Depression, stress, and anxiety are such major problems in our world today.
I have people contact me regularly about themself (or someone in their family) who is struggling with depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, or even suicidal thoughts.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association, depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3, and affects more than 16.1 million American adults. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. (1) According to CNBC, the suicide rates for young people rose 62%. (2)
The drugs prescribed to many people (even children) actually have side effects of suicide and self-harm.(3)
No one is immune from the day-to-day stresses that occur in our lives, especially now, during these uncertain and challenging times.
Stresses can be anything from someone cutting us off in traffic, work-related stresses, or the loss of a close friend or relative.
Anxiety can develop from a variety of reasons, which could include the state of the world today, poor diet or lack of certain nutrients, lack of exercise, lack of companionship, or fear mongering from the main stream media, and the list goes on.
We all live in the present world and we are aware of disturbing situations. We might see them or hear about them and start to feel helpless or unable to sleep, and it can be tough getting those images out of our mind.
I feel we need to learn to limit what we intake, especially if we have no control over the situation and cannot help in any way, and focus on what we can do in our present situation. If we can, we need to be more of an observer in these times and avoid absorbing others’ pain. It won’t actually help them if we absorb their pain, and it can make us ill.
I know many people in the last few years who have lost loved ones. How do you console someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, like a child?
Just thinking about that can make you so incredibly sad, it hurts your heart. The loss of a child very painful. Just being aware of someone’s pain can cause us to become so sad that we can’t sleep or function either.
When these things happen, a simple act of reaching out can carry an immense weight. It’s the love and emotional support that comes with your words that can leave a supportive and ongoing influence. The main thing is, we can be compassionate and caring, but avoid absorbing their pain.
We can sometimes be concerned that we might say the wrong thing, but if you speak from the heart and speak with kindness, this shows you care and that is what matters.
I like to add people who I know are grieving to “prayer group” prayers. I’ve found that to be extremely helpful. I believe prayer is very powerful. I also believe our thoughts are powerful, and if we can send people loving thoughts of support, I actually think that helps tremendously.
We can also get together with them and simply do things, even as simple as going to hear an uplifting concert or playing a game, to help alleviate the heaviness of what they are struggling with. Get them to go volunteer doing something they usually enjoy or make a meal together. It shifts that heavy energy and can help lift everyone’s spirit.
We may not be able to prevent ourselves or our loved ones from being affected by daily stresses, but we can choose how we react to them, and how our body is able to handle them.
Being a health counselor and nutritionist, I understand that most people these days need some help once in a while with boosting mood, reducing or handling stress more effectively, or overcoming depression.
Studies show that the pharmaceutical drugs prescribed these days are actually a cause of suicide and self-harm. (3)
In the past two years, I have found an excellent way to lift the mood and spirit, while also helping the body to reduce pain and inflammation.
What I am referring to is the Lifewave Aeon patch. I use them myself, and I also recommend them to many of my clients. They are non-transdermal and approved for Olympic athletes. The AEON patch has actually been called the “happy patch” because it reduces anxiety, while also helping to decrease pain and inflammation. It has been studied and found to be anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, as well as raising anti-neoplastons, brain balancing, and calming.
When you put on a Lifewave Aeon patch, it has been found to reduce cortisol, reduce c-reactive proteins, and elevate DHEA. The name of the substance that is elevated in the liver is called phenyl-glutamine. It’s part of the primitive immune system and it’s not an antioxidant, but it induces antioxidant activity in the cells. It up-regulates the production of superoxide dismutase or SOD. SOD causes a broad-spectrum reduction of inflammatory markers such as c-reactive protein, inflammatory cytokines, homocysteine, lipid peptide and fibrinogen. The Aeon patch is good for wearing at night.
I put on an Aeon patch when I am feeling a bit low or overwhelmed with things. (If you want to try the Lifewavepatches, my referral number is 1439757. Let me know when you are ordering them, so I can help you place your order, and/or give you advice on how to use them in the most effective way possible.)
There are also a number of foods and supplements that can help reduce the effects of stress on our health, help us to sleep better, and fight depression. In this article, I am going to discuss a few things to avoid in processed or restaurant foods that can be unknowingly contributing to anxiety or depression.
A basic first step is to eat a well-balanced diet of organic fresh fruits and vegetables. I recommend always buying organic, non-GMO foods when possible, because they will have a much higher nutrient content, and less chemical toxins for your body. Eating a more plant-based diet is recommended.
Some of these plant-based foods are listed below.
Organic/non-GMO, sprouted, organic lentils, chickpeas, beans, and quinoa are a wonderful source of protein, but in addition to this, they are rich in B Vitamins. The B Vitamins have a calming effect on the body. B Vitamins can enhance our mood and help reduce anxiety.
Organic/non-GMO, sprouted beans and legumes are healthful boosters of both dopamine (essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system) and norepinephrine (known as the stress hormone, because it is released in times of high anxiety “fight or flight” situations). They are both neurotransmitters. (Neurotransmitters are complex chemical couriers that coordinate communication between neurons, which in turn influence every cell, tissue, and system in our body.) What we eat affects the formation of neurotransmitters, and some diet-related neurotransmitters have a significant effect on our mood, our appetite and our cravings.
Organic/non-GMO romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, parsley, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, citrus fruits, lentils, basil, arugula, sunflower seeds, and mushrooms all contain the nutrient folate (B9), which helps us attain a calmer mood.
Enjoy organic/non-GMO yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables. Papayas, beets, apples and red bell peppers have Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and folate, which enhance mood, energize, and repair cells damaged from stress. It is wonderful how eating a piece of fresh fruit can help calm the brain.
Organic/non-GMO green vegetables like romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, parsley, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, and lentils are packed with Vitamin A.
Celery and celery seeds have been found to help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of cancer, reduce inflammation, and prevent age-related vision loss. It has been found to aid in the growth and development of nerve cells, creating a soothing effect for nerves. I like having a glass of pure, freshly juiced celery juice by itself a few times a week for the health benefits.
Eat organic/non-GMO foods that are purple. These foods contain anthocyanin antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation which contributes to bad moods. Purple foods include wild blueberries and purple potatoes.
Wild Blueberries have been found (in a fully controlled double-blind study) to prevent low mood and depression. The study examined the effects of the flavonoid-rich blueberries on mood in young people, and found that the blueberries significantly boosted mood, which in turn helped prevent depression in young people.
Wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant power of regularly cultivated blueberries, and more antioxidants than twenty other fruits and vegetables, including cranberries, strawberries, plums, and raspberries.
Purple potatoes were considered “treasures” of the Incas. Purple or otherwise, don’t peel these purple potatoes. The skins of vegetables and fruits commonly contain high levels of antioxidants and nutrients, and are frequently much greater than the fruit or vegetable itself. (This also applies to skins you would not normally think to consume, like lemon skins).
The organic/non-GMO purple potato skins contain iodine, which is the main nutrient that supports your thyroid and helps stabilize hormone levels. This will help prevent mood swings. The health benefits of purple potatoes are that they can stop the blood vessels from feeding cancer cells, they boost the immune system, and they help in digestion health.
My children always loved it when I made purple mashed potatoes when their friends came over for dinner. It made our dinner more colorful and fun.
In addition to fresh, organic/non-GMO fruits and vegetables, here are some effective stress-reducing foods and supplements you can add to your diet:
Maca root is a wonderful superfood that originated in the Andes. The raw powder of the maca root helps the body cope with stress. It contains more than 55 beneficial phytochemical nutrients that help our bodies regulate hormones, relieve the symptoms of depression, reduce stress, elevate mood, and increase stamina. Maca root has been found to fortify weak immune systems and aid in re-mineralizing the body.
Maca root helps the adrenal or suprarenal glands, which can be weakened by stress. These glands are chiefly responsible for regulating our body’s stress response. Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include dark circles under the eyes, low blood sugar, lower back pain, knee weakness or pain, fatigue, cravings for sugar or salt, chronic infections, and lack of libido. The adrenal glands are very important for our immune system and proper thyroid function. Not many foods support and nurture the adrenal glands.
Maca comes in gold, red and black colors. The red maca is most beneficial for balancing hormones, and increasing strength and stamina. Out of the three varieties, the red type has the highest amount of amino acids (the building blocks of protein).
I buy raw, organic red or black maca root powder, because the raw root is not processed over 118°F, and therefore it retains the live enzymes necessary to feed the cells of the body. You can purchase maca root powder at health food stores or online. Maca root does not have much flavor, so you can add it to many foods. I add it to smoothies in the morning, and it goes well with fruit or cacao smoothies.
Drink plenty of high-quality, mineral-rich water and avoid chlorinated and fluoridated tap water. The chlorine can destroy the Vitamin E and the good probiotics in your body. The fluoride and the chlorine can prevent the thyroid from absorbing iodine, which is the necessary nutrient needed for the thyroid to function properly. The thyroid can directly affect your mood and energy levels.
I like to drink a water here in Texas called Crazy Water.
It has natural lithium in it that is a natural mineral.
(Natural lithium is completely different from chemically made ones by pharmaceutical companies. I don’t recommend those types at all.) “Multiple studies conducted in Texas have found a fascinating correlation between lithium levels in drinking water and positive mental health outcomes. Specifically, research has shown that communities with higher natural concentrations of lithium in their drinking water have lower rates of suicide and violent behavior compared to those with minimal lithium presence.” (4) You might look around in your area, state or country and see if you have any natural waters with this mineral in it.
Balancing Hormones Can Help
Hormones can play a part in how we feel. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and low libido are all signs that our hormones may be imbalanced. I use the Lifewave’s Sp6 patch, which balances hormones, increases organ function, helps control appetite and cravings, while also balancing the hypothalamus and regulating the autonomic nervous system and helping with digestion.
(If you want to try the Lifewave patches, my referral number is 1439757. Let me know when you are ordering them, so I can help you place your order, and/or give you advice for using them in the most effective way possible.)
Food And Beverages Can Help Balance Hormones
Tulsi tea (also known as Holy Basil), is a member of the mint family and a sacred plant in India. It has been shown to help regulate hormones and relieve stress, as well as other health benefits.
Tulsi tea (Holy Basil) is a powerful antioxidant with demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to the tulsi tea, consuming healthy fats like avocado or avocado oil, coconut oil, cold-pressed hemp or flax seed oil (an Omega-3 fatty acid) can boost your mood, as well as help in regulating your hormones.
Also, according to William Li, M.D., President of the Angiogenesis Foundation, beets are particularly good, because eating them contributes a particular bacterium, Lactobacillus reuteri, that supports the immune system. This healthy bacterium will enable your body’s ability to boost testosterone production, help your body reduce fat cell production (so you stay slim) and decrease tumor growth. This beneficial bacterium will actually talk to your brain and have it release oxytocin that makes us feel good.
Make sure you avoid using alcohol based or toxic mouthwashes, because these toxic mouthwashes or toothpastes will destroy your beneficial bacteria that are naturally in your mouth. These beneficial bacteria are important to have in your mouth when you are chewing food. (Yes, we all need to slow down and chew our food well.) These bacteria help process things like the nitrates (naturally occurring, not the synthetic variety) in the beets, or the glucose syanaze in watercress. This way you can obtain the most optimum health benefits from consuming healthy fruits and vegetables, like beets, onion, garlic, greens, watercress, and more.
When we eat nitrates from plants, the chewing and natural bacteria in our mouth convert these nitrates into nitrites. These natural nitrites that we have converted from the nitrates, when absorbed, are stored in our cells, and are then turned into nitric oxide, which is a compound that’s proven to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Many people struggle with hormone balance. Using a bio-identical compounded hormone created from yams is beneficial, and avoids the side effects that can come from using synthetic versions. It is recommended to balance estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. A low testosterone can create depression. Low progesterone can affect your ability to sleep.
To determine your individual hormonal needs, have your physician thoroughly evaluate your hormone levels with a blood or urine test. You may need to specifically request non-synthetic hormone therapy. Some physicians are not aware that there is a natural compounded hormone therapy, and you may need to help inform your physician, or find a naturopathic physician who will prescribe this for you.
After starting a natural hormone replacement program, your physician will monitor and re-evaluate your hormone levels, to assure they are maintained at their optimum range.
Supplements
Complex amino acid therapy has been found to help with many types of health problems, including lifting mood, calming the mind, and creating a sense of well-being. People who suffer from depression, anxiety and low mood might benefit from supplementing their body with complex amino acids, because they get converted into neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters include serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, and all of them play a major role in brain and bodily functions.
According to researchers, an imbalance of serotonin levels could be one of the causes of bipolar disorder. This is because this chemical is connected to bodily functions like eating, memory, the ability to sleep, impulse responses, learning, and sexual functions. When we are low in Dopamine, we feel no pleasure, our world looks bland, we feel an inability to “love”, and we have no remorse about personal behavior.
There are organic foods that supply complex amino acids naturally. Here are a few good choices:
A. Banana
An organic banana is a natural food source of tyrosine. Tyrosine is the amino acid that neurons turn into norepinephrine and dopamine. Norepinephrine and dopamine are neurotransmitters that are important in creating our ability to be motivated, concentrate and have a more effective memory.
B. Beets
Beets are commonly called beetroot in the UK, while in other parts of the world (such as the U.S.A.) they are called “beets” and their juice “beet juice”.
Organic beets contain the amino acid Betaine. It is an antidepressant. Betaine acts as a stimulant for the production of SAM-e (S-adenoslmethionine). The body cannot do without SAM-e, which it produces. SAM-e is directly related to the production of certain hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin.
C. Watermelon
Organic watermelon fruit, juice, and watermelon rind are all rich with Vitamins A, B6, and C. Vitamin B6 is used by the body to manufacture neurotransmitters such as serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. I frequently put the cleaned rind and the meat of the watermelon in a blender and create a delicious healthy drink. It is hydrating, and it has both the fiber and the nutrients. (Avoid buying seedless fruits and vegetables, because they are genetically modified. There are no Divinely given seedless plants.)
In addition to consuming healthy foods that contain complex amino acids, 5 HTP is a great supplement that contains these complex amino acids. It has been studied extensively and has been shown to boost the mood in as little as 20 minutes.
L-Theanine is a complex amino acid that can help relieve stress and promote relaxation.
Vitamins
Make sure you are not low in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is prohormone and helps prevent inflammation. A deficiency of Vitamin D can cause depression and has also been linked to cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some autoimmune diseases.
What Should We Avoid?
To start off a healthier eating plan to help relieve depression or anxiety, eliminate foods that have additives, preservatives, and food color dyes.
On a side note, if you are a coffee drinker, or have caffeine as a part of your diet, be aware that caffeine has been shown to suppress serotonin, as well as cause deficiencies in magnesium, iron and B Vitamins. (B Vitamins are essential for our body to have a healthy nervous system, adrenal function and a healthy response to stress). In fact, according to Duke University Medical Center, people who drink coffee have elevated blood pressure and higher levels of stress hormones all day and into the evening, creating a scenario in which the body acts like it is continually under stress.
Coffee’s diuretic effects can cause your body to excrete Vitamins A, D, E, K and the essential fatty acids in the urine. If you rely on caffeine, and suffer from stress or depression, you may want to reconsider if you really want caffeine as a part of your daily diet.
Increasingly since the 1960s, more people have come to depend on processed foods that contain colored dyes, MSG, preservatives, synthetic additives, and high levels of caffeine.
Many foods such as juices, soft drinks, candy, gelatins, breakfast cereals, baked and snack foods, chips, crackers, cookies, salad dressings, frozen desserts, and even food you wouldn’t normally suspect, such as pickles or fresh produce, are coated in dye to make them look more pleasing or have MSG (monosodium glutamate) added to make people think they taste good.
A 68-page report called Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks by the Center for Science in the Public Interest states: “Studies of the nine dyes currently approved by the FDA suggest, if not prove, that most of the dyes cause health problems, including cancer, hypersensitivity, or neurotoxicity (including hyperactivity and behavioral problems). In many ways, we may be able to help ourselves by cleaning up our diet and eating healthier foods.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer. The component glutamate, or glutamic acid, is an excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter in the brain. These neurotransmitters in the brain are normal, but when there is an excess of them, cells will be over-stimulated and die.
According to neurosurgeon Dr. Russell Blaylock’s book “Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills,” these excitotoxins will stimulate neurons in the brain until the neurons die as a result. This causes various degrees of brain damage. MSG is now added to almost all processed foods, including the sweeteners NutraSweet and aspartame. MSG is found in foods at almost all fast food restaurants and even other restaurants you might not suspect. The reason MSG has become such a huge part of the food industry is because it works on the brain as a pleasure trigger, making you think food tastes better. So, food that normally tastes bland may taste great with MSG added to it. The diet food industry has especially benefited from using MSG.
However, MSG can send pleasure impulses to the brain until it kills that part of the brain. This can lead to depression. Dr. Blaylock has tried for many years to educate people about the toxicity of this additive in our food supply.
The FDA has no limit on how much MSG can be added to food. Theoretically, in children, the long-term effects can be attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and other learning disabilities. In adults, conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disease, sleep disorders, migraines, depression and the inability to lose weight may be linked to excitotoxin damage. Over the years, more and more MSG has been added to foods.
Hydrolyzed proteins, also used as flavor enhancers, are proteins that have been chemically broken down into amino acids. When they are digested, the result can be the creation of free glutamate, which joins with free sodium in the body to form MSG. This means that while the ingredient label will list only “hydrolyzed protein,” the effect on the body is the same as if the product contained MSG.
Free glutamate can cause the body to react as if a drug had stimulated the nervous system. It can affect insulin metabolism, leading to excessive insulin secretion by the pancreas. Some common symptoms of a reaction to free glutamate are anxiety attacks, mood swings, depression, asthma-like symptoms, attention deficit disorder, burning sensations, carpal tunnel syndrome, chest pains, diarrhea, disorientation and confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, flushing, gastric distress, headaches and migraines, hyperactivity in children, infertility and other endocrine problems, insomnia, irregular or rapid heartbeat, joint pain, mouth lesions, nausea and vomiting, numbness of parts of the body such as the fingertips, seizures, shortness of breath, skin rash, slurred speech, stomachaches, tremors, and weakness.
Some of the ingredients aren’t MSG when they are put in food, but they create MSG when they touch saliva. Many of these look just like “normal” food ingredients (a few examples of these: textured protein, bouillon, broth, stock, flavoring, natural flavoring, seasoning, spices, hydrolyzed oat flour, malt flavoring and/or extract, enzymes, and soy protein concentrate or isolate). Many of them are added to alternative meat products sold as vegetarian foods. That is why it is becoming more and more important for your health to buy whole, fresh foods and make meals yourself.
Avoid Soy
Another food to avoid is soy. Avoid soy and soy products that aren’t fermented. Soy foods are promoted as being healthy, but they are very hard on the body and extremely high in goitrogens (substances that are known to suppress thyroid function and actually promote hypothyroidism).
Unfermented soy is also high in phytic acid and can keep the body from absorbing other essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and particularly protein.
The thyroid is a master gland which controls almost every system of the body, including the heart, GI tract, and your weight, as well as sleep, mood, and the growth of hair, skin and nails. One of the most reliable ways of spotting a thyroid problem is a basal body temperature below the normal 98.6 Fahrenheit – check your morning temperature three days in a row to confirm the actual average. Research shows a natural supplement containing both iodine and iodide is very important to healthy thyroid function. Iodine and Iodide have different functions and we require both for optimum functioning of the thyroid.
I have always found that working in my garden or preparing food for the table to be a very relaxing and calming experience.
When you are preparing a meal, light candles, put on nice music, enjoy a cup of warm chamomile tea (natural caffeine-free chamomile tea has a calming effect on the body), and make it a wonderful, peaceful experience. This can set the tone that can help relieve stress and anxiety.
In conclusion, mood can be boosted tremendously by consuming healthy foods and supplements that fight depression, and avoiding ingredients that can cause depression and anxiety. By eating a nutritious diet, a person can not only lift their mood, but also live a happier, healthier life.
Sources:
1. Trends in U.S. Depression Prevalence From 2015 to 2020: The Widening Treatment Gap. https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(22)00333-6/fulltext
2. CNBC – https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/05/youth-suicide-rates-rose-62percent-from-2007-to-2021.htm
3. According to CNN, a child under 13 commits suicide every 5 days. https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/14/health/child-suicides/index.html
In the New Yorker, April 2022, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/04/11/the-mystifying-rise-of-child-suicide
https://www.childrenshospitals.org/content/behavioral-health/summary/the-state-of-pediatric-suicide
https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
https://childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/antidepressant-prescriptions-increasing-young-people
https://www.nhsinform.scot/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/25/well/mind/antidepressants-side-effects-anxiety-stress.html
https://www.drugs.com/prozac.html, https://www.drugs.com/celexa.htm
https://www.drugs.com/zoloft.html, https://www.drugs.com/paxil.html,
https://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html
4. The Texas Connection: Research on Lithium and Mental Health. https://www.strongonhealth.com/single-post/the-texas-connection-research-on-lithium-and-mental-health
copyright@nancyaddison2024
Nancy’s 7 books on Amazon are also in Audio and some of them are in large print:
https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Addison/e/B00E6K5KGY/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Nancy’s website is: https://www.organichealthylife.com
Support Nancy’s work – Donate on venmo – @Nancy-Addison
Medical Disclaimer:
Information provided in this podcast, blog, article, video is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.
Do not use the information provided in this blog, audio podcast, article, video for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.
Information provided in this video or audio and the use of any products or services related to this video by you DOES NOT create a health counselor-client relationship between you and Nancy Addison, certified health counselor. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
|
