Ep. 15 Hidden Link Between Vitamin Deficiencies and the Nervous System
From Code Forty4 by Amy Cortez
March 12, 2026 · 50 min · Season 1 · Episode 15
About this episode
This episode explores the connection between nutrition and mental health in first responders, highlighting the impact of chronic stress on the nervous system and nutrient deficiencies.
What if the mental health struggles many law enforcement officers experience aren’t only psychological — but physiological ? In this episode of Code Forty4 , Amy Cortez sits down with holistic physician Dr. Heather Heck to explore an often overlooked factor in first responder wellness: nutrition and the body’s ability to recover from chronic stress . First responders are trained to live in constant high alert . But when the nervous system never fully comes out of fight-or-flight mode, the body begins to suffer, burning through critical nutrients, disrupting sleep, and increasing inflammation. Dr. Heck explains how chronic stress can lead to: • Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies • Gut health disruption • Cortisol imbalance • Sleep problems and fatigue • Increased inflammation in the body • Difficulty processing trauma For spouses and families trying to support the first responder they love, this episode offers a new lens: supporting the body may be one of the first steps toward supporting mental health. You’ll also learn practical steps that can make a difference including common deficiencies seen in first responders and simple nutritional strategies that can help the nervous…
People in this episode
Host: Amy Cortez
Guest: Dr. Heather Heck
Topics covered
- nutrition
- mental health
- first responders
- chronic stress
- vitamin deficiencies
- nervous system
Keywords
- vitamin deficiencies
- nervous system
- chronic stress
- first responders
- nutrition
- mental health
- gut health
- cortisol
- inflammation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Code Forty4
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