Power Up Recovery with Nutrition Podcast Podcast Por Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition arte de portada

Power Up Recovery with Nutrition Podcast

Power Up Recovery with Nutrition Podcast

De: Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition
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Explore the powerful connection between nutrition, mental health, and addiction recovery with Christina Veselak, a trailblazer in nutritional mental health and founder of the Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition. This interview-based podcast, "Power Up Recovery with Nutrition," dives deep into how amino acids and targeted nutritional strategies can transform brain chemistry, build resilience, and support sustainable recovery. Christina's expertise is showcased through engaging interviews with leading experts, practitioners, and inspiring voices from the recovery community, as well as solo episodes addressing key topics in the field. Whether you're on a personal recovery journey, a functional nutritionist seeking advanced tools, or a healthcare professional eager to expand your knowledge, this podcast offers practical advice, compelling stories, and the latest innovations. Academy members will find it an invaluable resource for deeper learning and staying connected to cutting-edge practices. Explore how Christina Veselak bridges the gap between nutrition and mental well-being, one conversation at a time. Fuel your recovery, elevate your practice, and empower transformation. It's time to make nutrition part of the conversation. Tune in to "Power Up Recovery with Nutrition" and join us as we unlock the potential of targeted nutrition to support mental health and addiction recovery.2025 Higiene y Vida Saludable
Episodios
  • Inside a Methadone Clinic: Using Nutrition to Support Addiction Recovery with Patrick Zerwas S02E28

    Inside a Methadone Clinic: Using Nutrition to Support Addiction Recovery with Patrick Zerwas S02E28
    Mar 11 2026
    In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with addiction counselor Patrick Zerwas to explore a powerful but often overlooked dimension of addiction treatment: nutrition and amino acid therapy inside a methadone clinic. Patrick shares his remarkable journey from more than two decades of active addiction to over 26 years in long term recovery and a career dedicated to helping others rebuild their lives. Now working as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in a medication assisted treatment setting, Patrick brings a rare combination of lived experience, academic training, and clinical practice to the conversation. Together, Christina and Patrick discuss how targeted nutrition, amino acid therapy, and stable blood sugar can help restore brain chemistry during recovery. They explore how neurotransmitter depletion contributes to cravings, mood instability, and relapse vulnerability, and why feeding the brain with protein, essential nutrients, and specific amino acids can dramatically improve treatment outcomes. Patrick also shares real world examples from his work in a methadone clinic, including how nutrients such as tyrosine, glutamine, magnesium, and vitamin C can support withdrawal, reduce cravings, and stabilize mood. Through telehealth counseling and practical coaching, he is helping patients begin to understand how nutrition can complement medication assisted treatment and strengthen recovery. This episode offers an honest look inside addiction treatment and highlights how nutrition, neuroscience, and compassionate counseling can work together to support lasting recovery. Key Topics Covered How Patrick's personal recovery journey led him into addiction counseling What life inside a methadone clinic looks like for patients and clinicians Why nutrition is often the missing piece in addiction recovery programs How neurotransmitter depletion drives cravings, anxiety, and relapse risk The role of amino acid therapy in supporting dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin balance Using tyrosine to help reduce stimulant cravings and support motivation Glutamine for stabilizing blood sugar and reducing sugar cravings Vitamin C and magnesium to support withdrawal and improve medication response Why many patients in recovery are severely protein deficient How food insecurity and limited access to healthy food affect recovery outcomes Teaching practical nutrition skills within addiction treatment settings Why feeding the brain can dramatically improve therapy engagement and emotional stability The role of harm reduction and medication assisted treatment in modern recovery models How nutrition can help people gradually stabilize and rebuild brain chemistry Meet Our Guest Patrick Zerwas, LADC, brings over two decades of professional experience in addiction counseling, supported by long term personal recovery and a lived understanding of substance use disorder. Before entering the profession, Patrick spent 22 years in active addiction, an experience he often describes as being on the "research committee." His journey took him from high school dropout and homelessness to sustained recovery and academic achievement. He graduated Cum Laude from Saint Cloud State University, earning dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling and Psychology. This combination of formal education and lived experience informs his direct, pragmatic, and client centered clinical approach. Patrick is currently employed as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor at STS Specialized Treatment Services in Minneapolis, where he works within a Medication Assisted Treatment setting. He also owns and operates Evolution Counseling Services, providing counseling services focused on recovery stabilization, nutrition, behavioral health, and long term change. In addition to his clinical credentials, Patrick is a Level One Certified Recovery Nutrition Coach. He is particularly interested in the intersection of addiction recovery, mental health, neurobiology, and nutrition, and how metabolic health influences relapse risk, mood regulation, and cognitive function. Patrick brings a grounded, evidence informed, and experience tested perspective to conversations about addiction, recovery systems, medication assisted treatment, and the evolving role of nutrition in addiction and mental health treatment. Practical Takeaways Addiction recovery requires rebuilding brain chemistry, not just stopping substances. Many people entering recovery are severely depleted in nutrients and protein. Targeted amino acids can help restore neurotransmitter balance and reduce cravings. Stable blood sugar and regular protein intake are foundational for emotional stability. Vitamin C, magnesium, and amino acids may support withdrawal and medication assisted treatment. Nutrition education can empower people in recovery to rebuild their health and resilience. Feeding the brain is a powerful tool for improving mood, ...
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    48 m
  • Burnout to Brain Vitality: A Functional Medicine Approach to Mental Health with Cynthia Libert, MD S02E27

    Burnout to Brain Vitality: A Functional Medicine Approach to Mental Health with Cynthia Libert, MD S02E27
    Feb 28 2026
    In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with Cynthia Libert, a functional and integrative physician specializing in metabolic psychiatry, brain health optimization, and cognitive decline prevention. Drawing from her own experience with professional burnout, Dr. Libert shares how she transitioned from conventional family medicine into a root-cause, nutrition-centered model of care that restores emotional and neurological resilience. Together, Christina and Dr. Libert explore the powerful intersection of nutrient status, inflammation, blood sugar regulation, and mental health. They discuss how targeted lab testing can reveal hidden drivers of anxiety, depression, cognitive changes, and burnout — and how precision nutrition can often restore balance faster than many expect. Throughout the conversation, they reference the work of pioneers in functional and integrative medicine, including James Greenblatt, Dale Bredesen, William Walsh, and Dr. John Wilson, whose clinical insights into nutrient deficiencies and individualized care helped shape modern integrative psychiatry. This episode bridges functional psychiatry, preventive brain health, and real-world clinical experience — offering both science and hope. Key Topics Covered How professional burnout can signal deeper metabolic and nutrient imbalances Why omega-3 deficiency is common — and how quickly replenishment can shift mood The role of magnesium in anxiety, migraines, muscle tension, blood pressure, and emotional regulation Why zinc and copper balance matters for mood, cognition, and postpartum mental health Low ferritin, B12, and magnesium as hidden contributors to depression and fatigue Inflammation markers (CRP) and homocysteine as early warning signs for cognitive decline Blood sugar instability and reactive hypoglycemia as drivers of irritability, anxiety, and relapse vulnerability Creatine, mitochondrial support, and sparing methylation pathways to reduce homocysteine Midlife as a critical window for preventing neurodegeneration Emerging research from Dr. Dale Bredesen's team showing potential reversal of early Alzheimer's through precision medicine Meet Our Guest Cynthia Libert, MD, is a board-certified family physician and functional medicine practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience. She is the Founder and Medical Director of Caring for the Body, PLLC – Center for Functional Medicine in Asheville, North Carolina, where she specializes in brain health, burnout prevention, mood disorders, and the root-cause treatment and prevention of cognitive decline. Dr. Libert integrates evidence-based nutrition, lifestyle medicine, functional psychiatry, and compassionate whole-person care to help patients restore metabolic, emotional, and neurological resilience. With advanced training influenced by leaders such as James Greenblatt in integrative psychiatry and Dale Bredesen in cognitive decline research, she brings a precision, lab-guided approach to mental health care. She is passionate about the connection between nutrition, mental health, addiction recovery, and long-term brain vitality. Through her clinical work, teaching, and media platforms, Dr. Libert empowers individuals to understand their biology, nourish their brains, and step into lives marked by clarity, resilience, and lasting vitality. To Connect LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/drcindylibert References, Experts & Concept Mentioned James Greenblatt – Functional and integrative psychiatry fellowship training Dale Bredesen – Precision medicine approach to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's prevention William Walsh – Zinc, copper, methylation, and postpartum mental health research Dr. John Wilson – Environmental and integrative medicine mentor emphasizing individualized nutrient deficiencies Functional psychiatry and precision medicine approaches to cognitive decline Homocysteine as a risk marker for neurodegeneration C-reactive protein (CRP) as a measure of systemic inflammation Omega-3 fatty acid testing (EPA/DHA status) Zinc–copper balance in mood and cognitive function Magnesium threonate vs. magnesium glycinate for brain support Continuous glucose monitoring for metabolic stability Creatine for mitochondrial energy and brain resilience Reactive hypoglycemia research linking blood sugar instability to mood and behavioral disorders Practical Takeaways Burnout is often metabolic — not simply emotional. Testing nutrient status can reveal treatable drivers of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Omega-3 replenishment can produce noticeable mood shifts in a relatively short time. Stable blood sugar and adequate protein intake are foundational for emotional stability. Magnesium, zinc, B12, ferritin, and vitamin D are frequently overlooked in conventional mental health care. Midlife is a powerful opportunity to prevent future cognitive decline through targeted lifestyle changes. Prevention of neurodegeneration begins decades ...
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    48 m
  • ADHD Recovery Through Nutrition: Fueling the Brain for Stability with Annika Angelo S02E26

    ADHD Recovery Through Nutrition: Fueling the Brain for Stability with Annika Angelo S02E26
    Feb 11 2026
    Protein, Omega-3s, Gut Health and Brain-Based Strategies for Focus, Mood and Long-Term Recovery In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, host Christina Veselak sits down with Annika Angelo, MS, one of the leading experts on the research between ADHD and nutrition, to explore how targeted nutritional strategies can support ADHD symptoms, emotional regulation, and long-term recovery. Together, they unpack the powerful connection between ADHD, brain chemistry, blood sugar stability, gut health, and omega-3 fatty acids—and why recovery outcomes improve when we address the biological needs of the brain. This conversation bridges cutting-edge research with real-life practicality, offering compassionate, achievable steps for individuals in recovery who also struggle with ADHD. From amino acids like L-theanine and tyrosine, to high-dose omega-3 research, to the importance of protein, fiber, and nervous system safety, this episode emphasizes a core truth: ADHD is not a character flaw—it is a brain-based condition that requires biological support. Whether you are navigating ADHD personally, supporting a child, or working in the recovery field, this episode offers science-backed tools and hope. Key Topics Discussed ADHD as a brain-based, metabolic condition The connection between ADHD and addiction vulnerability Why omega-3 fatty acids may be critical for ADHD brains High-dose fish oil research and brain inflammation Protein intake and stabilizing blood sugar for focus The 30-30-30 framework (30g protein, 30g fiber, 30 plants per week) The 1-2-3 rhythm (1 probiotic daily, 2 seafood meals weekly, 3 meals daily) Amino acids for ADHD support (L-theanine, tyrosine, glutamine) Gut health, microbiome differences, and nutrient metabolism in ADHD Why nervous system safety must come before dietary perfection Personalization in recovery nutrition Reducing black-and-white thinking around food Practical strategies for ADHD meal prep and habit building Meet Our Guest Annika Angelo, MS is one of the leading experts on the research between ADHD and nutrition. Her mission is to empower individuals with ADHD to reconnect with their bodies and understand how food directly impacts brain function, focus, and emotional regulation. Through her research, educational programs, ADHD nutrition manual, and Eat to Focus Cookbook, Annika translates complex science into accessible, actionable strategies. She also offers a monthly membership providing research updates and practical food guidance for ADHD support. To Connect with Annika: Website: https://neutramindlab.com Instagram/Threads: @thenutrimindlab Facebook page: The Nutrimind Lab Youtube, Tiktok: @nutrimindlab References and People Mentioned Dr. John C. Umhau – Researcher on omega-3 fatty acids and mental health outcomes. Dr. Michael Lewis – Author of When Brains Collide and researcher on high-dose omega-3 fatty acids for traumatic brain injury. Hardy Nutritionals – Maker of Daily Essential Nutrients, a broad-spectrum high-dose micronutrient formula discussed in relation to ADHD brain support. Nordic Naturals – Referenced in discussion of concentrated DHA/EPA research formulations used in clinical research. Discover More Unlock a world of resources at https://aminoacidtherapy.com/ where you'll find expert insights, transformative training, and actionable tools to support your recovery journey. Whether you're looking for professional courses like our Level 1 Core Training Learn more at https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com Support Our Mission Check out our nonprofit initiative, Eating Protein Saves Lives, at https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/ Learn how we're improving lives and communities through better nutrition, the science of amino acid therapy, and our simple yet powerful message: Eat protein every 4 hours. Also, if you're just starting out or want a solid foundation, check out Eat: A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings by Christina Veselak. It's a clear, powerful intro to the core concepts. Grab your copy here: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information shared is meant to inform and empower listeners but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care and treatment. Music by: Bensound License code: GFZAESIUP3ZUNGXM Like this episode? Subscribe, rate, and share it with a friend or colleague who needs this information. Let's make nutrition part of the conversation for lasting recovery.
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    49 m
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