Not long after Newsweek's issue on depression, Kate Loftesness of The Eugene Weekly interviewed five northwest health practitioners about "Alternatives to Medication for Mentally Ill Patients". Each of these health professionals cares for depressed patients differently:
* Ron Unger, a Eugene therapist and clinical social worker, advocates group therapy.
* David W. Oaks is director of the Eugene-based mental health activist group MindFreedom International He works to insure patients have a range of care choices available to them.
* Ira Aronin, a mental health specialist and the lead worker for access-related issues with Lane County Behavioral Health Services admits: "Our understaffed program dealing with crises and complex cases makes pursuing alternatives difficult."
* Katharine Schneider is the clinical supervisor for therapy and care management at an in-patient psychiatric unit. "We treat people with acute mental illness and incorporate a diverse array of treatments." Patients enjoy creative art therapies such as journaling and poetry writing plus yoga and some receive pharmaceutical treatments.
* Dr. Kristen Allott (interviewed in betrween PESI sessions in Eugene) places, special emphasis on diet and nutrients. "I see my practice as complementing more mainstream therapies and treatments of mental health."
The alternatives to medication for mentally ill patients in Kate's article are mentioned only sparingly. The acceptance of these and other alternatives to medication for the mentally ill is growing.
"Different Paths to Mental Health" by Kate Loftesness at this link:
www.eugneweekly.com/2010/02/11coverstory3.htrr
Friday, July 02, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
TASTY SPIN on NUT BUTTERS
Recently, I was at the Sunday afternoon Ballard Farmer's Market enjoying all the colors of the fresh flowers and vegetables when I stumbled upon Marilyn's Nut Butters. Marilyn has a great idea. She adds spices to nut butter. They are yummy! She uses really good spices for foods cooked for folks living in cold, damp environments--like summers in Seattle!
Although I really like Marilyn's basic idea, I could not help but notice that in a couple of her nut butters, she adds sugar which throws off the carbohydrate to carbohydrate protein ratio. (Join me on July 14th at the Greenwood Senior Center for a session on how to read labels and I will explain the importance of those ratios.)
Meanwhile, check out Marilyn's website (www.marilynsnutbutters.com/) and visit her at the Ballard Farmer's Market. You may even want to experiment with your own favorite spices by adding them to a couple of tablespoons of nut butter. They taste delicious as a snack on apples, carrots or just spoons.
Although I really like Marilyn's basic idea, I could not help but notice that in a couple of her nut butters, she adds sugar which throws off the carbohydrate to carbohydrate protein ratio. (Join me on July 14th at the Greenwood Senior Center for a session on how to read labels and I will explain the importance of those ratios.)
Meanwhile, check out Marilyn's website (www.marilynsnutbutters.com/) and visit her at the Ballard Farmer's Market. You may even want to experiment with your own favorite spices by adding them to a couple of tablespoons of nut butter. They taste delicious as a snack on apples, carrots or just spoons.
A USEFUL TOOL for ANXIETY
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 40 million American adults, ages 18 and older, have an anxiety disorder. For those of you who are curious, or if you may be one of those 40 million with anxiety, here is a relatively inexpensive way to begin to answer your own questions.
This audio CD, available through the PESI online bookstore, is entitled "Depression and Nutrition: Practical Tools to Treat Depression". The CD carefully lays out the connection between processed foods and depression. Most helpful are the 10 Critical Questions for individuals suffering with anxiety. This seminar on audio CD is also a helpful addition to clinic libraries of mental health professionals. Audio CD #2DK042285 for only $59.99 is available through the following PESI link:
http://www.pesi.com/bookstore/Nutrition and Anxiety Practical Techniques to
Decrease Anxiety Panic Attacks-details.aspx
This audio CD, available through the PESI online bookstore, is entitled "Depression and Nutrition: Practical Tools to Treat Depression". The CD carefully lays out the connection between processed foods and depression. Most helpful are the 10 Critical Questions for individuals suffering with anxiety. This seminar on audio CD is also a helpful addition to clinic libraries of mental health professionals. Audio CD #2DK042285 for only $59.99 is available through the following PESI link:
http://www.pesi.com/bookstore/Nutrition and Anxiety Practical Techniques to
Decrease Anxiety Panic Attacks-details.aspx
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
UPCOMING TALKS by DR. ALLOTT
Thursday, June 10th, 11:00 AM PST
PESI Teleconference:
"Depression & Nutrition: Practical Tools to Treat Depression"
For more information, please contact PESI, Depression & Nutrition Teleseminar
Wednesday, July 14th, 1:00-2:00PM PST, Greenwood Senior Center
525 North 85th Street, Seattle, WA
HANDS-ON CLASS
"LABELS: What Do They Mean?
What can we learn by reading labels correctly? What is the difference between "Total Carbohydrates" and sugar? How much protein verses carbohydrates is healthy? Is "fat-free" really free of fat? Bring labels of your favorite foods and we will get down to the finer points we can learn from labels.
THE DEBATE OVER ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATIONS
People often ask me as a provider of alternatives to antidepressant medications, if I am against then? My reply is "No, they save lives. They are often band-aids, however, and to remove them, the cause has to be addressed. This may include examining the emotional causes of depression by talking to a therapist or addressing the physical causes by making sure that the client is getting enough of the right nutrients to make neurotransmitters."
I also like to point out that part of the reason that antidepressants are not a very predictable medication is that the definition of depression is not a physiological definition. It is a behavioral definition. There is often some shame around using an antidepressant medication. This I feel is unfortunate. By way of comparison, there is little shame associated with taking hypertension medications. There is often more one can do to affect hypertension such as reduce salt, increase exercise and learn to meditate. All of which seem a lot easier than changing a challenging childhood.
NATION-WIDE CONVERSATION: USE of POPULAR DRUGS in the TREATMENT of DEPRESSION
On February 8, 2010, Newsweek Magazine's cover story featured an article by Sharon Begley entitled "The Depressing News About Antidepressants". Ms Begley's banner following the article title reads: "Studies suggest that the popular drugs are no more effective than a placebo. In fact, they may be worse."
Sharon Begley Factoid: "The number of Americans taking antidepressants doubled in a decade from 13.3 million in 1996 to 27 million in 2005."
Much of Begley's article is a re-cap of landmark research studies and reports. For example, early studies state that "antidepressants (tricyclics to the newer selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors--SSRIs--that target serotonin such as Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac and their generic descendants plus newer drugs that also target nor epinephrine) help about three-quarters of people with depression who take them,"
The Journal of the American Medical Association recently underscored the "Yes, but" findings: "Yes, the drugs are effective, in that they lift depression in most patients, but the benefit is hardly more than what patients get when they, unknowingly and as part of a study, take a dummy pill-a placebo." For some scientists who study depression and its treatments, the previously named antidepressants are "basically expensive Tic Tacs". Belief appears to be very good medicine.
Irving Kirsch and Guy Sapirstein, psychology researchers from the University of Connecticut, through their study did prove that patients improved by taking the drugs AND with the dummy pills. "The majority of the drugs' effect came from the fact that patients expected to be helped by them, and not from any direct chemical action on the brain, especially for anything short of very severe depression." By no means, does Kirsch advocate that patients suffering from depression who are presently taking the drugs stop. However, he does suggest that prescribing drugs is "not the best first choice in dealing with depression."
You may read the complete article at this link: http://www.newsweek.com.
I also like to point out that part of the reason that antidepressants are not a very predictable medication is that the definition of depression is not a physiological definition. It is a behavioral definition. There is often some shame around using an antidepressant medication. This I feel is unfortunate. By way of comparison, there is little shame associated with taking hypertension medications. There is often more one can do to affect hypertension such as reduce salt, increase exercise and learn to meditate. All of which seem a lot easier than changing a challenging childhood.
NATION-WIDE CONVERSATION: USE of POPULAR DRUGS in the TREATMENT of DEPRESSION
On February 8, 2010, Newsweek Magazine's cover story featured an article by Sharon Begley entitled "The Depressing News About Antidepressants". Ms Begley's banner following the article title reads: "Studies suggest that the popular drugs are no more effective than a placebo. In fact, they may be worse."
Sharon Begley Factoid: "The number of Americans taking antidepressants doubled in a decade from 13.3 million in 1996 to 27 million in 2005."
Much of Begley's article is a re-cap of landmark research studies and reports. For example, early studies state that "antidepressants (tricyclics to the newer selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors--SSRIs--that target serotonin such as Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac and their generic descendants plus newer drugs that also target nor epinephrine) help about three-quarters of people with depression who take them,"
The Journal of the American Medical Association recently underscored the "Yes, but" findings: "Yes, the drugs are effective, in that they lift depression in most patients, but the benefit is hardly more than what patients get when they, unknowingly and as part of a study, take a dummy pill-a placebo." For some scientists who study depression and its treatments, the previously named antidepressants are "basically expensive Tic Tacs". Belief appears to be very good medicine.
Irving Kirsch and Guy Sapirstein, psychology researchers from the University of Connecticut, through their study did prove that patients improved by taking the drugs AND with the dummy pills. "The majority of the drugs' effect came from the fact that patients expected to be helped by them, and not from any direct chemical action on the brain, especially for anything short of very severe depression." By no means, does Kirsch advocate that patients suffering from depression who are presently taking the drugs stop. However, he does suggest that prescribing drugs is "not the best first choice in dealing with depression."
You may read the complete article at this link: http://www.newsweek.com.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
RECIPE: GLUTEN-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, SUGAR-FREE FRUITBREAD
My good friend Alida Schulyer provided me with this recipe. I like is because it is made with real food, is wheat-free and high in protein. It tastes delicious. For me, it makes a great breakfast bread.
Have ingredients at room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease with butter and then line with parchment or wax paper the bottoms and sides of your pans. This recipe is for 5 little bread pans or 2 regular bread pans. Assemble the ingredients below:
4 cups finely ground raw almond flour
5 eggs
¾ lb or 3 sticks of butter (okay to use less)
1 ½ cups honey (use ½ cup less to make a breakfast bread)
¾ to 1cup apple cider, or brandy
1 cup applesauce
½ cup citrus peel diced into ¼ inch squares (lemon, orange, lime or grapefruit)
The juice of one lemon
1-teaspoon salt (use 1 tsp. more if butter is not salted)
1-teaspoon baking soda
1-teaspoon or more cinnamon to taste
1-teaspoon or more ginger to taste
½-teaspoon or more cloves to taste
½-teaspoon or more cardamom
3-5 cups of dried fruit including currents, apricots, figs, cherries, etc
1-2 cups chopped pecans
Cut dried fruit into small pieces using a sharp knife or scissors. Set aside.
Grind raw almonds in food processor or blender to consistency of cornmeal. Place into large bowl, add and blend in baking soda, salt and spices.
In a food processor, or in a medium separate bowl, blend together the butter, honey, lemon juice, applesauce and eggs. If doing this by hand, first melt the butter, next add in honey and blend, and then add in beaten eggs and blend; add applesauce and blend. Add ¾ of the juice, applesauce or brandy to the egg mix and blend.
Slowly add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients (ground almonds etc.). The batter should be thick and sticky but not dry. Add additional liquid if needed. Add, by folding in, the dried fruit and chopped nuts one cup at a time until you are satisfied with the ratio of fruit and batter. I like a lot of fruit and nuts in mine, so I add as much as the batter can hold.
Spoon into greased and paper-lined bread pans. Fill almost to the top of the bread pan. Smooth with a spatula and decorate with whole pecans (optional). Cook in preheated oven for 2-5 hours (depending on pan size) or until a fork or toothpick comes out clean. You may want to turn the oven down to 300 after the first 45 minutes, if the edges of fruitcake or the pecans on top start to look brown.
Enjoy!
Have ingredients at room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease with butter and then line with parchment or wax paper the bottoms and sides of your pans. This recipe is for 5 little bread pans or 2 regular bread pans. Assemble the ingredients below:
4 cups finely ground raw almond flour
5 eggs
¾ lb or 3 sticks of butter (okay to use less)
1 ½ cups honey (use ½ cup less to make a breakfast bread)
¾ to 1cup apple cider, or brandy
1 cup applesauce
½ cup citrus peel diced into ¼ inch squares (lemon, orange, lime or grapefruit)
The juice of one lemon
1-teaspoon salt (use 1 tsp. more if butter is not salted)
1-teaspoon baking soda
1-teaspoon or more cinnamon to taste
1-teaspoon or more ginger to taste
½-teaspoon or more cloves to taste
½-teaspoon or more cardamom
3-5 cups of dried fruit including currents, apricots, figs, cherries, etc
1-2 cups chopped pecans
Cut dried fruit into small pieces using a sharp knife or scissors. Set aside.
Grind raw almonds in food processor or blender to consistency of cornmeal. Place into large bowl, add and blend in baking soda, salt and spices.
In a food processor, or in a medium separate bowl, blend together the butter, honey, lemon juice, applesauce and eggs. If doing this by hand, first melt the butter, next add in honey and blend, and then add in beaten eggs and blend; add applesauce and blend. Add ¾ of the juice, applesauce or brandy to the egg mix and blend.
Slowly add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients (ground almonds etc.). The batter should be thick and sticky but not dry. Add additional liquid if needed. Add, by folding in, the dried fruit and chopped nuts one cup at a time until you are satisfied with the ratio of fruit and batter. I like a lot of fruit and nuts in mine, so I add as much as the batter can hold.
Spoon into greased and paper-lined bread pans. Fill almost to the top of the bread pan. Smooth with a spatula and decorate with whole pecans (optional). Cook in preheated oven for 2-5 hours (depending on pan size) or until a fork or toothpick comes out clean. You may want to turn the oven down to 300 after the first 45 minutes, if the edges of fruitcake or the pecans on top start to look brown.
Enjoy!
AUDIO TALKS AVAILABLE THROUGH PESI
I am a national speaker through the continuing education company PESI. I try to provide immediately and clinically useful information on nutrition and mental health. These seminars can be helpful to both mental health professionals as well as clients. Over the last 4 years, I have been able to use the feedback to refine the lecture so that I consistently receive positive responses and ratings higher than a 4 out of 5 scale.
Here are the links to the audio-recorded seminars:
Nutrition and Anxiety: Practical Techniques to Decrease Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Nutritional & Complementary Treatment for Mental Health Disorders
I will be doing a live webcast on May 13, 2010. Seriously consider joining us. Our last webcast was lively, interesting and informative.
Nutrition and Anxiety: Practical Techniques to Decrease Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Nutritional & Complementary Treatment for Mental Health Disorders
I will be doing a live webcast on May 13, 2010. Seriously consider joining us. Our last webcast was lively, interesting and informative.
RESEARCH: WHOLE DIET CUTS RISK OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
I am particularly excited because in January 2010 the first large study came out that verifies what I have been seeing clinically. In American Journal of Psychiatry, investigators at the University of Melbourne in Australia, led by Dr. Felica Jacka, Ph.D., published significant research findings on the role of whole foods on depression and anxiety. This study with 1,046 women ages 20 to 93 years showed that women who regularly consumed a so-called traditional diet were more than 30% less likely to have major depression, dysthymia, and anxiety disorders compared with their counterparts who consumed a Western diet. In addition, the Western diet was associated with a 50% increased likelihood of depression.
What is the traditional or whole diet that helps prevent mental illness, according to the study? It is a diet characterized by eating regularly vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and high-quality meat and fish. The Western diet, on the other hand, is high in refined or processed foods and saturated fats. All of which may increase the risk of depression, the new research suggested. Dr. Jacka defines high-quality meat as red meat such as beef and lamb from pasture-raised animals as opposed to feedlot grown animals eating only a corn-based diet commonly found in the United States. The naturally raised animals produce red meats higher in omega-3 fatty acids that support general brain development and, more specifically, learning and memory.
Dr. Gomez-Pinilla, PhD, at University of California Los Angeles’ Neurotrophic Research Laboratory, agrees with Dr. Jacka on the profound impact of the study: “The psychiatric community has been somewhat reticent about advocating diet as a preventive and/or treatment strategy for mental illness. However, this research, as well as other recent studies may help convince clinicians about the ‘profound impact’ diet can have on mood and psychiatric disorders in general and perhaps shift clinical practice.”
In my clinical practice at Dynamic Paths, when a person successfully changes his or her diet to consume appropriate amounts of high quality protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains, as well as becomes aware of the processed foods he or she has been eating, emotional and physical lives change. The need for antidepressant medication to help manage emotions decreases and some people can even discontinue the antidepressant medications. This makes sense. Antidepressant medication works to alleviate the inability to make neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. Good food and appropriate nutrients also can help make serotonin and aid in healing the brain. As the client continues to see a therapist, “brain re-wiring” for the emotional causes of depression can effectively take place. Mental health professionals and clients report to me that as diets improve, clients can begin to work on harder therapy concerns. If a person has a history of anemia, weight gain, quick loss weight loss programs, the person may have nutrient deficiencies that nutrition alone will not correct. At Dynamic Paths, Abby and I evaluate individuals’ diets to assure the balance for mental and physical health. We can order blood panels to check to see if individuals have enough iron, B vitamins, and other minerals to make dopamine and serotonin.
What is the traditional or whole diet that helps prevent mental illness, according to the study? It is a diet characterized by eating regularly vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and high-quality meat and fish. The Western diet, on the other hand, is high in refined or processed foods and saturated fats. All of which may increase the risk of depression, the new research suggested. Dr. Jacka defines high-quality meat as red meat such as beef and lamb from pasture-raised animals as opposed to feedlot grown animals eating only a corn-based diet commonly found in the United States. The naturally raised animals produce red meats higher in omega-3 fatty acids that support general brain development and, more specifically, learning and memory.
Dr. Gomez-Pinilla, PhD, at University of California Los Angeles’ Neurotrophic Research Laboratory, agrees with Dr. Jacka on the profound impact of the study: “The psychiatric community has been somewhat reticent about advocating diet as a preventive and/or treatment strategy for mental illness. However, this research, as well as other recent studies may help convince clinicians about the ‘profound impact’ diet can have on mood and psychiatric disorders in general and perhaps shift clinical practice.”
In my clinical practice at Dynamic Paths, when a person successfully changes his or her diet to consume appropriate amounts of high quality protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains, as well as becomes aware of the processed foods he or she has been eating, emotional and physical lives change. The need for antidepressant medication to help manage emotions decreases and some people can even discontinue the antidepressant medications. This makes sense. Antidepressant medication works to alleviate the inability to make neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. Good food and appropriate nutrients also can help make serotonin and aid in healing the brain. As the client continues to see a therapist, “brain re-wiring” for the emotional causes of depression can effectively take place. Mental health professionals and clients report to me that as diets improve, clients can begin to work on harder therapy concerns. If a person has a history of anemia, weight gain, quick loss weight loss programs, the person may have nutrient deficiencies that nutrition alone will not correct. At Dynamic Paths, Abby and I evaluate individuals’ diets to assure the balance for mental and physical health. We can order blood panels to check to see if individuals have enough iron, B vitamins, and other minerals to make dopamine and serotonin.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Neurotransmitters Improvement through Food and Behavior
Dr. Allott will be speaking at the Grand Rounds for Naturopathic Doctors at Bastyr University for the Spring 2010 lecture series on Tuesday evening, April 6 at University House at 5:30-6:45 PM. The title of her talk is “Neurotransmitters Improvement through Food and Behavior”.
The talk will focus on how we used different neurotransmitters in our daily lives and through over use, under use or not meeting the brain’s nutritional needs we can become deficient causing anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Although this lecture is directed to naturopathic doctors, all are welcome to come.
University House is located on 4400 Stone Way West, Seattle, Washington 98103. You won’t want to miss this lecture.
The talk will focus on how we used different neurotransmitters in our daily lives and through over use, under use or not meeting the brain’s nutritional needs we can become deficient causing anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Although this lecture is directed to naturopathic doctors, all are welcome to come.
University House is located on 4400 Stone Way West, Seattle, Washington 98103. You won’t want to miss this lecture.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Introducing: ABBY PATTISON, MA, CN, MHC
Dynamic Paths, Inc. is happy to announce that Abby Pattison, MA, CN, MHC has joined Dr. Allott in providing non-pharmaceutical interventions for depression, anxiety, addictions, sugar cravings and other mental health concerns. Over the last six months, Dr. Allott and Ms. Pattison have shared training and clinic experiences, redefined operation procedures for--not just joining--but integrating practices in order to better serve your wellness needs.
Abby Pattison brings unique qualities and provides multiple benefits to clients of Dynamic Paths, Inc. First, both of her master degrees in nutrition and psychology complement and enhance Dr. Allott's understanding that people's relationship to food is primarily emotional. Secondly, Abby Pattison is interested in working with parents and children over the age of seven years old. Thirdly, she can provide services at a price point that is more affordable for people struggling in our present economy.
When you come to see Ms. Pattison, you will follow the basic pattern for appointment making as outlined in the Services on the Dynamic Paths website. You will see Ms. Pattison for two to three appointments working on dietary tools that will improve your symtoms quickly. Once she has identified the physiological nature of the depression, anxiety, addition, sugar craving or other mental health concerns, you will be referred to Dr. Allott for laboratory analysis. Dr. Allott and Ms. Pattison will work collaboratively to create a treatment plan.
As your primary support, Ms. Pattison will explain how your symptoms maybe your body's way of expressing its need for nutritional changes. You and she together will discover foods that will work for you. The steps to wellness that the two of you create will be practical and well as sustainable.
Call today 206-579-2797 to get started on the pathway to feeling better.
Abby Pattison brings unique qualities and provides multiple benefits to clients of Dynamic Paths, Inc. First, both of her master degrees in nutrition and psychology complement and enhance Dr. Allott's understanding that people's relationship to food is primarily emotional. Secondly, Abby Pattison is interested in working with parents and children over the age of seven years old. Thirdly, she can provide services at a price point that is more affordable for people struggling in our present economy.
When you come to see Ms. Pattison, you will follow the basic pattern for appointment making as outlined in the Services on the Dynamic Paths website. You will see Ms. Pattison for two to three appointments working on dietary tools that will improve your symtoms quickly. Once she has identified the physiological nature of the depression, anxiety, addition, sugar craving or other mental health concerns, you will be referred to Dr. Allott for laboratory analysis. Dr. Allott and Ms. Pattison will work collaboratively to create a treatment plan.
As your primary support, Ms. Pattison will explain how your symptoms maybe your body's way of expressing its need for nutritional changes. You and she together will discover foods that will work for you. The steps to wellness that the two of you create will be practical and well as sustainable.
Call today 206-579-2797 to get started on the pathway to feeling better.
For Your Information
WELLNESS SUPPORT GROUP
For Anyone with an Ongoing Physical Health Challenge
Suzanne A. Fox, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Meets every other Tuesday, 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Location: Edmonds, near Stevens Hospital and 5 Corners
For specific session dates and a brief pre-registration phone interview, call Suzanne Fox at 425-775-4262. She may also be contacted at safox44@gmail.com.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
CALORIES IN, CALORIES OUT IS A MYTH
Americans are struggling with weight gain, diabetes, depression and anxiety. Dr. Allot returns to Realize Your Radiance Workshop 2010 on Saturday, April 3, to debunk some of the common myths about these conditions. She will explain facts about weight gain as well as what foods to eat and not to eat, so that you enjoy optimal health and vitality. Check out the interesting details of the event plus the possible scholarships at the following link. www.realizeyourradiance.com/details.htm
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
NEWSLETTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS LAUNCHED
November is the start up month for a Dynamic Paths' newsletter specifically written for mental health professionals. The first issue features the Free Consult Group meeting December 9th on the topic "Evening Binge Eating", research results on Food and Mood, and the announcement of a new focus treatment for individuals with anxiety at Dynamic Paths. The newsletter--a work in progress--will be published monthly as one of the outcomes from Dynamic Paths' fifth-year anniversary event, involving 35 colleagues and friends participating in lively networking and interchange.
If you are not receiving a newletter and would enjoy receiving future copies, please let me know at allott@dynamicpaths.com.
If you are not receiving a newletter and would enjoy receiving future copies, please let me know at allott@dynamicpaths.com.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
CALMING ANXIETY APPOINTMENTS
A set of three appointments at Dynamic Paths focus on reducing anxiety through acupuncture, food and Chinese herbs. Sessions include the following:
- Three 75-minute appointments
- Focused problem appointments on anxiety
- Acupuncture in each appointment
- Handouts on food strategies to reduce anxiety
- Individualized, non-addictive Chinese herbal formula that reduces anxiety symptoms
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
NUTRITION AND MENTAL HEALTH CONSULT GROUP
"Evening Binge Eating"
I am hoping to develop a free consultation group. It will start
as an open but reserve-a-seat gathering. Each meeting will
feature a topic. I will share some medical physiology as well
consistent emotional patterns of annonymous individuals. Then,
we will have a general discussion about how to address both the
emotional patterns and the behavorial patterns.
"Evening Binge Eating" is the first topic. The dates and times will
be Wednesday, December 9th and/or Thursday, December 10th
from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, at 943 N, 89th Street, Seattle.
At your earliest convenience, please reserve-a-seat via email or
telephone for the first session of your choice (Wednesday or
Thursday). I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
FOOD, FREE LECTURE AND NETWORKING
You are cordially invited to celebrate Dynamic Paths’
5th Year Anniversary
Please invite friends, family, colleagues, and clients
to come participate.
October 21st — Open House
5:30pm-6:30pm socializing, networking and eating yummy foods
6:30pm to 8pm short talk by Dr. Allott on:
to come participate.
October 21st — Open House
5:30pm-6:30pm socializing, networking and eating yummy foods
6:30pm to 8pm short talk by Dr. Allott on:
More Energy and Less Anxiety with Q and A,
Simple nutritional interventions and handouts.
Anyone and Everyone is Welcome to Join us.
Simple nutritional interventions and handouts.
Anyone and Everyone is Welcome to Join us.
Location: 943 N. 89 Street See map
For more information call Dr. Kristen Allott 206-579-2757
Thursday, August 06, 2009
SUGAR ADDICTION TO NATURAL EATING: SANE
This Program for Women who:
-Are concerned about how pre-diabetes,diabetes and obesity is effecting their lives.
- Feel trapped by their ever present focus on food.
-Are ready to focus on being physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy.
-Want to learn the difference between physical food cravings vs. emotional food cravings.
-Are tired of quick weight loss programs that lead to quick weight gain and more.
Dr. Kristen Allott and Amy Condon will co-lead a weekly group. Each month, the group will include two sessions specifically focused on the emotional causes of sugar cravings and two sessions examining the physical causes of sugar cravings. The groups are intended provide tools and support for self-care on both the physical and emotional level.
Time: Four Tuesday nights each month from 6-8pm beginning September 22nd. Six month commitment is required.
Cost: $500 per month or 10% discount if paid in full by the first group.
Seating is limited to 8 women, applications are currently being accepted.
For more information, please call Dr. Kristen Allott at 206-579-2757
or see www.dynamicpaths.com
The goal of this group is to assist members in improving their relationship with food, their body, and themselves, and make compassionate changes that support health and well-being.
-Are concerned about how pre-diabetes,diabetes and obesity is effecting their lives.
- Feel trapped by their ever present focus on food.
-Are ready to focus on being physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy.
-Want to learn the difference between physical food cravings vs. emotional food cravings.
-Are tired of quick weight loss programs that lead to quick weight gain and more.
Dr. Kristen Allott and Amy Condon will co-lead a weekly group. Each month, the group will include two sessions specifically focused on the emotional causes of sugar cravings and two sessions examining the physical causes of sugar cravings. The groups are intended provide tools and support for self-care on both the physical and emotional level.
Time: Four Tuesday nights each month from 6-8pm beginning September 22nd. Six month commitment is required.
Cost: $500 per month or 10% discount if paid in full by the first group.
Seating is limited to 8 women, applications are currently being accepted.
For more information, please call Dr. Kristen Allott at 206-579-2757
or see www.dynamicpaths.com
The goal of this group is to assist members in improving their relationship with food, their body, and themselves, and make compassionate changes that support health and well-being.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Recipe: Berry Compote
½-1 cup of frozen organic or low pesticide raspberries or blueberries
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 TBS of real maple syrup or honey
½ cup of almond flour* or slivered almonds*, passed through a blender/coffee grinder (*I recommend purchasing from Trader Joe’s)
Microwave the berries for about one minute until warm. Mix the rest of the ingredient in to taste.
Variations:
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 TBS of real maple syrup or honey
½ cup of almond flour* or slivered almonds*, passed through a blender/coffee grinder (*I recommend purchasing from Trader Joe’s)
Microwave the berries for about one minute until warm. Mix the rest of the ingredient in to taste.
Variations:
- Eat as is
- Eat with high protein Greek yogurt
- Use on pancakes and French toast, instead of syrup
- Mix with protein powder
Diet Soda Hurts More Than It Helps
During my “How Food Affects Mood” lectures, people often ask for my opinion of artificial sweeteners. My reply has been, “I am a naturopath, I am skeptical of anything that did not exist 500 years ago.” Now, with the results of a long term study sponsored by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, my doubts are confirmed. The study shows that artificial sweeteners cause the very things—obesity and diabetes—that people are trying to prevent by using sugar substitutes.
The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) looked at the affects of daily consumption of diet soda, among other factors, on the health of over 6,000 study participants. The study found that the relative risk of type 2 diabetes increased 67% and the risk of metabolic syndrome increased 36% in people who drink diet soda on a daily basis. Type 2 diabetes is caused by an excessive level of glucose in the blood stream due to insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of health concerns that many Americans struggle with, including type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure).
So why would something with no sugar, like diet soda, cause weight gain and glucose regulation problems? To find the answer, let’s first look at what happens when you drink a glass of freshly made lemonade (½ lemon, 2 tsp white sugar and 12 oz. water). The sucrose (white sugar) is converted into glucose and enters the blood stream. Insulin is released by the pancreas when the taste buds sense sweetness on the tongue. Iinsulin’s job is to open the glucose gates on cell membranes so the glucose can enter cells and then be burned as fuel. This is how the body naturally processes sugar.
Now, let’s look at what happens when you drink a diet soda. The taste buds register that you are consuming something really sweet and the pancreas releases insulin expecting glucose to arrive shortly in the blood stream. The insulin starts unlocking the gates to let fuel into cells but there is no renewed fuel supply because there is no sugar in the soda. The cells absorb the limited supply of glucose in your blood stream left over from you last meal, causing a critical deficit. Typically when the level of glucose in the blood stream gets dangerously low, the body has over ten hormones that mobilize glucose to fuel the brain. However, the diet soda has triggered the release of all that insulin, which turns off the mobilizing hormones and causes the body’s glucose regulation system to fail. Long term exposure to these insulin spikes from artificial sweeteners in diet soda causes the body’s muscle cells to ignore insulin prompting and put up a big “Closed for Business” sign or causing insulin resistance. Once the body’s natural process has broken down like this, the glucose rejected by the muscles is absorbed by adipose tissue (fat cells) and the rest accumulates in the blood stream, causing obesity and insulin resistant type 2 diabetes.
Another problem caused by artificial sweeteners is that when insulin is released to clear calories from the blood stream and there are no calories, the body begins burning muscle mass as fuel to keep glucose feeding the brain. Losing muscle mass through this process increases health risks since muscle mass is what consumes calories and helps prevent diabetes and obesity. Additionally, our brain and body with the low fuel supplies will say “Feed me, feed me”. Often setting up the likelihood to binge on sweets later in the day or the next day. The calories in the binge will be a lot higher than in the lemonade.
The ingredients of diet soda, particularly caffeine and amino acids, for a few hours will help improve the symptoms of fatigue and depression. However, long term the same metabolic processes which cause obesity and diabetes will also cause depression and fatigue.
Take home message: Artificial sweeteners don’t delivery! To help keep your body functioning properly, avoid unnatural alternatives. Eat real food and if you are going to have sugary treat have it in small amounts and stop and really enjoy it.
The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) looked at the affects of daily consumption of diet soda, among other factors, on the health of over 6,000 study participants. The study found that the relative risk of type 2 diabetes increased 67% and the risk of metabolic syndrome increased 36% in people who drink diet soda on a daily basis. Type 2 diabetes is caused by an excessive level of glucose in the blood stream due to insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of health concerns that many Americans struggle with, including type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure).
So why would something with no sugar, like diet soda, cause weight gain and glucose regulation problems? To find the answer, let’s first look at what happens when you drink a glass of freshly made lemonade (½ lemon, 2 tsp white sugar and 12 oz. water). The sucrose (white sugar) is converted into glucose and enters the blood stream. Insulin is released by the pancreas when the taste buds sense sweetness on the tongue. Iinsulin’s job is to open the glucose gates on cell membranes so the glucose can enter cells and then be burned as fuel. This is how the body naturally processes sugar.
Now, let’s look at what happens when you drink a diet soda. The taste buds register that you are consuming something really sweet and the pancreas releases insulin expecting glucose to arrive shortly in the blood stream. The insulin starts unlocking the gates to let fuel into cells but there is no renewed fuel supply because there is no sugar in the soda. The cells absorb the limited supply of glucose in your blood stream left over from you last meal, causing a critical deficit. Typically when the level of glucose in the blood stream gets dangerously low, the body has over ten hormones that mobilize glucose to fuel the brain. However, the diet soda has triggered the release of all that insulin, which turns off the mobilizing hormones and causes the body’s glucose regulation system to fail. Long term exposure to these insulin spikes from artificial sweeteners in diet soda causes the body’s muscle cells to ignore insulin prompting and put up a big “Closed for Business” sign or causing insulin resistance. Once the body’s natural process has broken down like this, the glucose rejected by the muscles is absorbed by adipose tissue (fat cells) and the rest accumulates in the blood stream, causing obesity and insulin resistant type 2 diabetes.
Another problem caused by artificial sweeteners is that when insulin is released to clear calories from the blood stream and there are no calories, the body begins burning muscle mass as fuel to keep glucose feeding the brain. Losing muscle mass through this process increases health risks since muscle mass is what consumes calories and helps prevent diabetes and obesity. Additionally, our brain and body with the low fuel supplies will say “Feed me, feed me”. Often setting up the likelihood to binge on sweets later in the day or the next day. The calories in the binge will be a lot higher than in the lemonade.
The ingredients of diet soda, particularly caffeine and amino acids, for a few hours will help improve the symptoms of fatigue and depression. However, long term the same metabolic processes which cause obesity and diabetes will also cause depression and fatigue.
Take home message: Artificial sweeteners don’t delivery! To help keep your body functioning properly, avoid unnatural alternatives. Eat real food and if you are going to have sugary treat have it in small amounts and stop and really enjoy it.
Seminar on Food and Mood in September
Seminar Day Long Seminar for Everyone on Food and Mood!
Nutritional & Complementary Treatment for Mental Health Disorders:
Non-Pharmaceutical Strategies that Work
Friday September 11, 2009 Lynnwood, WA
Wednesday September 16, 2009 in Tacoma, WA
Thursday September 17, 2009 in Seattle, WA
To learn more about these seminars and register at http://www.pesi.com/ or
Dynamic Paths (206)579-2757
Nutritional & Complementary Treatment for Mental Health Disorders:
Non-Pharmaceutical Strategies that Work
Friday September 11, 2009 Lynnwood, WA
Wednesday September 16, 2009 in Tacoma, WA
Thursday September 17, 2009 in Seattle, WA
To learn more about these seminars and register at http://www.pesi.com/ or
Dynamic Paths (206)579-2757
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