ELEMENTS OF RECOVERY

How to break food, drug and alcohol addictions, bite by bite.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for addiction - does it work?

May 31, 2017 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Biochemistry Balancing, Depression, Emotional Management

Substituting one addiction for another does not break the fundamental chains of addiction. It is well-known in the addiction field, that if we do not master to rewire our brain to find new paths of pleasure, relapse is only a feeling away.

We cannot drug our way out of addiction.

That said, instead of going cold-turkey (which taps right into our black-white addictive thinking), it might prove very useful to take it step-by-step and beginning our journey into recovery by substituting our primary drug of choice for a secondary. Substitution can be an important player in helping us not getting overwhelmed by the intense withdrawal that often leave us completely drained, lethargic and quite often suicidal. But what does the science say about medication-assisted treatment for addiction?

Why do more women than men have eating disorders?

May 18, 2017 by Christina Santini in Binge Eating, Biochemistry Balancing, Anorexia, Eating Disorders

Well, that's actually a very simple question to answer. And no, it is not society, it's not skinny models or social pressure. And then again - those things can all be the trigger that offsets the gun aka the underlying disposition. Still, if you are not biochemically wired to be vulnerable to using and abusing food and starvation, you will never turn to food as your method of coping with life. You might instead turn to dopamine enhancing behaviors - i.e. certain drugs, smoking (both serotonin and dopamine inducing), excessive shopping, sex addiction or even kleptomania. Women actually have only 52% serotonin of that of men. This means women are super vulnerable to anything that depletes serotonin - we don't have a buffer, so to say. Serotonin is easily to influence through food and starvation.

Nutrient deficiencies that make you ANXIOUS!

May 11, 2017 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Anxiety, Biochemistry Balancing, Depression

Anxiety is a chemical reaction in the body. This reaction becomes chronic regardless of our psychological toolbox, if we are deficient in some core nutrients involved in the production of the calming neurotransmitter called GABA. Click on to read more about nutrients involved in feeling anxious.

Feeling irritable? Try Roman chamomile.

March 29, 2017 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Biochemistry Balancing, Emotional Management, Natural Medicine

I am a big fan of Roman chamomile. Not just chamomile tea, but the actual essential oil Roman chamomile. The essential oil is much more powerful than the tea of it. It has a soothing effect on the body and mind and is scientifically shown to target apigenin that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain which makes for a calming sensation without any side-effects. This makes it especially valuable for those dealing with irritation, impatience and feeling disagreeable aka moody.

The 6 Sensing Aspects of Food

March 15, 2017 by Christina Santini in Biochemistry Balancing, Emotional Management, Intuitive Eating, Superfoods In Recovery, Stress Tools

Sweetness helps to cool the system. Sweet natural foods generally help to rebuild tissue and nourish us. These foods feel calming when we are stressed or feeling "fire". The key here is to choose blood sugar balancing meals that are rich in fats yet contain the sweet flavor to provide the cooling sensation. When we eat isolated sweetness in the form of carbs, we experience a quick relief that may feel like it is cooling, but because it is not sustainable due to fluctuating blood sugar, we quickly gain more fire once our blood sugar drops once again.

Depression might be due to inflammation

March 02, 2017 by Christina Santini in Biochemistry Balancing, Depression, Superfoods In Recovery, Natural Medicine

More and more research is pointing in the direction that depression might be associated with chronic inflammation. And thus explaining why an anti-inflammatory nutrition strategy like including plenty of fish oil, turmeric, broccoli etc. has shown to be valuable in treating depression.

Binge Eating Disorder doesn't necessarily look fat

January 25, 2017 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Binge Eating, Biochemistry Balancing

Binge Eating Disorder is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed eating disorders. Yes, you can have Binge Eating Disorder without being fat. And yes, you can struggle with a weight problem without having Binge Eating Disorder or any eating disorder for that matter. It is expected to occur in approx. 30% of obese individuals, but some people do indeed have Binge Eating Disorder without being technically obese. Food addiction is the main driver in Binge Eating Disorder. Animal studies have shown that rats can become addicted to natural food substances like sugar. Hoebel et al. maintained rats on a schedule of 12-hour food restriction followed by 12-hour access to a 25% glucose or 10% sucrose solution and rodent chow.

Saffron for depression

January 18, 2017 by Christina Santini in Biochemistry Balancing, Depression

By 2020, depression is expected to be the world’s second-leading cause of disability according to Center for Disease Control. New research has shown that the yellow spice saffron is likely THE MOST effective remedy against depression (if not caused by heavy metal toxicity though - then you need to rid your brain of heavy metals first!). Saffron works for serotonin imbalance related depression.

The biology of starvation

January 11, 2017 by Christina Santini in Anorexia, Binge Eating, Biochemistry Balancing, Eating Disorders

The Minnesota experiment that was led by Ancel Keys, focused on how hunger and starvation affect humans. It is pretty interesting and worth a read to fully understand why humans tend to gain back more weight when they diet excessively. Many in the study reported eating excessively after they left Minnesota; Jasper Garner described it as a “year-long cavity” that needed to be filled.

3 ways Ashwagandha work for stress

December 28, 2016 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Biochemistry Balancing, Stress Tools, Superfoods In Recovery, Sleep

Ashwagandha has been shown to positively affect the neural receptors responsible for receiving GABA, an important neurotransmitter in reducing anxiety and worry.

How to become an intuitive eater

September 28, 2016 by Christina Santini in Biochemistry Balancing, Intuitive Eating, Superfoods In Recovery, Transformation Keys

When was the last time you thought about how that slice of buttered bread felt in your body? The key to master effortless health without obsessing about what to eat when, is to simply get back in tune with our body. Everything we eat has an immediate impact on our body's biochemistry. Health is about balancing our biochemistry.

Why Anorexics feel better starving themselves.

September 21, 2016 by Christina Santini in Biochemistry Balancing, Eating Disorders, Anorexia

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) enter a vicious cycle, whereby malnutrition and weight loss drive the desire for further restricted eating and emaciation. Evidence suggests that, compared with healthy individuals: individuals who are vulnerable to developing an eating disorder might have a trait [prior to eating disorder onset] for increased extracellular serotonin (5‑HT) concentrations and [a different ratio] in postsynaptic 5‑HT 1A and 5‑HT 2A receptor activity”. These two changes, together “might contribute to increased satiety and an anxious, harm‑avoidant temperament. In other words, the biological drive for anorexia is related to an elevation of serotonin. So what is the best meal program for someone disposed to elevated serotonin?

3 tips to get through cravings

September 14, 2016 by Christina Santini in Binge Eating, Biochemistry Balancing, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Superfoods In Recovery

How do you manage the cravings in early recovery? Do you have a strategy for when those cravings hit? Do you know some easy things you can and should plan ahead to avoid those pesky cravings? Today I am giving you 3 super simple tips on how to manage cravings. Yes it is almost too simple, but they work. Always keep it simple - the important thing is just to actually do it, and not just read about it.

What is Pitta in Ayurveda?

August 10, 2016 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Binge Eating, Biochemistry Balancing, Superfoods In Recovery

Summer is Pitta season - pitta is also one of the 3 personal constitution types in Eastern medicine: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each roughly corresponds to what we in Western medicine call serotonin, dopamin and GABA dominant natures. Pitta imbalance is often seen in overeating and binge patterns.

Are acidic foods bad?

July 20, 2016 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Biochemistry Balancing, Superfoods In Recovery, Sleep

If you are a vegetarian or rarely eat meat and have a craving for carbs and just don’t feel satisfied until you are filled up on breads, pastas or sweets, you may have unstable blood sugar due to a deficiency of protein.

Omega 3 from plant vs. marine sources

July 13, 2016 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Superfoods In Recovery, Biochemistry Balancing

In recent years, a "myth" of sorts has sprung up, where people who avoid animal foods believe they can simply consume plant-based omega-3 ALA to meet their needs. But this isn't true and the science doesn't support this assertion. Omega-3s EPA and DHA from marine animal and plant sources are NOT interchangeable. Plant sources that contain omega-3 ALA do not provide the same benefits as the omega-3s you find in marine sources.

Do toxins play a role in addiction?

June 08, 2016 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Binge Eating, Biochemistry Balancing

Addictive behaviors, such as certain eating disorders like binge eating, overeating and addictions to sugar, alcohol, smoking, chronic masturbation, sexual addictions, etc. all have their root in the brain. A toxic and nutritionally deficient brain is far more prone to addictive behaviors. Heavy metals like mercury can totally screw up our dopaminergic system and make us more likely to engage in addictive behaviors unable to quit them.

The no. 1 fat that detox toxins and emotional stress.

March 30, 2016 by Christina Santini in Biochemistry Balancing, Emotional Management, Natural Medicine, Stress Tools, Superfoods In Recovery

Our emotional health is closely tied to our physical health. For every emotion there is a biochemical equation. As an example, when we are under stress, we store fat and crave sugar, carbs and stimulants. We also store “molecules of emotion” in our fat cells.

Why a strong sex-drive is an indicator of strong health

March 09, 2016 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Biochemistry Balancing, Intimacy, Stress Tools

According to a 2008 study in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 38.7% of women report decreased libido as their primary sexual health concern. What has sex got to do with addiction and recovery you might think? Well, the biochemical imbalances following an addiction often leads to a complete wipe out in sex drive.

Abstinence vs. moderation

March 02, 2016 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Binge Eating, Biochemistry Balancing, Eating Disorders, Intuitive Eating, Transformation Keys

Is it all or nothing - what do you think? I like to think that most things in life can be enjoyed in moderation. Although learning to embrace parts of something that has once controlled one, can be difficult. And indeed for some substances it is not possible, as the biochemical component is too strong to ever gain a sense of how to enjoy in moderation again. Yet, from my years of having worked in the addiction field, I am convinced that the deeper lesson of addiction is to embrace the gray zone.