It is clear from current research and scientific studies that there is a direct relationship between metabolic disorders and nutrition...but there is more. In this post I will be talking about trauma, especially consistent repetitive childhood trauma which clearly affects the mental health of the adult as well as the physical health.
What metabolic disorders do we see affected by trauma? I'll provide you with a list.
Obesity
Chemical dependency and addiction
Depression and anxiety
Personality disorders such as Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Dependent, and Depersonalization
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Irritable bowel disease
Chronic fatigue and other autoimmune diseases
and more.
The energy in every cell in our body depends on the mitochondria in each cell. This is the powerhouse of each cell. When the mitochondria is damaged, the cell is weakened and becomes dysfunctional, resulting in all of the above listed diseases and disorders. Chris Palmer MD, a psychiatrist is another one of my heroes. He was surprised to find that when one of his schizophrenic patients who was morbidly obese asked for a way to lose the excess weight, the ketogenic diet he recommended not only precipitated weight loss, but also took aways his hallucinations and delusions. This was a patient who always rejected the diagnosis of schizophrenia before ketone adaptation. After his weight loss and resolution of his schizophrenic symptoms, he remarked to the Dr. "you know I think I was schizophrenic"! Dr Palmer has written a book called Brain Energy which addresses brilliantly the importance of mitochondria in a most compassionate and passionate way.
Poor nutrition, junk and over processed food and in many cases excess carbohydrates weakens mitochondria. Environmental toxins like smoking, pollution, chemicals, alcohol, many drugs and pharmaceuticals also damage mitochondria. And so does stress and trauma both emotional and physical. It is no secret that trauma of any kind causes an immediate spike in blood sugar produced by the liver by a process called neoglucogenesis. Prolonged stressors and trauma can contribute to hyperinsulinemia which causes insulin resistance, the precursor of all the above listed illnesses...and many more.
Now about trauma. I work with many clients who have endured unspeakable traumas. What I usually see initially are metabolic disorders like obesity and addiction. Once we do a rigorous history of family it becomes clear that without exception, trauma is the underlying comorbidity. So this trauma must be dealt with. The most common reaction to trauma is the effort to deny its existence or to push it away through aversion by saying, "that is in the past and I shouldn't be affected by it anymore".....only compounding the deleterious effects of the original trauma especially in the case of complex post traumatic symptoms, meaning chronic repetitive traumas of childhood.
Having suffered my own traumas of sexual molestation and corporal punishment as well as a sudden loss of my brother when I was 17, I have done extensive work of my own, in this area. I find that the most effective way to deal with trauma is to develop a relationship with it because it never really goes away. It rears its head after triggers are activated and learning self soothing and compassion as well as acceptance of the prolonged effects of the trauma are crucial. This relationship minimizes the stress caused by the PTSD and CPTSD, mollifying the negative influence on our mitochondria.
We must remember always that the brain is a part of the body and both work together in both health and ill health. They cannot be separated. Watch Dr. Palmer explain:
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