Sep09
Is Your Bad Mood Actually a Nutrient Deficiency? with Julia Ross
When we feel anxious, down, or just not like ourselves, we usually assume something in our life is to blame.
But what if sometimes the problem isn’t your life… it’s that your brain is missing a crucial nutrient?
In this episode of the ReThink Health Podcast, I sit down with Julia Ross, a pioneer in the nutritional use of amino acids for mood, cravings, eating disorders, and addiction. After more than 40 years of clinical work, she’s helping answer some fascinating questions about the connection between protein, brain chemistry, and how we feel.
You’ll hear how amino acids like DLPA, GABA, tryptophan, tyrosine, and glutamine interact with neurotransmitter systems tied to mood and appetite. Julia also explains why cravings for foods like chocolate, sugar, bread, and cheese may offer clues about what’s happening in the brain… and why getting enough high-quality protein is such an important nutritional foundation.
It’s a fascinating look at mood and cravings from a completely different angle: not just what’s happening in your life, but whether your brain has the raw materials it needs to function at its best.
You’ll learn:
- The difference between a “true mood” and a “false mood”
- How specific amino acids support neurotransmitters involved in mood, calm, focus, and pleasure
- Why DLPA may support endorphin activity and emotional well-being
- How GABA, tryptophan, tyrosine, and glutamine each play different roles
- Why certain food cravings may offer clues about your brain chemistry
- How ultra-processed diets and low protein intake may affect amino acid availability
- How to tell exactly which amino acids you need for your most vibrant health
If you’ve ever wondered why you can have a good life and still not feel good, this episode offers a fascinating new way to think about the connection between food, brain chemistry, and mood.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
Prefer audio? Listen below or on Spotify & Apple iTunes Podcasts.
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About Julia Ross
Julia Ross is a pioneer in the nutritional use of amino acids for mood problems, eating disorders, and addiction, with more than 40 years of clinical experience. Her work began in addiction treatment in the late 1970s and evolved as emerging neuroscience revealed how specific nutrients could influence the brain systems involved in mood, cravings, focus, and addictive behavior.
She is the author of The Diet Cure, The Mood Cure, and The Craving Cure and has directed clinics since the early 1980s. Today, her clinic also works virtually, allowing clients to trial amino acids with professional guidance from home
Thanks so much for spending time with us this week! Have a question or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we would genuinely love to hear from you.
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