Sanjeev : And low magnesium . Until proven otherwise they are low .
Adrian : So then you treat either through dietary changes , or there ' s supplementation that ' s more targeted at increasing detoxification , improving liver detoxification , and helping with neurotransmitter production . And then if you ' re still not getting full remission , or great improvement , in symptoms , then you might look at doing other assessments . You mentioned the gut and certain genetic testing .
Sanjeev : Yes .
Adrian : You do a lot of organic acid testing too , don ’ t you ?
Sanjeev : That ' s correct . So , organic acid testing gives us a snapshot of biochemical availability of that nutrient which we are prescribing . So , consumption doesn ' t mean absorption . Absorption depends on several cofactors and their mechanism . So that ' s where the organic acid testing can be a benchmark for a lot of these individuals . Particularly when we are dealing with complex cases like ASD , autism-like disorders , and also mental health where ADHD can be an associated part . And often I find , when I go through those results , the patient has to be educated . It ' s not just a matter of testing and taking a supplement . Until and unless they change their lifestyle , it ' s not going to work .
Adrian : Yeah . The other thing I suppose from my clinical experience is sometimes there ' s certain herbs that can be beneficial , and two of those that have had some positive effects with some people are bacopa and ginkgo . And even phosphatidylserine , there ' s some nice research showing that that may be beneficial too . So , we ' ve got a whole range of different options that we can choose from . It ' s not just a matter of giving patients stimulant medication then . Is that right ?
“ Absorption depends on several cofactors and their mechanism . So that ' s where the organic acid testing can be a benchmark for a lot of these individuals . Particularly when we are dealing with complex cases like ASD , autism-like disorders , and also mental health where ADHD can be an associated part .”
Sanjeev : Yes . And I think your work has been on turmeric and saffron , so you know their benefits very well . So , I remember Professor Kerry Bone saying about saffron , it is a mother nature ' s ketamine . It ' s a calming formula . You know . It ' s GABA enhancing , it ' s a neuromodulator . Again , a neuromodulator . So , certainly , we should be looking into some of these nutrients , like turmeric , provided by Mother Nature . It has more than a hundred actions , you know ?
Another thing which I advocate is collaboration . Let ' s say you can form up a team of nutritionist , dietician , chef , where a person can go and learn how to cook a healthy meal . Many people don ’ t have these skills . I see in my practice , I ' ve actually created certain recipes myself .
Adrian : That ' s great . Great advice . All right . Well , thanks , Sanjeev . Thank you very much for joining us today to help us by providing some great information about ADHD and your integrative approach in general , that can be applied not just to ADHD , but to any mental health condition . I know that you ' re doing some great work and great education . You ' re educating a lot of practitioners about this integrative approach , and I thank you very much .
Sanjeev : Thank you very much .
Dr Sanjeev Sharma , MBBS , MD ( Psychiatry ), Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist ( FRANZCP ), Fellow of the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine ( FACNEM ), Master of Clinical Nutrition ( SAHAMM , Malaysia ), works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Perth , with a particular interest in treating substance use disorder . He has ia focus on incorporating nutritional strategies into the management of psychiatric disorders and became a fellow of the Australian College of Nutrition and Environmental Medicine ( ACNEM ) 2022 . He is also in the final stages of completing a Fellowship in Addiction Medicine through the Royal Australian College of Physicians . With a treatment philosophy that combines both eastern and western medicine , Dr Sharma offers a holistic approach to healing and believes everyone is unique and should be treated as such . He places great emphasis on lifestyle and dietary choices . As part of the treatment interventions , he carries out advanced pathology to create treatment plans tailored for each patient in conjunction with pharmaceuticals and a psychological approach . He has an interest in meditation and is an active member trainer of Heartfulness Meditation , an organisation with a worldwide presence .
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