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)
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
Basic Panel (often covered by insurance):
- Vitamin and mineral assessment
- Endocrine and metabolic markers
- Inflammatory markers
- Hormone levels
Advanced Testing (when indicated):
- Comprehensive micronutrient panel
- Fatty and organic acid panel
- Food sensitivity testing
- Comprehensive stool analysis (gut microbiome)
- Most sensitive hormone panels
- Evironmetal toxin exposure
Step 3: Personalized Nutrition Plan
You'll receive guidance around implementing:
- Anti-inflammatory meal plans tailored to your preferences
- Targeted supplement protocols to correct deficiencies
- Gut-healing strategies if dysbiosis or gut dysfunction is present
- Blood sugar stabilization techniques, improvement of insulin sensitivity
- Realistic implementation strategies (not overwhelming restrictions or impossible plans)
Step 4: Ongoing Support & Adjustment
Visit frequency:
- Every week initially (first 2-3 months)
- Twice a month to monthly dependent on progress and ability to adapt
- Quarterly for maintenance
Follow-up labs at 3 or 6 months track your progress and guide adjustments depending on frequency of visits and implrementation of strategies.
Our Nutritional Approach
At Evolution Medicine, we don't follow a single protocol—we create personalized nutrition strategies based on YOUR unique biochemistry.
Our foundation:
- Anti-inflammatory whole foods - Emphasizing vegetables, quality proteins, and healthy fats
- Targeted nutrient repletion - Correcting YOUR specific deficiencies identified through lab testing
- Gut-brain optimization - Healing the microbiome to improve mood and cognition
- Sustainable implementation - Realistic strategies that fit your life
This isn't a one-size-fits-all diet. It's personalized medicine.
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 (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, and targeted nutritional interventions, you don't just manage symptoms—you restore the biological foundation your brain needs to heal.
Get Dr. Lazarevic's Recommended Supplements
The energy needed to heal often surpasses what even the most optimal diet can provide. Targeted supplementation supports your specific physiologic deficiencies while health momentum builds.
To receive Dr. Lazarevic's recommended supplements (and receive a discount):
Get Started with Nutritional Psychiatry
Ready to transform your mental health through nutrition?
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
Schedule with Ms. Polanco | Call (212) 924-2871
Want structured nutritional psychiatry treatment with fixed fees and timelines?