As a licensed counselor and Certified (Replace with “trained”) Recovery Nutrition Coach in Crested Butte, CO, Darlene Egelhoff specializes in Amino Acid therapy and Integrative Nutrition for treatment of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, aggression, low motivation, low energy, chronic fatigue, insomnia drug and alcohol addiction, food addiction, overeating, hypoglycemia, and many other issues such as, poor memory, obsessive thoughts, compulsion, mood swings, PMS, ADD/ADHD, and PTSD.

Why Amino Acids?

Amino Acids are the most effective tool to improve moods and speed up psychotherapy. A well- nourished brain allows for more success faster and deeper for the long term and allows for better coping skills and improved relationships. No longer paralyzed bio chemically with exaggerated feelings of guilt, fear, and pain.

There are many reasons why your brain may be imbalanced such as long term stress, trauma, severe loss, chronic pain, diet, genetic predisposition, and addictions. When imbalances in neurotransmitters occur, information is not relayed optimally in the brain which causes symptoms. Most people exhibit more than one of these conditions but fail to make the connection between them.

It is well known that these issues are caused by neurotransmitter imbalance and deficiencies in the brain. Neurotransmitters are synthesized from amino acids obtained from protein in the diet. Amino acids are natural substances found in food. In supplement form as well as in the diet, they are an effective, holistic alternatives to anti-depressants and other prescribed drugs as they target the same neurotransmitters in the brain with no side-affects as they are natural supplements that can be found at most health food stores. They are anti-addictive as they rebuild neurotransmitter vesicles, or reservoir, needing LESS and less as time goes by with good nutrition. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Our bodies need amino acids to work properly, and they're crucial to metabolic function. Some amino acids are made by the body, and others come from your diet. Typically, when you consume a protein, your body breaks it down and what's left is the amino acid. Everything in the body is made from protein, including our hair, bones, and, of course, our brain’s anti-craving neurotransmitters.

Addictions and antidepressant, SSRI’s, reduce and deplete neurotransmitters as they keep re- uptake from happening so neurotransmitters stay in cleft longer in hopes of getting picked up by receptor site which inhibits recycling of neurotransmitters depleting their stores (addictive process) creating need for more SSRI or drug resulting in tolerance needing more for same effect along with withdrawals when stop.

I agree that there are times when prescribed drugs are very helpful if not essential. However, many mental health issues are not psychosomatic, and even those that are may be very successfully treated with Amino Acids.

No matter the cause, the solution is to get the body the necessary nutrients it needs to restore proper neurotransmitter function and prevent neurotransmitter depletion as much as possible.

Diet

Nutritional intervention is a key component of this therapy as the brain needs many specific nutrients to create neurotransmitters which are super-chemicals that send messages of reward and pleasure from one nerve to another throughout the brain and body. Increasing the communication of these positive messages reduces and eliminates mood related symptoms and cravings for addictive foods, substances, and behaviors. Each addicted person has a unique biochemistry that has to be assessed and corrected if recovery is to be swift and long lasting. Pioneers in the United States and Canada have been successfully applying nutritional science to addiction treatment since the 1980s. You may not be able to control all the factors that can cause neurotransmitter dysfunction, but you can control what you eat, how you handle stress and choose to give your body the nurturing and support necessary to achieve optimal neurotransmitter function, including properly balanced amino acid therapy which will allow you to overcome any of these deficits and live a balanced, healthy, happy life.

How it Works

Amino Acids are trialed with me in my office. Clients often feel results within minutes and significant change within a week if they take supplements as recommended and adhere to the pro-recovery diet. Some people can enjoy complete results in as quickly as a week and others may take a month to two months. Clients who are dealing with mental health issues or are in recovery from addictions may need to continue with Amino Acid supplements longer. The goal is to have Amino Acids be a kick start to relieve symptoms and restore brain functioning for a few months and to eventually be able to maintain through diet and lifestyle alone. We will meet every week or two in order to fine tune your program and get your neurotransmitters functioning properly and optimally restored.

Addictions

Nobody chooses to be addicted. Addiction catches us, it makes us lose choice. Addiction is a disease of the brain that requires a focus on brain repair. Darlene uses many of the same psycho- spiritual practices as conventional treatment programs, and in addition to providing the brain the nourishment it needs. Nutritional intervention and Amino Acid therapy is the missing link to recovery from all addictions as well as many other mental health issues.

Weight and Food Issues

Modern weight gain has to do with much more formidable problems, like brain neurotransmitter dysfunction, appetite-hormone dysregulation, and genetic misprogramming. It is a deep, complex, and often harmful issue. With the Amino’s, you can easily improve the kind of calories you eat as well as lose your desire for excessive calories.

Brain-targeted amino acid supplements eliminate cravings for toxic, high-calorie, low-nutrient, weight-disturbing, craving-promoting foods. These same Amino’s, teamed with a stabilizing diet, eliminate the negative moods and overstress that drive us to “emotional overeating.” Weight loss begins with craving elimination which is best accomplished with nutritional brain repair.