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| Vibrance Newsletter | ||
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| The Brain Balance Assessment - What is Your Chemistry Telling You? |
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| Written by Jennifer Berman, MD | |
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If you are experiencing mood changes, weight gain, fatigue, cognitive or memory impairment, insomnia, or sexual dysfunction, you may have an imbalance in your brain chemistry. The brain is divided into four regions or lobes, and each lobe has a primary chemical, called a neurotransmitter that is responsible for specific brain functions.
The primary brain neurotransmitters, dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA and seratonin, are generated from proteins in your diet. Because each of the four primary brain chemicals are derived from amino acid or protein precursors, specific nutrients can be obtained from diet and natural supplements to replenish them. The combination of diet, nutritional supplements and behavioral/environmental helps to reduce damage/ inflammation, repair nerve cells, restore/improve brain function, and prevent future damage. When deficiencies first occur, specific symptoms related to the deficient neurotransmitter can develop. If ignored, or left untreated, these deficiencies can develop into full-blown medical conditions requiring medical intervention. A summary of the primary neurotransmitters, their function, as well as some of the characteristic deficiency symptoms are highlighted below. Dopamine Function: brain energy, motivation/creativity Deficiency Symptoms: • Sugar/caffeine cravings • Fatigue • Lightheadedness • Weight gain • Diminished libido • Low energy • Memory changes • Decreased motivation • Lack of initiative • Sleep disturbance • Increased Alcohol or drug consumption GABA Function: brain rhythm, or calm Deficiency Symptoms: • Carbohydrate craving • Trembling, twitching • Anxiety • Insomnia • Hyperventilation • Palpitations, fast pulse • Cold or clammy hands • Ringing in ear, lump in throat, butterflies in stomach • High blood pressure • IBS/GI disorders • Memory changes • Disorganization • Depression/Isolation Acetylcholine Function: Brain speed/mental acuity Deficiency Symptoms: • Fat cravings • Weight Gain • Memory lapses • Difficulty concentrating • Dry mouth • Urinary frequency • Mood changes • Dyslexia • Agitation • Anxiety Serotonin: Function: brain balance, or mood Deficiency Symptoms: • Salt cravings • Backache or muscle aches • Neck pain • Headache • Shortness of breath • Insomnia • PMS • Sexual Dysfunction • Weight Gain • Increased alcohol or nicotine use • Agitation/anxiety Take the Brain Balance Assessment for yourself: View and print the self scoring two-part Brain Balance Assessment. To discuss this topic or related topic with others, checkour Bulletin Board forums. Click here |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 01 December 2006 ) |
