BreakFree Medicine by Dr Sarah LoBisco

Many people don’t know is that there are 2 active compounds in omega-3s: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). You need both. EPA has research for heart health benefits and inflammation, DHA is critical for brain structure and function.
https://buff.ly/4cPnEbG

EPA vs DHA: What You Don’t Know About Omega-3 Fatty Acids | Amen Clinics Amen Clinics Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the most widely known and well-researched nutraceuticals on the market. What many people don’t know is that there are 2 active compounds in omega-3s: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). You need both.

A March 2023 study suggests that athletes who play soccer have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Concussions are often overlooked as a cause of cognitive and mental health issues, but impact to the brain, even without losing consciousness, and have long-term impact.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common. A recent study noted that approximately 3 million Americans have some kind of mild traumatic brain injury every year, and 20% have symptoms that last more than a month. Brain trauma can present itself in a variety of ways including:

Broken blood vessels and bleeding
Increased pressure in the brain
Nerve cell damage (at the connection site)
Brain cells open and leak proteins that cause inflammation
Lack of oxygen
Bruising of the brain

https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/can-playing-soccer-lead-to-alzheimers-disease/

Learn more about concussions, the silent epidemic, and how to preserve, protect, and rejuvenate your brain with the leading expert, Dr. Chapek. He uses a mix of supplements, lifestyle, and I also discuss essential oils:

https://dr-lobisco.com/head-trauma-mental-health-dr-kabran-chapek-amen-clinics/

Some basic steps to take care of your brain and lower your risk of Alzheimer's disease include eating heart healthy (what's good for your heart is good for the brain), movement, mental activity, getting social, and mindfulness: https://buff.ly/3Wbr4yu

Learn more about Alzheimer's with integrative clinical aromatherapist, Debrah Nadler. She is transforming Alzheimer's Disease care with a Trifecta of Music and Memory, Hearts Process, and aromatherapy: https://buff.ly/3wAj9Ca
Debrah Lowe Nadler

Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease | AANMC Help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by implementing healthy habits into your daily life including physical & mental exercise, maintaining social connections, and more.

More ways you can take control of your brain health.

5 things to do to decrease your risk of cognitive decline:

1. Nourish your brain with what it needs, healthy fats, proteins, and plenty of nutrients

2. Move your body

3. Don't smoke or quite and seek help to do that, including emotional support and trauma support if there is an emotional connection

4. Engage in learning and stimulating our brain

5. Avoid alcohol and substances

My addition: Essential Oils... they can enhance memory, help with detoxification, and modulate neurotransmitters, brain inflammation, and hormonal balance. All important for brain health, as the above are. One study found that diffusing essential oils impacted memory by 226% increase!

You can also see an integrative, naturopathic, and/or functional medicine doctor who can assess brain health factors and optimize your brain.

Fascinating breakdown of different activities for different parts of the brain that need support. You should try to exercise your "weak" brain spots to make them stronger. So if you are bad at math, practice math problems. You want to exercise your whole brain. Here are some exercises to work out various brain regions:

Prefrontal cortex exercises: crossword puzzles, Scrabble, chess

Temporal lobe: learning to play a musical instrument, memorization

Parietal lobe: Sudoku, juggling, dance

Basal ganglia: balancing or synchronizing arm and leg movements

Cerebellum: table tennis, tai chi, basketball

Source: https://buff.ly/484QH9g

More on Alzheimer's disease https://buff.ly/3oV1AZc

Study with essential oils: https://news.uci.edu/2023/08/01/sweet-smell-of-success-simple-fragrance-method-produces-major-memory-boost/

"NAC is a form of the amino acid L-cysteine that acts as a precursor to the intracellular antioxidant glutathione. Independent of its status as a precursor to glutathione, it has impressive anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of its own (Tenório et al., 2021). It has been used for decades as a mucolytic agent and in the management of acetaminophen overdose. However, emerging research suggests that NAC’s benefits extend far beyond these uses, particularly in neuropsychiatric disorders like OCD."

Learn more: https://www.psychiatryredefined.org/n-acetylcysteine-nac-for-ocd-a-functional-approach/

Check out one of my most viewed videos on NAC for mental health here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyLi5nf16mY

NAC for OCD: A Functional Approach | Psychiatry Redefined N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown promise in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), both as an augmentation strategy and monotherapy.

Gotta go... gotta go now!!!Sound familiar?Threshold incontinence is way too common.

There are various reasons for overactive bladder - infections, inflammation, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress, hydration status, and nervous system imbalance or disorders.

In this post, VBO goes through how being sympathetic dominant (in "fight and flight") can lead to overactive bladder and the various atonomic nervous system connections to the bladder.

Essential oils can enhance vagal tone, feed the parasympathetic nervous system and decrease sympathetic overdrive, and also address other issues related to bladder control. They can work synergistically to enhance circulation, create warmth, and break up congestion while relaxing tissues and releasing constriction and congestion in the lymph and fascia.

Parasympathetic oil blend and helichryusm oil can be supportive for healthy bladder function and flow.

Learn more: https://dv216.isrefer.com/go/overactivebladder/drsarahlobisco/
VBO oils: https://dv216.isrefer.com/go/VBO/drsarahlobisco/

Do you know the early signs of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease? Did you know that "Losing your sense of smell (called anosmia) could be one of the earliest warning signs of Alzheimer’s. The region of the brain involved in sense of smell is one of the first to deteriorate in Alzheimer’s disease."

https://buff.ly/3BwoSs3

Essential oils have been used to help remediate anosmia caused by various factors and I believe may support neurological function and prevent decline.

https://buff.ly/46eF1A4

What are the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease? | Amen Clinics Amen Clinics Is your memory worse than it used to be? An increasing problem with forgetfulness is the most common indicator of Alzheimer’s disease, but it isn’t the only one. There are many other warning signs that your mind is headed for trouble.

Essential Oils are perhaps most well-known for their ability to induce relaxation and relieve stress. But, the science behind the aromatic state of calm is super cool!

According to the School of Aromatic Studies:

"Modern studies reveal that smelling or inhaling certain essential oils can help regulate the HPA axis, mitigate excessive cortisol release, and reduce anxiety, depression, and stress...

For example, clinical trials show that lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) helps lower cortisol levels in patients undergoing stressful medical procedures...

Research suggests several mechanisms may underlie the effects of inhaled essential oils on the HPA axis and stress hormone levels:

-Direct activation of hypothalamic brain regions that regulate cortisol release via odor perception pathways.

- Compounds entering the bloodstream through the lungs and interacting with hormone receptors.

- Anti-inflammatory effects of terpenes protecting against neuronal damage that triggers cortisol release.

- Modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that interact with the HPA axis.

The complex mixtures of plant compounds in essential oils allow them to act through multiple pharmacological targets simultaneously to restore healthy HPA axis function."

Learn more: https://buff.ly/4ciMwIS

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (emdr) is an interactive psychotherapeutic technique that can help people with PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms or conditions. Studies show it can impact how the brain processes trauma to heal: https://buff.ly/3Zgz5C4

I feel this process got a boost with Dr. Perkus's AFT therapy that uses essential oils to enhance neuroplasticity and memory reconsolidation : https://buff.ly/3Paontu

In this video, I review how essential oils impact mental health through various mechanisms including influencing:

-brain function

-neurotransmitters

-emotional balance and social connection

I also highlight what was discussed in a previous of the Essential Oil Revolution on this topic. During the show, Jade Shutes, dives deep into how essential oils and aromatherapy can be used as an ally to benefit our mood, emotional balance, and brain health. They can be used to fill the gaps to a more holistic approach to our current mental health care treatment.

Jade is a world-renowned aromatherapy practitioner, researcher, and an international educator. She has been in the aromatherapy field for three decades and she is passionate about aromatics. Jade believes the sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses for healing the mind/body/psyche in this era of upheaval and change. She is best known for her balanced, progressive, holistic, and inspiring approach and teaching style.

Watch the video and get the show notes for the episode: https://buff.ly/3UXhBMe

Jade Shutes The School for Aromatic Studies

Promising evidence suggests that the brain's cleansing mechanism could be triggered by 40-Hz sound and light oscillations, potentially aiding memory and purging the Alzheimer's brain of buildup: https://buff.ly/49FLTI0

Essential oils are neuroprotective and can support memory and brain health as well, just FYI. ;)

Brain Stimulation Detoxifies the Alzheimer’s Brain 40-Hz sound and light oscillations activate neural waste-disposal action

Our lymphatic and fascia system are interwoven:

According to VBO:

"On the cellular level, every cell is surrounded by fascia and lymph fluid (which can become increasingly more viscous, which then creates pressure that can impede the cells absorbing fluid, oxygen, nutrients, biochemistry, hormones and energy that every cell needs to thrive.

For the cell to eliminate waste, it must travel through the fluid of the fascial system surrounding your cells to reach the lymphatic system for elimination.

In short, a healthy lymphatic system relies on a healthy fascial system."

Blocked and restricted lymph can lead to pain, swelling, inflammation, cellulite, stiffness, and compromised detoxification and immune function.

"Essential oils support lymph drainage by helping to stimulate the lymphatic system, release adhesions and fascial restriction, increase circulation, decrease swelling in the tissue. By supporting the fluid dynamics of the fascial system, they may help ease a congested lymphatic system and decrease swelling.

Essential oils soften the myofascial tissue, allowing the deep and constrained tissue to stretch and move as it is designed to function. They also have an analgesic effect, relaxing the muscles and reducing pain.

Essential oils can be used to revitalize and de-stress the fascia and muscles, working quickly to break down inflamed, fibrous tissue, removing toxins from the painful area.

Essential oils help with collagen production by reducing free-radical damage. The antioxidant properties of essential oils may also promote collagen growth by both reducing free radicals and increasing collagen cell growth and formation.

Essential oils with detoxing properties help reduce inflammation that may weaken collagen fibers."

Learn more about fascia and lymph: https://dv216.isrefer.com/go/fascialymph/drsarahlobisco/

There are two types of lithium, one is a drug, the other is lithium orotate. Lithium orotate is nutraceutical that consists of orotic acid (a compound produced naturally in the body) and Lithium (an alkali metal). Lithium is present in the diet and is a nutrient. It can help stabilize the brain and is neuroprotective. I have not used it in practice much but have read the research on how it supports mood and behavioral issues. Essential oils would be a good ally with it. https://buff.ly/4bLZJZy

Benefits of Lithium Orotate: According to Triple Board Certified Psychiatrist Learn the latest research and benefits Lithium Orotate to help ease impulsive aggressive behavior associated with ADHD according to Dr. Melissa Quinn.

Can you feed your brain for better mental health?

The brain needs specific nutrients for optimal function. This means adding in certain foods that are nourishing and pleasurable can impact brain health and psychological balance.

How food impacts mood:

Links in literature show that foods that are high quality with nutrient-density can have a positive impact on mood.

Blood sugar balance is also important, so skipping meals can have negative impacts in many.

There are also certain specific nutrients including:

Omega-3 fatty acids (specifically (EPA) alone or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Folate and SAMe (careful of folate in high histamine/over-methylation)

Vitamin D and K

B-vitamins

Other foods that may be helpful for alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression include:

Antioxidants, such as berries

Probiotics and fiber for “minding your microbiome”

Protein rich foods to provide amino acids

Various minerals, especially magnesium.

Links:

https://lnkd.in/eRHfuSff

https://lnkd.in/eqE3scx

https://lnkd.in/dNr8KDp

As a naturopathic doctor and functional medicine provider, I aim to personalize one’s dietary suggestions to optimize their body and brain.

First, I will determine one’s specific nutrient deficiencies. (This is based on what nutrients may be lacking for brain health.)

Then, I will consider their genetic differences in nutrient utilization and the clinical symptoms they present.

Finally, I will put equal emphasis upon all other forms of nourishment, whether it be ensuring adequate rest or advocating for reconnecting with loved ones and spending some quality time in play!

That being said, I know that many may not have access to a naturopathic and functional medicine provider, so I wanted to provide you with some general ideas of some natural ways you can optimize your brain.

Have you noted a link between food and mood?

Please don’t restrict. See more on my approaches on my website.

Essential oils and herbs are great allies for emotional blocks to nourishing your body and also can support digestion, assimilation, and the microbiome.

Food gets most of the attention, but water is just as vital. A Lancet article revealed that dehydration is linked to a 39% higher risk of chronic diseases, a 21% increased chance of early mortality, and a 50% higher likelihood of aging faster than one's actual age. Even slight dehydration can decrease cognitive power and strain the brain: https://buff.ly/3FSM0CV

The Emerging Science of Hydration: Definition, Assessment, Toxicity, and Sources | Deanna Minich Water is imperative to human survival, yet dehydration, or the disproportionate loss of fluids relative to what is ingested, is prevalent. Read more...

Cholesterol has become a dirty word, but is super important for producing hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and provides structure for cellular membranes and the brain.

This post reviews the nuances and explores the link between hypothyroidism and cholesterol levels: https://drjockers.com/cholesterol-what-is-it-and-what-are-healthy-levels/

If your cholesterol is high, it could be for many reasons not often thought of: oxidative stress, infections, low thyroid function, poor hormone production, and more. These are things a naturopathic and functional doc consider, along with cardiovascular health.

I recently explored the cholesterol controversy in a podcast and how essential oils fit in a healthy heart regime: https://www.saratoga.com/healing-health-wellness/2024/02/using-essential-oils-for-healthy-hearts-ep-403/

Tumeric oil, though not containing curcumin, the active compound in the herbs, contains its own compounds that are beneficial for many different health aspects such as modulating pain, cellular health, digestive health, inflammation, and brain health.....

Here's more info:

Derived from the plant Curcuma longa, which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family like ginger, turmeric essential oil can be obtained through the traditional method of steam distillation. This process helps release the essential oils from the plant, along with other plant components. Typically, the rhizome of the turmeric plant, which is the underground stem responsible for sending out roots and shoots, is used for this extraction. It is notable that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, is not present in the essential oil as it is in the oleoresin and CO2 extracts.

https://buff.ly/3TDMhzD

10 Turmeric Essential Oil Benefits: Cancer, Brain Health & More Turmeric essential oil benefits are profound. This ancient spice has been used for thousands of years for healing so that's no surprise!

"Your kidneys are correlated with the emotion of fear.

Your adrenal glands, which sit directly on top of the kidneys, release hormones like cortisol which help you mobilize to either fight or flee. This anatomical proximity helps explain how chronic and ongoing stress can deplete kidney energy and leave you stuck in a cycle of fear. "

Vibrant Blue Oils has a great post on how essential oils can be used for their properties of re-balancing our physiology and psychology to support the kidneys and adrenal glands.

Certain essential oils can act to balance fluids and assist with releasing fear and balance the nervous system, which impacts adrenal and kidney function:

"Topically applied essential oils for kidneys can be a powerful tool to help strengthen kidney function. For example, several essential oils possess natural diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties and may help enhance your body’s efforts to maintain proper fluid balance, support bladder function, and aid overall urinary health. In fact, research demonstrates that essential oils can significantly relieve symptoms of kidney disease.

Essential oils can increase the flow of bodily fluids, such as urine, to help flush excess water and toxins from the body. This is especially helpful if you suffer from edema or swelling due to excess water accumulation. Essential oils for kidneys also possess antiseptic qualities that are helpful in preventing kidney inflammation and relieving urinary tract infections."

Learn more here: https://dv216.isrefer.com/go/kidneyfear/drsarahlobisco/

Anyone with kidney issues will also want to listen the EOR podcast episode I did with holistic kidney specialist, Dr. Henderson and why diuretics are not enough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbUB2k-2Y4k Holistic Kidney

7 dangers of the birth control pill: nutrient depletion, brain changes, disrupt the gut microbiome, increase autoimmune risk, increase risk of blood clots, may increase cancer risk, disrupts liver function. There are other natural approaches to hormone balance, fertility, and ways to mitigate side effects:

7 Dangers of Birth Control Pills and Better Alternatives Birth control pills are hormonal medications used to prevent unwanted pregnancies but they are not without side effects and health risks.

It's no secret that essential oils are one of my favorite modalities to support emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health.

In this video, I give an overview of the five cool ways that essential oils indirectly and directly impact hormone health. This is a preview of one of my solo episodes of the Essential Oil Revolution podcast.

Since essential oils have multiple mechanisms of action, and contain hundreds of biological compounds, the podcast could have gone on for an inordinate amount of time. So, to save us all time and brain overload, I narrowed it down a bit to these key areas and to about 30 minutes.

Click here to get the link: https://buff.ly/3Qe9lnZ

Blood sugar swings are an overlooked cause of mood swings, low energy, anger, anxiety. One of the first things I do for my clients for their hormone and brain health is to balance blood sugar, as this impacts cortisol which modulates s*x hormones, stress, and glucose regulation. https://www.integrativepractitioner.com/mental-emotional-spiritual/key-to-managing-mood-swings-blood-sugar-regulation
More on hormones and other factors: https://dr-lobisco.com/five-cool-ways-essential-oils-can-holistically-support-hormone-health-ep-412/

Key to Managing Mood Swings: Blood Sugar Regulation According to Everest Goldstein, PMHNP-BC, APRN, M.Ed, MSN, IFMCP, there’s a significant connection between blood sugar levels and mental health. Blood sugar fluctuations, she said, can negativel

Essential oils support our bodies ability to take in nourishment and remove what no longer serves us.

They support circulation, modulate inflammatory pathways, influence nervous system function, act as antioxidants, support our gut microbiome, modulate immune response, can be antimicrobial, regulate neurotransmitters, balance hormones.... and more!

In this post by VBO, the author explains how they support proper detoxification channels:

"Essential oils help keep plants healthy by moving vital fluids and energy. They perform similar functions in your body, helping to move energy and prevent stagnation. When your liver becomes stagnant, from physical toxins, stress or anxiety, it impedes detoxification. Essential oils are a powerful tool to help shift stagnation and improve flow of energy and toxins through the liver and the gall bladder.

Essential oils can help shift your body into alignment so toxins do not backlog back into your bloodstream, but flow out of your body. More specifically, topically applying essential oils to specific points on your skin can activate energy flow directly and quickly, stimulating your liver and gall bladder to help toxins flow out of the body instead of back into the bloodstream.

The super small size of essential oil molecules allows them to be easily assimilated into the organs, to help promote directional flow of bile and toxins."

Formulation blends for liver, the gallbladder, nervous system, emotional detox, and binders help support detoxification directionality. For example, German Chamomile can stimulate bile secretions and supports liver detox.

Learn about specific blends here and the oils they contain: https://dv216.isrefer.com/go/5eodetox/drsarahlobisco/

Did you know that your cookware may be leaching toxins and heavy metals... yikes. That's not what you want while your nourishing your brain and body!

No worries, there's safer options like stainless steel, ceramic, and glass, but be mindful of the coatings and leeching... toxins and metals aren't great for brain health, obviously, so this is good info to know: https://buff.ly/3PIfoQt

Toxins from Cookware | Deanna Minich Some cookware (e.g., pots, pans, skillets, baking sheets) leaches chemicals and heavy metals into the foods you cook, which you then consume...

This post explores how the aromatic and chemical properties of essential oils support emotional healing based on their grounding, stress-relieving, and olfactory characteristics.

"Integrating aromatherapy with Somatic Experiencing in holistic PTSD treatment plans offers a comprehensive approach to healing. Aromatherapy can enhance the sensory and emotional aspects of SE, providing additional support for anxiety reduction, mood enhancement, stress relief, and overall well-being. While neither therapy is a standalone cure, their combined use can significantly contribute to the effective management of PTSD by addressing both physiological and psychological dimensions of trauma

1. Creating a safe environment by diffusing calming essential oils during SE sessions to help create a safe and soothing atmosphere. This can make it easier for the person suffering from PTSD to focus on their bodily sensations.
2. Enhancing sensory awareness with essential oils, which can heighten sensory awareness, aiding in the tracking of physical sensations during SE.
3. Supporting emotional release with essential oils that have grounding actions such as frankincense (Boswellia carteri), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), and vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides). These essential oils can support the emotional release process by promoting a sense of stability and safety.
4. Promoting relaxation by integrating essential oils with SE can help one to relax, which can make it easier to discharge and regulate their physiological responses to trauma.

For example, before an SE treatment, the person with PTSD could inhale essential oils such as bergamot (Citrus bergamia) or lavender, true (Lavandula angustifolia) to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. During the session, the grounding oils can be beneficial e.g. frankincense, patchouli, or vetiver. After the session, calming oils can extend the relaxing experience. "

Learn more: https://buff.ly/45WDzST