Nutritional Psychiatry

Your Diet Directly Affects Your Mental Health

Depression, anxiety, brain fog, and mood instability aren't always "just" psychiatric problems. They're often symptoms of nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, and gut dysfunction that conventional psychiatry never investigates.

At Evolution Medicine, nutrition isn't an afterthought—it's central to your recovery.

Why Conventional Psychiatry Ignores Nutrition

Most psychiatrists receive less than 20 hours of nutrition education in medical school. They're trained to prescribe medication, not to investigate whether your brain has the raw materials it needs to function.

The problem: Your brain requires specific nutrients to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. When you're deficient in Omega-3s, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, or other key nutrients, your brain literally cannot make the chemicals that regulate mood, focus, and anxiety.

No amount of medication can fix a nutritional deficiency.

That's why we test for—and correct—the biological imbalances driving your symptoms.

Meet Ms. Helaine Polanco, MS

Functional Nutritionist | Gut-Brain Specialist

Ms. Polanco is a regionally recognized functional nutritionist with over a decade of experience helping patients optimize mental health through targeted nutrition.

What makes her approach unique: She doesn't hand you a generic "eat healthy" plan. She uses advanced biomarker analysis to identify YOUR specific deficiencies—then creates realistic, sustainable nutrition strategies that fit your life.

Her specialties:

• Gut-brain axis optimization
• Women's hormonal health and mood
• Nutritional psychiatry for depression and anxiety
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition
• Personalized supplement protocols

Training & Experience:

• Master's degree in Nutrition, St. Elizabeth University
• Functional Nutrition Certification, Restorative Wellness Solutions
• Clinical experience at Parsley Health (leading functional medicine practice)
• Lactation certification (Healthy Children Project)

Initial Consultation: $250 (60 minutes)

Schedule with Ms. Polanco

How Nutritional Psychiatry Works

Step 1: Comprehensive Nutritional Assessment

Ms. Polanco evaluates:

• Your current diet and eating patterns
• Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, food sensitivities)
• Energy levels throughout the day
• Sleep quality
• Stress and lifestyle factors
• Supplement history

Step 2: Functional Laboratory Testing

We order labs to identify deficiencies and imbalances:

Basic Panel (often covered by insurance):

• Vitamin D, B12, folate
• Iron, ferritin
• Thyroid function
• Inflammatory markers
• Fasting glucose and insulin

Advanced Testing (when indicated):

• Comprehensive micronutrient panel
• Omega-3 index
• Food sensitivity testing
• Comprehensive stool analysis (gut microbiome)
• Sensitive hormone panels

Step 3: Personalized Nutrition Plan

You'll receive:

• Anti-inflammatory meal plans tailored to your preferences
• Targeted supplement protocols to correct deficiencies
• Gut-healing strategies if dysbiosis is present
• Blood sugar stabilization techniques
• Realistic implementation strategies (not overwhelming restrictions)

Step 4: Ongoing Support & Adjustment

Visit frequency:

• Every 2 weeks initially (first 1-2 months)
• Monthly as you stabilize
• Quarterly for maintenance

Follow-up labs at 3-6 months track your progress and guide adjustments.

The Wahls Protocol: Food as Medicine

Our nutritional approach is based on the research of Dr. Terry Wahls, who reversed her own progressive multiple sclerosis through targeted nutrition.

The foundation:

• 9 cups of vegetables daily (3 cups per meal, finely chopped)
  • 3 cups leafy greens
  • 3 cups sulfur-rich vegetables (onions, garlic, cruciferous)
  • 3 cups colorful vegetables (rich in antioxidants)
• High-quality fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds)
• Quality proteins (fatty fish, grass-fed meats, legumes)
• Minimal processed foods (eliminate refined sugars, industrial oils)

Why this works: These foods provide the nutrients your brain needs to produce neurotransmitters, reduce inflammation, and repair cellular damage.

Learn more about the Wahls Protocol →

Top 10 Nutritional Deficiencies in Mental Health

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA)

Why it matters: Your brain is 60% fat. Omega-3s reduce inflammation, support neurotransmitter production, and improve synaptic plasticity.
Deficiency symptoms: Depression, anxiety, brain fog, poor concentration
Food sources: Salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds

2. Vitamin D

Why it matters: Functions as a brain hormone, increasing serotonin production and reducing inflammation.
Deficiency symptoms: Depression, seasonal affective disorder, fatigue, anxiety
Food sources: Fatty fish, UV-exposed mushrooms, fortified foods, egg yolks (but sunlight is primary source)

3. B Vitamins (B6, B9/Folate, B12)

Why it matters: Essential for neurotransmitter production and methylation pathways. B12 deficiency causes neurological damage.
Deficiency symptoms: Depression, cognitive impairment, fatigue, irritability
Food sources: Leafy greens, legumes, fortified grains, eggs, fortified nutritional yeast

4. Magnesium

Why it matters: Natural anti-anxiety nutrient. Calms the nervous system by supporting GABA function and reducing stress hormones.
Deficiency symptoms: Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, muscle tension
Food sources: Pumpkin seeds, spinach, dark chocolate, almonds, black beans

5. Iron

Why it matters: Required to produce dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Deficiency causes cognitive impairment even without anemia.
Deficiency symptoms: Fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, poor concentration
Food sources: Lentils, spinach, tofu, pumpkin seeds, fortified cereals (pair with vitamin C for absorption)

6. Zinc

Why it matters: Regulates mood, supports neuroplasticity, modulates stress response. Deficiency linked to treatment-resistant depression.
Deficiency symptoms: Depression, anxiety, impaired wound healing, frequent infections
Food sources: Pumpkin seeds, legumes, cashews, whole grains, tofu

7. Selenium

Why it matters: Antioxidant that protects the brain from oxidative stress. Supports thyroid function, which affects mood.
Deficiency symptoms: Depression, anxiety, brain fog, hypothyroidism
Food sources: Brazil nuts (1-2/day), whole grains, sunflower seeds, mushrooms

8. Iodine

Why it matters: Essential for thyroid hormone production. Thyroid dysfunction directly causes depression and anxiety.
Deficiency symptoms: Fatigue, depression, weight gain, brain fog
Food sources: Seaweed, sea vegetables, cranberries, iodized salt (use cautiously—excess can cause problems)

9. Vitamin C

Why it matters: Converts dopamine to norepinephrine, protects brain from oxidative stress, regulates stress hormones.
Deficiency symptoms: Depression, fatigue, poor immune function
Food sources: Bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, citrus fruits, kiwi

10. Choline

Why it matters: Produces acetylcholine for memory and learning. Supports brain cell membranes.
Deficiency symptoms: Memory problems, brain fog, cognitive decline
Food sources: Eggs, cruciferous vegetables, mushrooms, legumes, tofu

Specialized Nutritional Protocols

When labs reveal specific issues, Ms. Polanco implements targeted interventions:

🌿 Gut Restore Protocol

For: Dysbiosis, SIBO, IBS, leaky gut, food sensitivities
Includes: Elimination diets, probiotic protocols, gut-healing supplements, microbiome testing

🔥 Anti-Inflammatory Protocol

For: Elevated hs-CRP, chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions
Includes: Anti-inflammatory diet, Omega-3 supplementation, curcumin, resveratrol

🩺 Liver Support Protocol

For: Medication metabolism issues, high liver enzymes, detoxification support
Includes: Liver-supportive foods, milk thistle, NAC, glutathione precursors

😴 Sleep Rebalance Protocol

For: Insomnia, poor sleep quality, circadian rhythm dysfunction
Includes: Glycine, magnesium, tart cherry juice, sleep hygiene optimization

Why Nutritional Psychiatry Works

Medication treats symptoms. Nutrition addresses root causes.

When you combine:

• Psychiatric medication (when needed)
• Psychotherapy
• Targeted nutritional interventions

You don't just manage symptoms—you restore the biological foundation your brain needs to heal.

Get Started with Nutritional Psychiatry

Step 1: Schedule an initial consultation with Ms. Polanco

Step 2: Complete nutritional assessment and recommended lab work

Step 3: Receive your personalized nutrition and supplement plan

Step 4: Begin implementation with ongoing support

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