Brain and Behavioural Health conditions

Our unique approach to treating Brain and Behavioral Health conditions.

Importance of brain health

Dr. Joy explains the importance of focusing on brain health to achieve overall well-being.

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Improve Mood. Reduce Stress. Prevent Disease.

Approximately 1 in every 5 people in the U.S. suffers from a Mental Health Condition. It’s truly a modern epidemic with a staggering 450 million people around the world suffering from Brain and Behavioral health conditions. For decades, treatment of such conditions has focused on using drugs and alter the activity of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters. This often leads to a series of serious side effects and significantly reduces quality of life. However, with the latest advancements in understanding of complex functioning of human brain and epigenetics, it is now possible to transform the healing journey. Nutrient deficiencies or toxicities affect the genes that regulate the brain hormone production. Primary raw materials for the synthesis of many neurotransmitters, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other natural biochemicals play a defining role in the overall brain health. Using this knowledge, brain and behavioral health conditions can be addressed in a more holistic and natural way. This new approach centers on Advance Nutrient Therapy (ANT) or Walsh Approach. At Minerva Clinic, we practice a 360° approach which integrates innovative medical modalities, latest technologies, and Advanced Nutrient Therapy with the wisdom of holistic thinking! Apart from looking into nutrient imbalances and epigenetic influences, we consider the gut/brain connection, hormone health, toxic overload (i.e., heavy metals, xenobiotics, etc.), injuries, oral health, EMF toxicity, life traumas, nutrition and lifestyle, sleep, and relationship to self and life at large.

What is the Walsh Approach?

Advanced Nutrient Therapy, or the ‘Walsh Approach’, focuses on addressing nutrient deficiencies and excesses affecting brain neurohormone synthesis and production, based on the Epigenomics. It is a unique and individualized vitamin, mineral, and amino acid prescription which is used to treat biochemical imbalances that cause various mental disorders.

We are all Biochemically Unique

Biochemical factors influence our personalities, behaviours, mental health, and immune functions. There are about 60 chemical elements in our bodies and each plays a key role in the expression of our genes. We inherit characteristics from our parents as well as from several ancestors on both sides of our families. While diet and stressful life events can create biochemical imbalances, the root cause often goes back to genetics and epigenetics (influence of environmental factors in a person’s life that turn genes ‘on’ and ‘off’ without changing the DNA sequence.) Nutrient imbalances (both deficiencies and excess) can alter brain levels of key neurotransmitters and in turn lead to brain and behavioural health issues. At Minerva Clinic, we do specific biochemical laboratory testing to determine an individual’s biochemical imbalances. Based on the results of this assessment, we prescribe an individualised and compounding vitamin, mineral, and nutrient protocol to help our patients recover from various health conditions. Proper balance of critical brain chemicals is imperative for our physical and mental health. Therefore, correcting biochemical imbalances is key to optimal health and wellness. By providing a more holistic treatment, we augment your body’s ability to restore its nutrient balance and support DNA repair and production of Neurotransmitters. A shift from traditional methods, the Walsh Approach has been proven to provide great results for those struggling with behavioural conditions, helping them inch closer to living their lives to the fullest. Using the Walsh Approach as a guiding principle, our Brain and Behavioural health experts craft a holistic treatment plan customized to your unique biochemistry, which can lead to:
  • Increased Energy
  • Reduced Anxiety and Irritability
  • Better Decision-Making and Improved Cognitive Performance
  • Enhanced Focus and Memory
  • Better Ability to Cope with Stressors
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Most Common Biochemical Imbalances

Undermethylation

Obsessive compulsive tendencies, oppositional defiant disorder or depression are some of the common conditions exhibited by undermethylators with low serotonin activity. They generally exhibit perfectionism, competitiveness, strong will, self-criticism to name a few. Instead of using serotonin enhancing medications, we use a more natural approach to directly repair the underlying problem and correct their biochemical imbalances.

Overmethylation

Many people who suffer from anxiety and depression are overmethylated which results in excessive activity of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Typical symptoms include underachievement, upper body pain, adverse reaction to SSRI’s, to name a few. They have a generic tendency to be very depressed with low folates and B vitamins. They may also be overloaded in copper and methionine.

Pyrrole Disorder

Common feature of many behaviour and emotional disorders is pyroluria, an inborn error of pyrrole chemistry which results in deficiency of zinc and vitamin B6. Common symptoms include anxiety, overwhelmingness, sensory overload, emotional mood swings, poor short-term memory, frequent infections etc. Biomedical treatment approach focuses on restoring the body with necessary nutrients.

Metal Metabolism

Genetic inability to control copper, zinc, manganese and other trace metals in the body can trigger or amplify various conditions like ADHD, anger, irritability, behavioural disorders and hormonal depression. Treatments focusing on stimulation of metallothionein using trace metals, amino acids, and vitamin B6 are beneficial for addressing these imbalances.

Where We Can Help

Apart from the above biochemical imbalances, we also investigate hormonal dysregulation, gut infections, malabsorption, leaky gut, heavy metal exposure, air way assessment, environmental toxic overload, chronic infections, EMF stress, torsion fields, trauma, interference fields, nutrition, lifestyle, sleep and stress assessment etc. Our unique treatment methodologies are designed to help you heal and manage the following conditions:
  • Autism
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Disruptive Behavior Disorder
  • Eating Disorder – Anorexia, Bulimia
  • Learning Disorder
  • Methylation Imbalances
  • Neurodegeneration (Early)
  • Neuralgia
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Pyrrole Disorder
  • Panic Attacks
  • Sleep Concerns
  • Schizophrenia
  • Stress Management

What Can You Expect When You Visit Minerva Clinic?

DR. Richa Joy, Founder and Medical Director at Minerva Clinic, will personally work with you to understand your health concerns and design a treatment plan. She completed her AFMCP Certification from the Institute of Functional Medicine and received Advanced Nutrient Therapy (ANT) training for Brain health directly under Dr. William Walsh & Dr. Albert Mensah. Though each individual’s treatment plan is unique, it is broadly divided into 3 steps.

First/Initial visit (60mins)

  • Detailed biological/functional assessment,advanced biofeedback/neurofeedback testing,
  • HRV testing for appropriate cases
  • Review of any past lab results and investigations Special labs ordered

Second visit/Consultation (45mins)

  • Reviewing of Lab results (old & new) and providing necessary education and handouts
  • Emphasis on nutrients, herbal remedies, nutrition, lifestyle, sleep hygiene, stress management, mindfulness practices etc. For Chronic/complex conditions, Personalized Detox-therapy plan and/or Regeneration oxidative therapies plan is made.

Third visit/Consultation

  • Assessment of your progress and response to therapies and treatment protocols till then
  • Any adjustment or additions that may need to be made are assessed
  • Personalized compounding prescriptions (for brain and behavioral health / WALSH protocol) are discussed in this visit
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