Nutritional Psychiatry Specialist

What is nutritional psychiatry?

You can’t read the news these days without seeing an article about a new superfood guaranteed to improve your health and help you lose weight. Unfortunately, there’s no single food or ingredient to enhance your health. 

Nutritional psychiatry studies the effects of nutrient-rich and nutrient-deficient diets on your mental health. Historically, psychiatry has focused on the minute aspects of mental health, studying specific neurotransmitters, and finding ways to improve brain function. Nutritional psychiatry takes a more holistic view and considers the overall health of the patient and their lifestyle — including their diet.

At Wyckoff Wellness Center, Dr. Gentile takes a patient-focused, multidisciplinary approach to psychiatry. He creates customized treatment plans that include dietary changes as well as psychopharmacology and therapy. 

What should I expect from nutritional psychiatry?

Studies show that a nutritionally deficient diet can contribute to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Dr. Gentile works with you to create and implement a meal plan that delivers the nutrients your brain and body need for optimal functionality that is also delicious and fulfilling.

For example, there is plenty of evidence about the physical and mental benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of vegetables, fruit, lean proteins, and whole grains. However, there’s more than one way to eat healthily. Dr. Gentile works with you to identify foods that you want to eat to create a meal plan that you can stick to, even on the toughest days.

What are the benefits of nutritional psychiatry?

The main benefit of nutritional psychiatry is that you start to feel better. You notice that you have more energy. Your sleep improves, and instead of having to drag yourself out of bed in the morning after hitting the snooze button a few times, you wake up feeling refreshed. Your mood improves as well, and you feel less anxious and irritable. 

Be patient with yourself. Not only does changing your diet take time, but feeling the effects of a nutritious diet also takes time. However, surviving cravings for sugar, salt, and fat is worth the effort. 

If you’re interested in nutritional psychiatry and improving your mental and physical wellness, call Wyckoff Wellness Center or make an appointment online today.