The term “neuroplasticity” refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and remodel itself to create new neural pathways in response to changes in its environment.
The plasticity of the brain allows neurons to respond to injury, which in the modern world may be caused by poor nutrition, chronic levels of stress and anxiety, lack of sleep, immune cell activation, hormone dysregulation and other environmental causes.
What we are seeing today is an epidemic of less than optimal brain function across the North American population.
1 in 5 Canadians suffer from mental illness, the majority of which arise in childhood and adolescence.(1)
Between now and 2034, the number of Canadians living with Alzheimer’s is expected to rise 66%.(2)
1 in 68 Canadian children are diagnosed with autism. Autism is the fastest growing diagnosed neurological disorder in Canada.(3)
The incidence of reported brain injuries in Canada is rising; 160 000 Canadians suffer traumatic brain injuries every year.(4)
Anywhere from 600 000 to 990 000 people in Canada may meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder at any given time.(5)
The prevalence of these illnesses is staggering and is expected to rise in the coming years. It is imperative that we as a society begin to shift our lifestyle to one that supports and nourishes our brain, mood and neural function.
A healthy brain and mental state feels focused, clear, calm and is nourished by small amounts of motivating stress.
References:
Government of Canada (2006). The human face of mental health and mental illness in Canada. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Alzheimer’s Society Canada (2017). Latest information and statistics. Toronto.
Autism Speaks Canada (2017). Facts & FAQS. Toronto.
Brain Injury Canada (2017). Ottawa: Brain Injury Association of Canada.
LeBlanc, Helene; FEWO Report. Eating Disorders Among Girls and Women in Canada. Ottawa: House of Commons.
If you:
… are struggling with a diagnosed illness, and feel you have no clear treatment plan for healing
… feel your mental function, cognitive function or mood has begun to change and need help getting back to a place of wellness
… are consumed by stress and anxiety and feel your mental and emotional integrity is fractured
… are concerned about preventing neurodegenerative disease and dementia
… have suffered a traumatic head injury and want to learn more about a recovery plan tailored to your individual needs
Then working with Dr. Roberts, ND on a natural approach to better health may be the right fit for you.
Healing the brain naturally involves wholistic care that treats your physical body, as well as your mental & emotional state by:
creating a lifestyle that support a positive “re-wiring” of the neural circuitry
providing targeted nutrition and supplementation to nourish the brain and nervous system
removing obstacles to a healthy metabolism and immune system to modulate inflammation
healing and maintaining integrity of the gastro-neuro-endocrine systems
