Nu PSYCH Integrative Wellness Solutions

06/28/2022

One of the most popular topics these days is sleep and the role it plays in our overall health. In this week's blog post, Shane discusses the bidirectional relationship between poor sleep and depression. You can access the post below.

Depression and insomnia and insomnia and depression - this bidirectionality depicts an important relationship between the two. It is well known in mental health and psychiatry that a common symptom of depression is insomnia; however, the reverse is also true. That is, insomnia is also an independent...

06/01/2022

Can you spare a moment to help us out?
We are in the process of conducting market research to make sure our services are meeting the needs of our community and we would love your feedback. Click the link below to learn more. Thanks in advance!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfliKT-8yxhL680GdROmevd06NUm5Vdt-mGR6WJJrS3s5Iz1g/viewform?usp=sf_link

NuPSYCH Integrative Wellness Solutions provides holistic and integrative mental health services that utilize nutritional interventions to treat/improve symptoms of depression and anxiety . The purpose of this survey is to ensure we are meeting the needs of our market. Thank you for taking a few minu...

05/25/2022

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that plays important roles in many biochemical processes such as nerve myelenation and neutransmitter metabolism. Research has also shown a correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and the occurence of psychiatric disorders such as depression.

How can you increase your intake of this essential vitamin? By including more vitamin B12-rich foods in your diet!

One popular misconception about vitamin B12 is that it can only be found in animal products. While foods such as beef and eggs do contain higher amounts of B12, they are not your only options. Seaweeds such as nori are a good choice as well as certain types of mushrooms and fermented products.

Another important factor to consider is the role that digestive functioning plays in the absorption of this essential vitamin. For example, if you do not produce sufficient intrinsic factor, and/or stomach acid, then malabsorption can occur.

To learn more about the roles that vitamins play in your mental health, check out our weekly blog https://www.nupsych.net/blog

05/17/2022

Depression as an Inflammatory Response

In an article published in the Journal of Affective Disorders (2022), researchers examine the relationship between inflammation and the occurrence of depression. In their article, the authors report that those who experience inflammation are at a greater risk for depression. What causes inflammation? One culprit is a poor diet high in pro-inflammatory foods such as sugar, processed meats, and fried foods. When we eat pro-inflammatory foods on a regular basis, we may experience chronic inflammation which in turn can impact our mood and lead to depression. Many other factors may be at play, but it is important for us to begin thinking about the foods we eat and how this can impact our mental health.

Try limiting or at least reducing your intake of pro-inflammatory foods and increasing your intake of anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy greens and other plant-based options.

Reference:
Jiang, C., Yin, H., Liu, A., Liu, Q., Ma, H., & Geng, Q. (2022). Dietary inflammatory index and depression risk in patients with chronic diseases and comorbidity. Journal of Affective Disorders, 301, 307–314. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.008

05/14/2022

As we jump into the weekend hopefully you will have a chance to kick back and induldge in some self-care. Whether that means going for a hike, having a spa day, or spending time with your friends, get out and do something that brings joy to your life. Don't forget to also spend time being present in the moment and practicing gratitude.

What are you grateful for today?

05/12/2022

Did you know that low folate levels have been associated with an increased risk for depression and other psychiatric disorders? In addition, low levels of this B vitamin have been shown to impact individual response to antidepressant medications.

How can you increase your folate levels? In this week's blog post, Shane discusses this topic in further depth and makes simple recommendations for getting your levels up. Click below to learn more.

So, for the next few blogs lets discuss some essential nutrients in food that are known to benefit mental health. Leafy-green vegetables - we all just know that they are “good for us”. As a kid growing up on a farm in Saskatchewan, I absolutely detested salads and preferred the typical “meat a...

04/23/2022

Nursing Mentorship Program is now LIVE

If you're a novice nurse looking to crush your goals and take your skills to the next level, then this program is right for you!

Message us to learn more or visit us at www.nupsych.net

04/11/2022

Are you getting the proper ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids?

In this week's blog post, Shane talks about this important ratio and how it relates to mood imbalances. Click below to learn more!

So, I blogged last week about the Omega-3 fatty acids and depression. However, one cannot really have this discussion without talking about Omega-6 fatty acids. Both Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, cannot be produced by the body, and have very important roles in homeostasis. Gen...

03/29/2022

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03/14/2022

Congratulations to NuPSYCH's co-founder Kristen Cabernel who is an honouree of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce 2022 Top 40 Under 40.

The Kelowna Chamber partners with BDO on the Top 40 Under 40

02/28/2022

Monday Mood Boost for Canine Lovers

Did you know that touching and talking with animals helps to reduce cortisol and blood pressure all while boosting your mood? Dogs can help to promote relaxation and help reduce stress. When feeling down, consider taking your companion for a walk. Caring for your furry friend can do wonders for your mental health!

02/18/2022

With the warmer temperatures bringing hope for an early spring, now is the time to get outside! Soak up some vitamin D while engaging in fun activities that get your heart rate up. Both will go a long way to improving your mood and overall health.

What outdoor activities are you looking foward to this weekend?

02/02/2022

Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression

In a review article written by Sikka et al. (2021), omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (including DHA, EPA, and ALA) are identified as a top nutraceutical utilized in the treatment of depression. They are essential to brain function and therefore persons with low levels are at a greater risk for experiencing depressive symptoms (Sikka et al., 2021).

Top food sources of omega 3’s include:

-fish and other seafood (low mercury options)
-nuts and seeds (flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts)
-plant oils (flaxseed oil, soybean oil)
-fortified foods

The use of daily omega 3 supplements may also be beneficial when the diet is unable to meet the body’s daily requirement. Dosing depends on individual need.
Interested in learning more about the use of omega 3 supplements to help manage depressive symptoms? Book a consultation with one of our practitioners today.

Reference:
Sikka, P., Behl, T., Sharma, S., Sehgal, A., Bhatia, S., Al-Harrasi, A., Singh, S., Sharma, N., & Aleya, L. (2021). Exploring the therapeutic potential of omega-3 fatty acids in depression. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 28(32), 43021–43034.

01/31/2022

Monday Mental Wellness Boost

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is the act of identifying factors in your life that you are thankful for. This can include several aspects such as your family, your career, or your health, etc. Researchers who have studied the effects of practicing gratitude regularly have found that it enhances both physical and mental health – improving happiness and overall life satisfaction. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

So how does one practice gratitude? There are many ways, but a couple suggestions include making a list of all the things you are grateful for and reviewing the list often. Another way you can practice gratitude is simply by telling others you are thankful for them. Whatever you choose, try to incorporate a form of gratitude into your life daily.

What are you thankful for today?

Reference
Komase, Y., Watanabe, K., Hori, D. Nozawa, K., Hidaka, Y., Iida, M., Imamura, K., & Kawakami, N. (2021). Effects of gratitude intervention on mental health and well-being among workers: A systematic review. Journal of Occupational Health, 63(1), e12290.

01/20/2022

Have a sweet tooth? This smoothie will help satisfy your cravings while providing a much needed mood boost.

● ½ cup frozen pineapple
● 1 fresh banana
● 1 cup milk (h**p or coconut)
● 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
● ½ teaspoon turmeric
● ½ teaspoon cinnamon
● ½ teaspoon ginger
● 1-2 threads of saffron
● ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
● 1 teaspoon flax seeds
● 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder

12/28/2021

At NuPSYCH, we offer services rooted in the growing field of functional medicine. What exactly is functional medicine (FM)? FM is focused on identifying the root cause of disease and then utilizing a “food-first” approach to treating disease. What does this look like? FM practitioners conduct thorough health history assessments aiming to identify factors that affected the onset of disease. Lab tests are usually ordered as a way to gather more information.

Oftentimes, deficiencies are identified, and the practitioner can make recommendations for promoting balance. Some imbalances may be easier to alleviate whereas others may take more time. The FM practitioner will help guide you through the process and can help you implement some of the necessary changes.

Interested in learning more? Contact us today!

12/14/2021

Welcome to NuPSYCH. We offer alternative and complementary mental health care services with a focus on functional medicine. Our practitioners are passionate about identifying the root cause of disease and helping clients on their road to wellness.

We offer a range of services including counseling, nutritional coaching, psychoeducation, and advocacy.

Contact us today for more information or to book an initial consultation.

12/14/2021

12/14/2021

Welcome to NuPSYCH! We offer alternative and complementary mental health care services with a focus on functional medicine. Our practitioners are passionate about finding the root cause of disease and helping clients achieve optimal wellness.

We offer a range of services including counseling, nutritional coaching, psychoeducation, and advocacy.

Interested in learning more? Check out our webiste or contact us for more information.