07/21/2025
Here is a comprehensive functional medicine protocol for a female with stress/anxiety who wants to improve cognitive health, using:
Designs for Health (DFH)
Pure Encapsulations (PE)
Nourish & Flourish (polyphenol-rich shake)
Plus targeted diet, exercise, and lifestyle support
🎯 Functional Medicine Goals
Reduce cortisol and HPA axis dysregulation
Improve cognitive performance: focus, memory, processing speed
Enhance neurotransmitter balance (GABA, serotonin, dopamine)
Support mitochondrial and brain cell function
Improve vagal tone and resilience to stress
🥗 DIET STRATEGY
✅ Emphasize:
Polyphenol-rich foods: blueberries, pomegranate, turmeric, green tea
Omega-3–rich foods: wild salmon, sardines, flaxseeds, walnuts
Magnesium and B-vitamin–rich foods: spinach, pumpkin seeds, lentils
High-protein intake (1.0–1.2 g/kg/day) for neurotransmitter building blocks
Fermented foods: kefir, sauerkraut, miso (support the gut–brain axis)
❌ Avoid:
Excess caffeine (stimulates cortisol), alcohol, and refined sugar
Ultra-processed or inflammatory foods (which impair gut-brain health)
🥤 Nourish & Flourish Shake
1x/day, ideally in the morning or early afternoon
Add: chia or flaxseeds, cinnamon, almond butter, berries, unsweetened almond milk
💊 SUPPLEMENT PROTOCOL
🔹 Stress & Anxiety Modulation
Supplement Brand Dose Purpose
NeuroCalm™ DFH 2 caps/day L-theanine, taurine, GABA support for calm focus
Adrenotone™ DFH 2 caps/day (AM) Adaptogenic blend to modulate HPA axis and cortisol
Magnesium Glycinate or NeuroMag DFH 200–300 mg PM Calms nervous system, supports sleep, GABA, and cognition
🔹 Cognitive & Neurotransmitter Support
Supplement Brand Dose Purpose
Brain Vitale™ DFH 2 caps/day Acetyl-L-carnitine, phosphatidylserine, GPC – brain energy and memory
CogniFlex™ (or CogniMag) DFH 1–2 caps/day Supports neuroplasticity and focus via L-tyrosine, Ginkgo, bacopa
OmegaAvail Ultra DFH 2–3 softgels/day EPA/DHA for anti-inflammatory and cognitive protection
SeroSyn or Mood Systems Balance PE or DFH 1 cap 2x/day Balances serotonin, dopamine (helpful for anxious rumination)
🧘♀️ LIFESTYLE & EXERCISE STRATEGY
Activity Goal
Daily aerobic exercise – 30–45 min Lowers cortisol, improves BDNF and blood flow to brain
Strength training – 2–3x/week Improves resilience, metabolic balance
Mindfulness meditation – 10 min/day Increases vagal tone and GABA levels
Nature exposure / grounding Calms limbic system and improves sleep and cognition
Sleep hygiene (9:30–10:30 PM bedtime) Essential for glymphatic brain detox and neurorepair
🧪 LABS TO MONITOR
Salivary cortisol (4-point) – HPA axis evaluation
DHEA-S, estradiol/progesterone (if perimenopausal)
Thyroid panel: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3
Vitamin D, B12 (methylcobalamin), homocysteine
Omega-3 index
CRP, IL-6 (if inflammatory symptoms present)
🧾 SAMPLE DAILY ROUTINE
Morning
Wake, sunlight exposure
Nourish & Flourish shake + Omega-3 + Adrenotone + Brain Vitale
Light movement or walk
Optional: NeuroCalm (if anxiety-prone early in the day)
Afternoon
Healthy lunch: salmon salad with EVOO, pumpkin seeds, greens
CogniFlex + water
10 min walk or breathwork break
Evening
Light dinner with vegetables and protein
Magnesium (NeuroMag or glycinate) + SeroSyn
Wind down with mindfulness or yoga nidra