Mind & Nervous

Mind & Nervous System natural medicine Cambridge

Thierry’s core speciality is in clinical homeopathy. This branch of homeopathy puts a strong emphasis on the importance of nutrition. Poor nutritional habits and dietary misconceptions can affect how our mind works and the body’s ability to nourish and repair our nervous system.

 

General nutritional suggestions for the mind / nervous system

– Never make yourself feel hungry but eat only good food (never buy packed or processed food),
– Porridge / oats is one of the best food for the nervous system, so include it in breakfast and in your diet,
– Always have a health snack ready to eat – fruit, bananas, oat/rice cakes are healthy alternatives,
– increase significantly your intake of virgin oil, seeds/nuts such as almonds, sunflower, pumpkin…
– eat eggs and fish regularly, especially fatty fish like sardines, herrings, mackerels (at least 3 times a week),
– eat organic diet free from food additives and chemicals,
– Try and reduce carbohydrates, and when you eat them use “complex carbohydrates” to maintain blood sugar levels. This includes wholegrain rice, whole wheat, quinoa, oats,
– drink plenty of water (1.5 to 2 litres a day for an adult).
– reduce processed foods, refined carbohydrates, salt and sugar,
– reduce or avoid stimulants such as artificial sweeteners, sweets, soft drinks, alcohol, coffee and black tea.

Nutritional suggestions for conditions affecting the nervous system

– Never make yourself feel hungry but eat only good food (never buy packed or processed food),
– It is important to increase food rich in potassium/sodium, and this includes vegetables, and the best are the cabbage family (kale…). Try and have daily.
– The other important nutrient for the nervous system is animal fat / good quality fat. If you are happy to eat them, have “fatty” fish (sardines, tuna, herring, mackerel…), red meat and pork and eggs. Cheese or yoghurt, and finally cold pressed oil are good. Your prescription will have a bit more details.
– Cut completely wheat – this grain has heavily changed since the Green Revolution of the 1960s. Most wheat in the UK is a short-type, which grows 3 or 4 times a year, compared to the traditional type, which grows
– Cut also sugar (and any food, which include sugar as an ingredient)
– Cut also any additives/preservative such as E-Number, chemical words such as Sodium Sulphate or Glutamate. While some are safe (like ascorbic acid or lecithin), many of them have a known poisonous effect on the guts’ flora or also impact the brain’s chemicals.
– Always have a health snack ready to eat – fruit, bananas, oat/rice cakes are healthy alternatives – do not go for processed food, you can buy in store.
– Increase significantly your intake of good fat, such as fish, virgin oil, seeds/nuts such as almonds, sunflower, pumpkin…
– Drink plenty of water (1.5 to 2 litres a day for an adult).
– Reduce or avoid stimulants such as artificial sweeteners, sweets, soft drinks. Alcohol, coffee and black tea can be taken in moderation with meals.
– Have a daily outdoor exercise or walk out of at least 30 minutes.
– Do some form of daily meditation or relaxation, see our Relaxation Section.

Nutritional advice for hyperactivity and ADHD

In my experience, a light version of the Feingold diet complements very well our support for children and adults suffering from such conditions. Follow the general suggestions above and put a special emphasis on the following:
– Strictly eliminate all artificial additives and synthetic sweeteners from the diet (this includes synthetic flavours and preservatives).
– While soft drinks, chocolate and sugar are not eliminated on the Feingold Program but we suggest stopping them completely for a round of treatment and re-introduce them one-by-one to see if there are any effects.
– Try and cut also wheat/gluten, sugar and food additives found in processed food (most E numbers or chemical components added on the food list). Try and cut these completely for 3 weeks and see how you feel then. This is the best way to know if food has a strong link with your emotional state.

Nutritional advice for panic attack and chronic anxiety

Follow the general suggestions above and put a special emphasis on the following:
– The three main culprits for nutritional issues and depression or anxiety are wheat/gluten, sugar and food additives found in processed food (most E numbers or chemical components added on the food list). Try and cut these completely for 3 weeks and see how you feel then. This is the best way to know if food has a strong link with your emotional state.
– Eat little and often – Never skip meals,
– never let yourself go hungry – your blood sugar levels should never drop too low. Always carry healthy snacks with you,
– avoid all stimulants: sugar, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, coffee…
– eat your whole grains only (whole wheat; whole rice,…),
– feed the brain with food rich in Omega-3, such as fatty fish (sardines, herring, mackerel, tuna…), seeds and nuts,
– have some protein with each meal,
– until the panic attack subsides, you can take a high dose B-complex which contains 100mg B1 & B2, and 500 mg Vitamin C twice daily.

Nutritional advice for depression / chronic sadness

Follow the General Suggestions above and put a special emphasis on the following:
– The three main culprits for nutritional issues and depression or anxiety are wheat/gluten, sugar and food additives found in processed food (most E numbers or chemical components added on the food list). Try and cut these completely for 3 weeks and see how you feel then. This is the best way to know if food has a strong link with your emotional state.
– Never get hungry, eat regularly and start meal with protein,
– Get as much natural sunlight as possible: exercise such as a daily walk out can have tremendous long-term positive effects.

Nutritional advice for autistic & other psychological problems

For the best types of food and the food too avoid in such issues, we have found that the GAPS Diet complements very well our approach. However, we suggest a better tailoring of the supplements, and this will be discussed in details during your consultation. The suggestions below are a lighter version of the GAPS diet, and there are a lot of information on the GAPS advice on the web. However, feel free to contact us if you wish more information. Follow these suggestions, very strictly:
– For the initial stage: eliminate all grains and have a diet free of dairy & casein. After a few rounds of treatment, the following types of dairy can be re-introduced one by one: homemade ghee and yoghurt and then goat milk.
– Strictly no preservative or additives (E-), and especially no MSG.
– No sugar or refined carbohydrate,
– No starch, such as potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, cassavas, Jerusalem artichokes.
All these fod can be re-introduced later.
– During the whole length of the treatment, we suggest to stick to food, which are gluten-free. See our “More resources” section for more advice in this area.
– Eggs, meat and fish are welcome, but only organic, and no cured/preserved meat or fish.
– Increase organic lentils and pulses, but soak and rinse before cooking.
– Use only organic vegetables. Fruit are also OK, but only ripe.
– Supplementation: as per prescription.

Specific nutritional suggestions for recurring ear problems

The ears require a similar diet than the rest o f the body, so as a guideline, check for our general advice for the following systems: immune, digestive and nervous. Several causes can explain recurrent ear problems, such as viral infection, poor mucus elimination or physical trauma. Beside taking the relevant treatment, the following should be avoided or reduced as much as possible: dairy products, sugar and refined carbohydrates (white bread, white pasta, white rice…), processed food. While less common, these food can also impact the health of your ears: eggs, peanuts, soy foods, soft drinks, tea and coffee, oranges and strawberries, soy products.

Specific nutritional suggestions for chronic eye problems

The eyes are one of the most complex parts of our body, with some extremely sensitive tissue parts. It is also a section of our body, which is difficult to nourish. Most vitamins and minerals are used extensively for our eyes, so taking a good multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplements until conditions improve is a good idea. Also, eat a diet based on organic fresh fruit and vegetables, plus grains, legumes.
If you have recurrent infection issues, then check our immune system advice. In terms of overall nourishment, billberry juice as a supplement is also extremely useful for the eyes.

Other suggestions for chronic eye problems

Relaxation and muscular excercises have been proven to improve vision and also reverse eye problems. If relevant, do daily eye exercises, such as the one indicated on our musculoskeletal section. This is especially good if you have some visual problems.
Look also the Bates Method book on the “Books for the Journey” page.

Please, use our advice only as part of a treatment from our health practitioner. Also, refer to our Disclaimer and Legal Requirements.

 

Thierry Clerc, MARH, Rhom, MSc
Registered Health Practitioner, Cambridge (UK)
Clinical Homeopath, Bioresonance Therapist, Nutritionist

Thierry Clerc is qualified and insured to practice as a homeopath and nutritionist in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

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