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Nutritional Therapy & Biochemical Restoration in Los Angeles

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After people change their diets and supplement their food intake with the right amount of amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, they can begin to deal with their alcoholism and drug abuse. With the proper nutrition and supplements, the brain manufactures chemicals—like norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that seems to increase energy and boost mood; serotonin, another important neurotransmitter; and endorphins, the brain’s natural opiates—that are needed to regulate mood and behavior. At Iris Retreat food serves more frequent with evenly disbursed meal times: never hungry, never full. Learning to eat smaller meals every two to four hours, starting with breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up, and always keeping a healthy snack on hand, like a bag of nuts, to avoid sugar crashes and help keep blood sugar levels stable to enhance long-term recovery.

Scientific research has shown that sugar, caffeine, and white flour trigger drug and alcohol cravings.

Why? Because they affect the same parts of the brain as drugs and alcohol. The low-glycemic diet is especially helpful in restoring proper dopamine levels in individuals fighting addiction. The low-glycemic diet is an excellent way to naturally boost dopamine production and improve your state of well-being. The diet alone will not cure addiction, but in collaboration with a well-structured 12-step program, inpatient, and outpatient treatment from a licensed facility such Iris Healing®, it can help you achieve a life free of drug abuse.
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Here are some answers to frequently asked questions provided by Joan Borsten, the author of the Low-Glycemic diet book.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes — there are vegetarian recipes. Once you learn the principles of the diet, you can also apply them to any recipes you prefer, including gluten-free, vegan, or kosher diets.

Do the recipes require fancy cooking skills?

No! These are recipes adapted for home cooks, and there are plenty of options for all skill levels.

What kind of sweeteners do you recommend, if you don’t use sugar?

We recommend using agave nectar, palm sugar, or coconut sugar. These sweeteners are low-glycemic, which means they don’t give you the same sugar rush as regular sugar or corn syrup. Cooking with low-glycemic sweeteners keeps blood sugar levels stable, and keeps the brain from getting triggered.

Are you saying that 12-step meetings tend to serve the very foods I shouldn’t be eating?

Unfortunately, yes. 12-step meetings traditionally serve sweets and caffeine because those foods temporarily make people in early recovery feel better. You get a sugar high instead of a drug high. However, research shows that in the long run, those foods just make your cravings stronger.

If I have been eating a diet full of the trigger foods (caffeine, sugar and white flour), will I experience any discomfort in switching to this diet?

Honestly, yes. It is common for people in early recovery to miss caffeine and sugar, especially. However there are delicious dessert recipes in the book that help ease that transition. They were very popular at MBRC!

Does this diet cure addiction?

No. However, it is a powerful tool to support your program of recovery. We strongly recommend combining it with a 12-step or other recovery program, inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Is this something I can do to help a family member who’s struggling with addiction?

Absolutely yes! These are delicious recipes that will help your loved one feel satisfied and cared for. We do recommend that your loved one also seeks treatment to aid recovery. This book is not a cure.
nutritional-therapy

Our Services

At Iris Healing® Retreat we recognize that the amount of time a client spends with us is short so we provide clients with as many tools as possible while with us including:
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Iris Healing® strives to be diligent and prompt in updating the information available on our website. Please note, however, that our treatment modalities and protocols are subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date details regarding our treatment offerings or other protocols, please contact us: (844) 663-4747.

Frequently Asked Questions — Nutritional Therapy & Biochemical Restoration in Los Angeles

What is nutritional therapy in addiction recovery and how does it help?

Nutritional therapy is an integrative clinical approach that uses targeted nutrition, wholesome meals, and supplements to repair biochemical damage caused by substance abuse. At Iris Healing in Los Angeles, nutrition restores depleted neurotransmitters, reduces cravings, and stabilizes daily mood.

Chronic drug and alcohol abuse damages the digestive tract, depletes essential vitamins (like B-complex and magnesium), and causes severe neurotransmitter deficits. Iris Healing’s nutritional program in Los Angeles rebuilds vital nutrient reserves to accelerate physical healing and mental clarity.

The gut produces over 90 percent of the body’s serotonin and communicates directly with the brain via the vagus nerve. By healing the gut microbiome with organic, anti-inflammatory foods, Iris Healing in Los Angeles alleviates chronic anxiety and depression naturally during addiction treatment.

Our nutritionists and executive chefs assess each client’s biochemical deficiencies and dietary preferences to create customized, organic meal plans. Iris Healing in Woodland Hills provides balanced meals rich in lean proteins, healthy fats, and antioxidants to optimize nervous system recovery.

Yes. By regulating blood sugar levels and restoring dopamine and serotonin precursors through nutrient-dense foods, clients experience far fewer mood crashes and drug cravings. Iris Healing in Los Angeles combines dietary science with psychotherapy to create a resilient foundation for sobriety.

Yes, nutritional counseling and biochemical restoration are fully integrated into our accredited residential addiction and dual diagnosis programs, which are covered by most major health insurers. Iris Healing in Los Angeles offers free insurance verification to confirm your program benefits.

Nutritional therapy is included in your individualized care plan upon admission to our residential program. Contact our admissions team in Los Angeles today to discuss how our integrative nutrition, neurofeedback, and clinical therapies can revitalize your physical and emotional well-being completely.

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