Episode 93: The Immune system and Mental health with Dr. Emily Gutierrez

I'm delighted to be back with for episode 93 of Season Six of The One Thing podcast.

This episode comes at an opportune time as many individuals are grappling with shifts in their mental well-being due to seasonal changes, alterations in weather, and fluctuations in the natural environment. There my be worsening ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism, or PANS/PANDAS fluctuations especially with viral/flu season upon us.

These changes can often spark curiosity about the reasons behind these fluctuations. What does the immune system have to do on with mental health and behavior?

When considering the crucial link between the immune system and mental health, I couldn't think of a more suitable guest than Dr. Emily Gutierrez, ‪@neuronutritionassociates184‬

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Gutierrez through IntellxxDNA.

Her expertise lies in comprehending the intersection of nutrition, the immune system, and mental health. Specifically, she focuses on how genetics and nutrition influence cognitive functions in individuals with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, and pans/ pandas, and more.
Her profound knowledge in these areas is evident throughout this episode as she provides a well-structured framework for understanding the interplay between mental health and the immune system, exploring various factors driving immune responses.

Notably, neurotransmitters like glutamate play a pivotal role in the realm of mental health, a topic we delve deeply into during our discussion. We touch upon which genetic elements contribute to immune system activation, as well as the environmental triggers that impact both the immune system and mental well-being.

See below for resources mentioned in the episode: links in the comments
Glutamate Support- Calming Support
Glutamate Support- NAC 800mg
Serotonin Support- Mood Support
Haroon, E., Miller, A. & Sanacora, G. Inflammation, Glutamate, and Glia: A Trio of Trouble in Mood Disorders. Neuropsychopharmacol 42, 193–215 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2016.199

About: DR. EMILY GUTIERREZ, DNP, CPNP, APRN, PMHS, IFM-CP
Dr. Gutierrez is a doctor of nursing practice and pediatric nurse practitioner that has been providing pediatric functional medicine care to patients for over a decade. She received her doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and her masters degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner at the University of Texas in Austin, TX. Dr. Gutierrez is board certified in functional medicine by the Institute of Functional Medicine in addition to dual board certifications by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board as both a pediatric nurse practitioner and a primary care mental health specialist. Dr. Gutierrez is adjunct faculty at Johns Hopkins University and a fellow of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs. She has a busy pediatric functional medicine practice in Austin, Texas, and also is a founder of Neuro Nutrients, a nutraceutical company that provides custom formulations for supporting mental health needs naturally.