What happened when we looked beyond the mind to heal the brain
“Doctor, we just want counselling for our son. He doesn’t need all these blood tests.
“This is the phone call I receive almost weekly from many parents. Their child is struggling with mental illness, taking psychiatric medications, but they can’t understand why I’m asking for hormone tests and nutritional assessments.
“Mental health is about the mind, not the body, right?
“Wrong. And I have a powerful story to share with you.
Meet PN: A Tale of Two Approaches
Let me tell you about PN (name changed for privacy), a young man in his early thirties who came to see me while taking psychiatric medications for anxiety and depression. Despite months of treatment, he was still struggling with:
- Persistent anxiety that interfered with daily activities
- Digestive issues that no one connected to his mental state
- Medication side effects that added to his frustration
When I suggested comprehensive testing for hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies, his Family’s response was immediate and familiar:
“Doctor, we don’t think he needs those tests.
Can’t you just provide more counselling?”
The Resistance That Nearly Cost Him His Recovery
This reaction didn’t surprise me. After years in practice, I’ve learned that most families view mental health through a single lens: psychology.
They believe that:
- Mental health problems exist only “in the head”
- Counselling and medication are the only solutions
- Physical health and mental health operate independently
- Blood tests and hormone panels are unnecessary for emotional issues.
Here’s what they don’t realize: Your brain is an organ, just like your other organs, like the liver and the heart. And like every organ in your body, it needs proper nutrition and hormonal balance to function optimally.
The Turning Point: When Science Met Scepticism
After several conversations, PN’s family finally agreed to the testing. The results were eye-opening:
- Significant vitamin D deficiency (linked to depression and anxiety)
- B12 deficiency (crucial for neurotransmitter production)
- Hormonal imbalances affecting mood regulation
- Inflammatory markers indicating inflammation.
Suddenly, PN’s “mental health” issues had very physical explanations.
The Transformation: What Happened When We Treated the Whole Person
Once we began addressing PN’s nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances alongside his psychological Support for his stressors-
Month 1: The Foundation
- Started targeted nutritional supplementation
- Implemented an anti-inflammatory diet
- Began hormone balance protocols
- Continued psychological Support
Month 2: Early Signs of Hope
- Digestive symptoms began improving
- Energy levels started increasing
- Anxiety episodes became less frequent
- Sleep quality improved
Month 3: The Breakthrough
- Psychiatric medication dosage was reduced (under medical supervision)
- The digestive system is functioning normally
- Returned to work with confidence
- Overall quality of life dramatically improved
The “Aha!” Moment for His Family
“Doctor, we had no idea that nutrition and hormones could affect his mental state so dramatically. We thought mental health was just about thoughts and emotions.”This Family learned what I try to teach every patient:
Your brain doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s intricately connected to every system in your body.
Why This Matters?
PN’s story illustrates a crucial truth that could change your thought process about mental health:
The Four Pillars of Mental Wellness
- Psychological Support (counselling, therapy, coping strategies)
- Nutritional deficiencies (proper vitamins, minerals, and nutrients)
- Hormonal balance(balanced hormones for mood regulation)
- Inflammation Control
Most families focus only on pillar #1, wondering why progress is slow or limited.
The Hidden Connections You Need to Know
Your Gut-Brain Highway
- 70% of mood-regulating neurotransmitters are produced in your gut
- Poor digestion directly impacts mental clarity and emotional stability
- Inflammatory foods increase Inflammation in the body, which is related to systemic inflammation.
The Hormone-Mood/ Mental Health Connection
- Imbalanced hormones can mimic or worsen anxiety and depression
- Nutritional deficiencies prevent proper hormone production
- What looks like “mental illness” may be “physical illness” in disguise
The Inflammation and Mental Health
- Chronic Inflammation affects brain function
- Poor nutrition fuels inflammatory processes
- Antiinflammatory approaches can dramatically improve mental health outcomes
The Take-Home Message That Could Change Your Thought Process About Mental Health.
Your brain is part of your body.
This isn’t just a philosophical statement—it’s a biological fact that should revolutionise how you approach mental health. While it’s absolutely important to work on:
- Emotions and Negative Thinking Patterns
- Conflict resolution
- Psychotherapies for trauma healing
- Psychological coping strategies
You must also address:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hormonal imbalances
- Inflammatory biomarkers
- Digestive health
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health challenges:
- Don’t refuse basic blood testing. Blood work, hormone panels, and nutritional assessments aren’t “extra”—they’re essential.
- Think holistically. Mental health treatment should address both psychological and physical factors.
- Consider the whole person. Your brain needs more than counselling to heal—it needs proper nutrition, balanced hormones, and a healthy body.