Lorraine Perretta

Nutritionist Lorraine Perretta Fast talking New Yorker, Lorraine is a nutrition enthusiast. After several years working for GQ and Vogue fashion magazines, she studied nutrition at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and has never looked back. She is senior clinical nutritionist at the Brain Bio Centre and consultant to the International Institute for Anti-Ageing. Lorraine is a frequent lecturer at Westminster University, Thames Valley College, and the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, where she is also a Fellow. She is an entertaining speaker and is frequently invited to speak at various seminars and conferences both in the UK and abroad. Lorraine is author of Brain Food and a member of the British Association of Nutritional Therapists. Lorraine feels good nutrition should be practiced by everyone and her skill is integrating healthy eating habits into peoples busy lifestyles.

2013 - How ageing increases mood disorders in particular depression, the various factors that play a role including nutritional strategies

Depression in older people is often attributed to psychological factors like bereavements, isolation, loneliness and loss of a sense of purpose. These issues combined with increasing health problems and fears about financial matters often mean that biochemical imbalances may be overlooked.

Inadequate levels of key neurotransmitters, in particular noradrenalin and serotonin, and food intolerances play a key part in mood disorders for people of any age. However research shows that with increasing age, poor diet and hormonal imbalances can have a negative impact on neurotransmitter metabolism and increase reactions to food, resulting in a greater incidence of endogenous depression.

Assessments of nutritional status, hormone levels, food intolerances and catecholamines provide a clearer picture of underlying factors which can drive an individually tailored nutrition programme comprising an appropriate eating plan and supplement programme to support neurotransmitter metabolism.

With nutritional support elderly people can experience improved mood and motivation, enabling them to cope better with the challenges of growing old.