The Mind–Body Connection: How your physical health impacts your mental health

You may already know Dr. Briana Peddle - perhaps as a Naturopathic Doctor, a long time member and sponsor of the TriCities Moms Group, a friend, and/or as a well-respected and dearly loved member of our community. To me she is all of the above, as well being as someone I admire greatly. She is a fierce and formidable advocate for women's health and mental health, and someone who truly listens with openness and shares with gentle honesty.

I have had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Peddle about how physical health and mental health are related on many occasions, and would like to share some parts of our conversations in the hope that reading it will spark some "aha moments" for you, and help you create pathways to better overall health and wellness.

So without further ado, allow me to introduce to you…(drum roll please!): Dr. Briana Peddle, ND!

Dr. Peddle is a local naturopathic doctor with a special focus on women’s health, digestion, fatigue, and mental well-being. Her approach blends evidence-based medicine with a deep understanding of how the body, mind, and emotions are connected. “Small imbalances in our bodies can create big emotional ripples,” she explains, “and optimizing lab testing helps us see what’s really happening beneath the surface so that we can create a roadmap to achieving improved overall health.”

The bottom line is, without appropriate physical health support, no amount of counselling will result in significantly improved mental health. And without this key element, we could end up feeling like we’re going around in circles, or worse yet, feel like we’re failing, and loose sight of hope…

So let’s dive into some of the areas Dr. Peddle investigates with her patients:

Iron and B12

Many people, women especially, experience anxiety, fatigue or low mood and assume it’s stress related, stopping at stress management techniques rather than digging deeper. Sometimes though, these symptoms could be a direct result of an iron or B12 deficiency.

“Ferritin, which measures your iron stores, should ideally be well above 50 for optimal energy,” says Dr. Peddle, adding that naturopathic values and norms may differ from allopathic medical doctors, as the former are trained in more subtle inferences, and are thus able to see individuals’ needs through a different lens.  

Both Iron and B12 are vital for brain health, energy, and emotional balance, and should ideally be tested by a healthcare provider to ensure correct and appropriate dosages and administration. If oral iron doesn’t work well, Dr. Peddle says iron infusions can be a safe and effective alternative—and are often covered by extended health benefits. Similarly, B12 levels can be supported through injections or sublingual supplements.  When it comes to supplements, it’s also helpful to note that not all supplements are created equal. Dr. Peddle recommends choosing clean brands with minimal fillers wherever possible.

Thyroid Health

Dr. Peddle emphasizes the importance of thyroid health in women’s mood and energy. “TSH testing is a good start, but sometimes a full thyroid panel tells the fuller story,” she notes. Thyroid health significantly impacts mental health, with both overactive (hyperthyroidism) and underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroids causing mood disturbances, anxiety, or  depression. Symptoms can range from anxiety, irritability, and sleep problems (hyperthyroidism) to fatigue, poor memory, and depression (hypothyroidism) .

Vitamin D

Most of us living in Canada are deficient in Vitamin D, no matter how much sunshine we think we get. Vitamin D has a direct impact on so much, including energy, the immune system, and hormones. Low levels may result in increased risks for depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Dr. Peddle suggests having levels tested and interpreted by a naturopath for most appropriate dosage. This is especially important to test if you are dealing with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), most experienced during the darker, colder months of the year.

Perimenopause and Menopause

It’s surprising for many to hear this, but perimenopause can start a lot earlier than most expect—sometimes even in the mid 30s—and can bring symptoms like anxiety, anger, poor sleep, and hot flashes (amongst others). “Because of this, I always suggest the inclusion of counselling in my patients’ treatment plans – a whole person approach is the ideal way forward.” Dr. Peddle also points out that there is an overlap in perimenopause and burnout symptoms, and as such it is always a good idea to request that your chosen practitioner dig a little deeper.

“Progesterone can be incredibly helpful during this time,” Dr. Peddle shares. “Bioidentical hormones, when used appropriately, are safe for most women.” Estrogen therapy can help protect bone health, and is thought to reduce risk of diabetes, dementia and heart disease, as well as and improving symptoms. Dr. Peddle stresses the importance of using progesterone alongside estrogen to maintain balance.

“Women deserve to feel well at every stage of life,” she says. “Advocacy is key—ask for the care you need.” She also recommends Menopause Chicks and other trusted online resources for educational materials and self-advocacy tools.

Insulin

Dr. Peddle encourages women to request fasting insulin testing as part of their wellness checkups. “Insulin  resistance can begin years before glucose or A1C change,” she explains. Catching these shifts early helps manage inflammation in the body, supports individuals in maintaining a healthy weight, in decreasing the likelihood of depression and anxiety, and in prevent metabolic and hormonal imbalances down the road.

A Holistic and Collaborative Approach

A naturopathic approach to caring for health takes into account the whole person, also supporting the body through diet, mental health support, and lifestyle changes. While Dr. Peddle is acutely aware that her services are not available to everyone, she firmly advocates for individuals seeking out a provider that takes a holistic approach wherever possible.

Dr. Peddle believes collaboration is the way forward. “Patients benefit most when practitioners communicate,” she says. “It’s about combining the best of both worlds.”

A Final Word of Encouragement

“Listen to your body,” Dr. Peddle reminds. “If something feels off, don’t brush it aside. You know yourself best—trust that inner knowing.”

Her message is clear: true wellness comes from understanding the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and from choosing care that honours every layer of your health.

To learn more about Dr. Briana Peddle or book an appointment, visit www.drpeddle.com