Presenter: Jess Zadra, MS, CNS
Original Date: February 10, 2024

This presentation will explore how the foods we eat on a daily basis provide us with the nutrients we need to ensure proper neurotransmitter synthesis. Unfortunately, many clients fall short of consuming the adequate nutrients necessary for optimal neurotransmitter production through dietary intake alone which may make them more susceptible to mental health depressive disorders. This presentation will cover the specific nutrients that support specific neurotransmitter productions such as catecholamines, (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) serotonin, etc. - how they support this production, and ultimately, what foods are the highest and most bioavailable for each of the nutrients. The presentation will provide dietary takeaways that those struggling with depression can focus on to ensure adequate intake of the nutrients discussed.

Jess Zadra, MS, CNS is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and holds a MS degree in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine. She is an experienced nutritionist who has been practicing clinically for several years as a part of multiple integrative functional medicine teams. In addition to her one-on-one work with clients, Jess is particularly passionate about mental health and creating educational content to help others discover the power of food in transforming their mood.