As awareness and advocacy for better treatments of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and stress increase, researchers have been in pursuit of non-pharmacological solutions to these conditions.  Dr. Bonnie J. Kaplan, Ph.D. was recently featured on “Operation Tango Romeo”, a Trauma Recovery Podcast, to speak on her book, The Better Brain. 

Dr. Kaplan, alongside her co-author, Dr. Julia D. Rucklidge Ph.D., has spent decades researching the effects of nutrition on mental health. The independent research featured in their ground-breaking book focuses on using broad-spectrum micronutrients, such as Hardy Nutritionals’ Daily Essential Nutrients, as a treatment for psychiatric conditions including ADHD, depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma. 

Aside from Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Rucklidge's research, there have been eight other randomized, placebo-control trials focusing on the positive effects of B-complex vitamins on stress and resiliency. In contrast to those previous studies, the research featured in The Better Brain focuses on broad-spectrum micronutrients.

Broad-spectrum micronutrients are multinutrient complexes made up of highly bioavailable vitamins and minerals at therapeutic levels. Each ingredient is provided in a balanced ratio shown to support the production of neurotransmitters which are essential for optimal brain function. ‘Broad-spectrum’ refers to using a wide variety of vitamins and minerals compared to individual or specific ones, such as only vitamin D or iron. ‘Micronutrients’ refers to essential vitamins and minerals in trace amounts, unlike macronutrients, which are often displayed on food pyramids as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.  

While in the midst of one of Dr. Rucklidge’s randomized control trials, Christchurch, New Zealand experienced a series of intense earthquakes over a period of 5 months. This opened an opportunity to see the effects of broad-spectrum micronutrients on stress and trauma in the wake of natural disasters. At the time of the traumatic earthquakes, a group of the participants was taking broad-spectrum micronutrients while a control group was not. 

Dr. Rucklidge’s findings were astounding: in the group that took the micronutrients, 65% of the subjects initially met the criteria for PTSD. After one month, only 19% of the subjects met the criteria for PTSD, whereas the control group’s numbers did not change from 48%. 

A similar experience happened with Dr. Kaplan during the disastrous Alberta, Canada flood two years later. The study that resulted from that natural disaster indicated that within four to six weeks, people who took broad-spectrum micronutrients returned to normal stress levels. 

In the podcast, Dr. Kaplan goes on to discuss the importance of dietary nutrition alongside broad-spectrum micronutrients for brain health. According to Dr. Kaplan, “The brain is the greediest organ in your body,” and instead of eating to fuel just our muscles, we should focus on consuming nutrients that are essential for optimal brain function. Alongside micronutrients, Dr. Kaplan speaks to the importance of eliminating overly processed foods from your diet. In most processed foods, micronutrients are next to nonexistent. 

Moving forward, Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Rucklidge hope for widespread acceptance of using micronutrients for the treatment of stress and PTSD symptoms. For many, this research shows promise for a hopeful future. As more researchers and practitioners embrace the research and the treatment becomes more available, there is hope that many can use micronutrient therapy as a treatment for stress and PTSD symptoms. 

To read more about how micronutrients such as Daily Essential Nutrients can be used to treat PTSD, stress, and other psychiatric conditions, read Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Rucklidge’s new book The Better Brain.

To listen to the full podcast, visit here: https://anchor.fm/tango-romeo/episodes/Ep-116--Dr--Bonnie-J--Kaplan--Author-of-The-Better-Brain-e121vj2  or search Operation Tango Romeo wherever you find your podcasts. 

There are currently over 40 independent medical journal publications backing the safety and efficacy of Daily Essential Nutrients for mood and mental health. Drs. Kaplan and Rucklidge have personally studied the safety and effectiveness of Daily Essential Nutrients in studies at their University labs.  It is a widely recommended clinical-strength multinutrient supplement formulated by Hardy Nutritionals, the leader in mental health nutrition. Daily Essential Nutrients is currently the world’s most research-backed multinutrient supplement for mood and mental health. 

To see a list of independent studies on Daily Essential Nutrients, visit HardyNutritionals.com/studies.

About Hardy Nutritionals®

Hardy Nutritionals® multivitamin-mineral products are powered by our proprietary NutraTek™ mineral delivery technology, which combines each mineral with specialized organic molecules—just like nature—to optimize absorption and distribution to body cells. Our flagship supplement, Daily Essential Nutrients, is widely considered to be the most research-backed micronutrient treatment.