Meet Dr. Tanja Johnston

We recently connected with Dr. Tanja Johnston and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Tanja, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us about a deeply personal and sensitive topic. Postpartum depression affects so many in the community and hearing from someone who has overcome PPD might help someone who is going through it right now. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience

I was already in my mid-30ies when I got pregnant. I was in excellent health and did not worry about a thing. My OBGYN however classified me as “high risk” because of my age…After an episode of spotting she put me on bedrest. For 6 months! I followed doctor’s orders. When I was in labor they discovered that the umbilical cord had tightly wrapped itself around my baby boy’s neck like a noose. Every contraction and push put him at risk of strangulation. Time for emergency c-section. My husband and I had signed the decision making over to the medical authority in case of such an emergency. And we were glad for being in a hospital setting where they retrieved our son sound and safe. The experience of this traumatic childbirth did however a number on me. As a result I developed a severe case of PPD. My main symptom was the absolute inability to sleep. No matter what medication they prescribed, it did not work. In 10 years of clinical PPD studies at the UCLA women’s health clinic they had never seen a case as severe as mine. Not a superlative anyone wants to call their own. I was in training to become a holistic health practitioner which then seemed ill-fitted if I couldn’t help myself to get my mental health back. On a family trip to Germany I came across a recently published book about gut health and the importance of microbial balance for many pathological diseases including mental disorders. All my doctors to that point had focused on my hormonal and brain chemical imbalance after the birth. I finally reviewed my hospital release papers and saw that in preparation for the c-section they had given me a large and strong amount of intra-venous broad-spectrum antibiotics. Having a newborn also meant frequent use of antibacterial soaps and wipes. I tested my microbiome which was so depleted that the lab had me sent samples twice as the culture count was too low for detection. I designed a new meal and lifestyle plan for myself embracing pro- and prebiotic foods as well as allowing for micro exposure to more “dirt”. Slowly but surely I became myself again. And thankfully I also applied that to my son. Having lost his rite of passage through a microbial bath of vaginal fluid and most likely microbes-devoid breasts and breastmilk he thrived on the new controlled pro-dirt mantra of our household. His immune system is an armor to reckon with now! And I sleep soundly and live happily in the role as a mother. That experience paved my career. I not only became a certified health practitioner but went on to study nutrition and microbial health with a Phd in Health Sciences.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a board certified doctor of Natural Medicine, member of the Naturopathic Medical Association. My main focus in working with clients is their diet. What, what not and when to eat can provide the basis for overall well-being. My educational background and hands-on training are both science-centered. I do not shy away from the hard cases that require advanced trouble shooting skills analyzing lab results, pantries and food journals. I support clients in their prevention, management and recovery from severe illnesses like Cardio-vascular and auto-immune disorders as well as advanced digestive imbalances and even cancers.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

My three areas of expertise are:
(1) Nutrition: Scientific knowledge of macro- and micronutrient absorption and utilization of the body
(2) Microbial Health: deep understanding of the gut – health connection.
(3) Body Mind Work: Advanced practice and certification in Yoga, Pilates and Meditation

I was always interested in the power of food as our medicine. But as my own health was challenged as a young mother I came to realize that food alone is like sitting on a one-legged chair. It was only after discovery and deepening my knowledge and skills in the field of microbial health as well as body-mind work in the form of yoga, pilates and meditation that I found proper footing for my own physical and mental health.

As a woman in peri-menopause now, I find myself again in the crosshair of hormonal changes not entirely dissimilar to what a female body goes through post-partum. Fact and fiction I cyphered through entering motherhood I can now apply to the challenges of peri-menopause. Physiological changes at this point can not only impact one’s mental health but also increase one’s overall risk factors for many pathological disorders. Statistical probability for CVD, diabetes and certain cancers rise at this stage. Early measures for prevention are key. Guiding clients to the right set of lifestyle choices early on yield high promise towards one’s healthspan. Not only looking at adding calendar years to one’s life but more importantly improving the quality of those years is my main mantra. For example, bone density loss is a serious health risk when aging as the recovery from a bone fracture or other physical injury can take months or even years. As a certified yoga and pilates instructor I can offer clients not only suggestion for proper strengthening exercises but also walk the walk with them. Many of my clients of all gender and ages hire me for private workout sessions. With that my support package for clients covers all aspects of a healthy lifestyle: diet, exercise and body/mind work.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

As described above the book “Gut” by Gulia Enders offered many answers in my own health journey. It also irked my interest in pursuing further research in the field of microbial balance and imbalance. My doctor thesis dealt with changes in one’s gut microbiome as a result of different lifestyle interventions.

While the book came out over 10 years ago it is enjoying a well deserved revival in the current Netflix documentary “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut”.

Contact Info:

• Website: tanja@tanjajohnston.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Weeatgreen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanjajohnston/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/intuitive-nutritionist-los-angeles-2

Image Credits

JTC Photography