food as medicine

Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine

Jen Knutson
B vitamins, depression, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, hormones, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine, physical health
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Today I want to continue with the B-vitamin series. If you have not yet read the first post on vitamin B1, you can do so here. Next on the list is vitamin B6. It is my favourite B-vitamin because of its leading role in our physical and mental health. This vitamin is the basis for forming 50 different enzymes...

Vitamin B1 - Thiamine

Jen Knutson
B vitamins, depression, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine, physical health
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B vitamins are essential for physical and mental health. The reason being, they are needed for several functions within the body. For example, we need B vitamins to help increase and maintain feel good neurotransmitter levels, like serotonin. The adrenals absolutely love B vitamins and need them to function optimally. B vitamins are also necessary to support the nervous system, energy levels and so much more...

Nutrient Rich Food & Depression Part 2

Jen Knutson
depression, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine
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1 in 10 people will suffer from depression at some point in their lives². In fact, some researchers believe that that everyone will be impacted by depression at some point, whether that is their own or someone they know⁴. I find these figures frightening! If we are all affected by depression somehow, then it becomes normal, and it is not! Our bodies are not designed to be depressed, quite the opposite in fact. We are meant to be happy, thriving beings that are able to cope with the struggles that life brings. Instead of turning to conventional medicine for answers, we need to turn to the “farmacy”. The foods that provide protective factors against depression and can alleviate the symptoms to help reduce the number of people affected by the illness.

Nutrient Rich Food & Depression Part 1

Jen Knutson
antioxidants, depression, food and mood, food as medicine, inflammation, mood, nutritional medicine, oxidative stress
1 Comment

The notion that “we are what we eat” is not a new concept. In fact, for centuries people have studied the impact food has on health. The problem, however, is that much of the research has focused on the implications for physical health. That is, noncommunicable disease, such as obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and various forms of cancer have been the primary focus when it comes to food and health⁶. Unfortunately, mental health problems, such as depression, are also widespread and require further attention from the medical and health communities in regards to how food impacts mood.

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MEET JEN

Hello! Thank you popping by! I’m Jen. I'm a wife, a furmama to two gorgeous dogs, a Naturopath, Nutritionist, and an advocate for natural ways to support physical and emotional wellbeing. Oh, and I’m a CEO!

My journey originally started in Psychology. You see, when I was 16 my father took his own life after suffering years of a debilitating gambling addiction. I did a Bachelor’s in Psych as I wanted to understand why he made the choices that he did. I also wanted to ensure that I never went down that path and also help those suffering as he did. I loved it so much I went on to do a Masters.

It was during that time I got sick. I’m talking woke up one morning and couldn’t get out of bed, sick. For many years I felt helpless and frustrated!

Let me back up for a second. Prior to this life consisted of pain and fatigue. I had digestive issues and IBS from childhood. Through my teens and early 20's I was getting 2-3 migraines a month around my cycle and headaches more than half the month. My periods we very painful – I had to miss work or school the first 1-2 days. I would literally lie on the floor or the bed curled in the foetal position and cry from the pain. I could easily talk a full packet of Ibuprofen and still not get much relief.

Then, at 26, my period stopped altogether and things went downhill fast! For the first time in my life I was feeling apathetic and overwhelmed. Over the course of the next two years I was diagnosed with a host of conditions – are you ready for the laundry list? The first diagnosis was PCOS. I was told that I was infertile, that I would never have children, and that IVF wasn’t an option for me. I was also told that I was pre-diabetic, that my liver was worse than an alcoholic’s (and I don’t drink), that I had migraine disorder, vertigo, and adrenal fatigue. The cherry on the cake was a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s at 28.

I was in complete and utter shock. I couldn’t fathom that a 28-year-old Personal Trainer, who looked fit and healthy on the outside, could be in such disarray on the inside.

Over the two years I saw five doctors and a Naturopath and nothing improved.

And then one day a friend and I got in touch. She told me to change my diet and take specific supplements. I figured I had nothing to lose, and so I did! I went onto a low-carb diet and was taking upward of 30-40 pills a day…and guess what?! Three months later my period started!! How incredible is that?!

Over the next two years all of my health ailments rectified! Well, all except my Hashi’s – more on that in a minute. My cycles became clockwork, they were manageable, the migraines and vertigo disappeared and my liver and blood sugar levels returned to the normal range! How exciting is that?! The best part, I can now have children should I choose! Having that option is incredible!

Of course I was so excited and inspired that I had to go to school and study Nutritional Medicine and Naturopathy.

Now, let’s talk about my Hashi’s. That only went into remission when my toxic load was decreased. That was a lightbulb moment for me and the moment I got fired up to share with others the importance of leading a low-tox life. I love educating people where toxins are found, what impact they have on physical and emotional wellbeing, and what products to replace them with to support your wellbeing.

I sincerely believe that many of my health issues would not have presented if I were living a low-tox life. My Hashi’s has been in remission since I was 31 and I am so proud to say that! Praise God!

Life is so different to what it was 10 years ago. I have the energy and the mental capacity to engage in life! I am present and am thriving. Oh, and I laugh! I actually laugh out loud, something that eluded me for many years.

I am happy and healthy and it is my mission to help YOU be the happy, healthy person you are meant to be!

I would love for you to join our exclusive community and learn how you too can find freedom from physical and emotional barriers. I look forward to seeing you there!

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food as medicine

Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine

Vitamin B1 - Thiamine

Nutrient Rich Food & Depression Part 2

Nutrient Rich Food & Depression Part 1

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MEET JEN