Julia Ross drew a crowd of about 50 on Monday, a record for our gatherings!
We first had a delicious potluck dinner ~ there was lots of variety: a winter squash soup, a lentil dish, pumpkin custard, homemade gummies, tasty salads, ground cherries, sauerkraut, ~ too many dishes to list.
Deborah Landowne spoke briefly about how homeopathy can help with depression and the connection between grief and sadness and the heart. She listed some remedies but suggested working with a qualified homeopath to find the most appropriate one.
Maureen Donohoe, Marin County WAPF Co-Chapter Leader, then spoke about the importance of good quality fat for our neurotransmitters and how good fat helps mineral absorption.
Julia Ross was trained as a psychotherapist in the 1970’s.
She said that the mood of this country has changed dramatically since the 1970’s. She noted that there were very little depression, anxiety, insomnia and weight problems prior to 1970. Depression and anxiety were rare and were related to circumstances such as loss, and job or relationship stresses. Psychotherapy was helpful for those situations. Now, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, attention span and sleep difficulties and insomnia are rampant and aren’t helped much at all by psychotherapy.
Prior to 1970 we were eating a mood supportive diet. But in the 1970’s meat and fat were demonized and high fructose corn syrup was introduced. To compensate for the decreased protein and fat, more carbohydrates were eaten. Soy was also strongly promoted.
Protein is critical for brain function. Without adequate protein one can’t build the neurotransmitters that are so important for mood and happiness. It’s also important for serotonin production ~ specifically the amino acid, tryptophan. She called serotonin our inner sunshine. She said it’s very difficult to get enough tryptophan without eating meat and other animal protein.
Julia recommends eating a generous amount of protein (20-35 grams) three times per day.
She said that the recovery movement started in the late 1970’s and in the 1980’s there was an explosion of addictive behaviors caused by deficiencies of neurotransmitters in the brain. These addictive behaviors don’t usually respond to psychotherapy. The brain needs some simple nutritional therapy.
For people suffering from depression, anxiety, addictive behaviors, mood disorders, etc, she recommends amino acids to help reprogram the brain. Julia handed out a symptom sheet (see here) that she uses with her patients to help determine specific amino acids needed. She suggested starting on the amino acids, which will help balance mood and relieve symptoms quickly. The person with these symptoms will then be more flexible and open to incorporating a healthier diet ~ plenty of protein, good quality fat and lots of vegetables.
For more information, contact Julia Ross or read her books:
She is a pioneer in the field of nutrition as it impacts mood, behavior, and addiction. She is the author of two best sellers: The Diet Cure and The Mood Cure. Her brain-targeted nutritional therapies have been featured frequently on radio and television and in many publications.
By Karen Hamilton-Roth