deficiencies.
Nutritional markers indicating your system is struggling are vitamins: B6, B12, B2, biotin, C, and D. Others include coenzyme Q10, zinc, copper, and glutathione. Vitamins B takes part in energy production and can boost the powerhouse of your cells mitochondria. Zinc has been shown to improve serotonin uptake in the brain and have an antidepressant effect. Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that supports cellular detoxification. A dysregulated body creates a lot of oxidative stress that wreaks havoc on all of your systems. Vitamin C, along with glutathione, can really help here. Also, vitamin C improves mood, so another benefit.
On the other hand, excess copper can negatively influence neurotransmitters receptors and may contribute to chronic fatigue, disrupted sleep, anxiety, and impulsivity.
2. Inflammation.
High activation causes overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol and maintains inflammation. To support the body, you may want to:
eat whole natural foods full of fresh fruits and vegetables,
limit gluten, sugar, dairy, alcohol and caffeine
add ingredients rich in anti-inflammatory properties like chia seeds, flaxseed oil, hemp oil, turmeric, fatty fish, blueberries, avocado, and leafy greens.
supplement with Omega 3 if needed.
3. Methylation.
Methylation is a simple biochemical process – it is the transfer of four atoms from one substance to another. When optimal methylation occurs, it has a significant positive impact on many biochemical reactions in the body that regulate the activity of the neurological, reproductive, and detoxification systems, including cellular energy and neurotransmitters production. In addition, methylation has been proven to influence mental disorders, especially anxiety and depression, due to its influence on neural chemicals.
There are four types of dysregulation here: undermethylation, overmethylation, pyrrole disorder, and excess copper. They are all influenced by epigenetics.
There is a simple DNA test to verify if your methylation cycle works optimally. This test looks at specific enzymes affected by your genetic makeup, including the enzyme MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), the most critical enzyme involved in creating 5-MTHF
Approximately 60% of people have a genetic mutation that makes it challenging for their bodies to create enough 5-MTHF so definitely worth checking it out.
4. Toxins and heavy metals.
Overload of toxic metals like lead, mercury or cadmium is widespread. Same as pesticides and other environmental toxins. Persons with low levels of zinc, selenium, or glutathione are susceptible to heavy metals. What can help? Hair analysis or advanced bioresonance analysis can indicate the level of toxicity.
Optimizing your biology can significantly improve your mental health. In addition, functional testing and nutritional therapy are great tools for supporting your trauma recovery.
In the end, it's all your body, chemically, emotionally, and energetically.
I'm offering a holistic approach to anxiety and depression, including nutritional therapy, somatic experiencing, parts work, and my own healing channel that speeds up the healing process. Do not hesitate to contact me through Instagram @hanna.hanula and chat about your mental health challenges. I'd love to help you!
Hanna Hanula, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Hanna Hanula is a leading nutritionist, naturopath, and mindset coach specializing in the gut and mental health. She is a former sufferer of high functioning anxiety, ADHD, social anxiety, and several digestive issues (mainly IBS, Candida, Sibo, and food intolerances) who healed herself by working holistically on the gut-brain axis. She then developed her own unique method called GEM based on gut healing (G), energy medicine (E), and mindset (M). She became passionate about helping others understand the importance of the influence of food on our mood. She is a founder of Souliciously Hanna, a coaching practice through which she runs group programs called Holistic Anxiety Reset and coaches private clients. She is also the author of Stress & Anxiety – the ultimate remedies guide. Her motto is that if you really want to heal your anxiety and feel comfortable in your body, then you need to address your emotional center – your gut.
