My answer to them is that you are not alone.
Stress… who doesn’t have that in their life at some time or other?

Stress is commonly known as the Silent Killer.

No one is immune from the day-to-day stresses that occur in our lives. Stresses can be anything from someone cutting us off in traffic, to work-related stresses, to the loss of a close friend or relative.

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.

Taking yoga, doing deep breathing, and exercising are all wonderful ways that can help someone to handle stress more effectively.

My daughter sent me this TED video, “How to make stress your friend” by Kelly McGonigal, and it is fantastic. This talk addresses stress and how we think of stress and it’s effects on our life and health.
Click Here for the link. I highly recommend watching it. I found it very enlightening.

Being a health counselor and nutritionist, I understand that most people these days need some help once in a while with boosting our mood, reducing and handling stress more effectively, or overcoming depression. There are 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.

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.

Avoiding processed or restaurant foods, as well as the use of antibiotics (that can be unknowingly contributing to anxiety or depression) is recommended.

A few supplements you can take are complex amino acids. Amino acids (including L-tryptophan, N-A-C (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine), L-Theanine), are good because they are the “building blocks of proteins,” and without a wide array of them in our diets, we can’t even survive, let alone thrive.

One reason we are depleted in some of these complex amino acids is because the herbicide, called Round-Up Ready
(containing glyphosate), which is used on most food crops, blocks some of these complex amino acids, and therefore we are not able to obtain it from our food.

L-Tryptophan (also called tryptophan) is one of these important complex amino acids that may be depleted or missing from most of the populations of the world.

L- Tryptophan is a natural mood regulator. L-Tryptophan helps the body produce and balance certain hormones naturally. Supplementing with tryptophan-rich foods (Organic, Non-GMO: poultry, beef, sprouted beans, sprouted lentils, sprouted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, chia seeds, sprouted buckwheat, sprouted oats, and eggs) or taking supplements helps bring on natural calming effects, induces sleep, fights anxiety and can also help burn more body fat.

L-Tryptophan has also been found to stimulate the release of growth hormones, reduce food cravings for carbohydrates, and help kick a sugar addiction in some cases.

An important byproduct of L-Tryptophan is 5HTP (5-hyrdoxytryptophan), which works in the brain and central nervous system to boost feelings of well-being, connection and safety.

In addition to complex amino acids, most people are deficient in a nutrient/mineral that is a critical component of their overall health (including mental health). This nutrient/mineral is magnesium. It is water-soluble, and it needs to be replenished on a regular basis.

If the magnesium level is too low, you can experience muscle cramps, heart arrhythmias, and even sudden death.

“Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, and helps bones remain strong. It also helps adjust blood glucose.

Magnesium is also known as “the mood mineral,” because it helps decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Magnesium is important in the production of serotonin, a hormone linked to feelings of happiness.

It has been called the anti-stress mineral, because magnesium can help prevent feelings of nervousness or irritability. PsychologyToday.com recently reviewed various studies of the mineral, and labeled magnesium as the “original chill pill” because of evidence supporting its health and calming benefits.

According to some studies this article cites are ones that show a benefit of magnesium supplementation and relief of depression
(including post-partum depression), anxiety, insomnia, premenstrual dysphoria, cravings, chronic fatigue syndrome, mania, and schizophrenia, among others.

Magnesium chloride is the most effective type of magnesium, because of its high bioavailability, due to its efficient solubility in water. With our bodies being 66 to 72 % water, this is an effective and easy way to obtain and utilize this critically important mineral.

You can replenish the magnesium chloride in your body by either using a lotion, bath flakes, or by consuming a magnesium-rich diet. Examples of magnesium-rich foods are leafy greens, dark chocolate, bananas, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds.

In conclusion, if you are troubled with nervousness, depression, anxiety, muscle cramping, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, heart problems, or diabetes, try adding a little magnesium chloride and some complex amino acids to your daily health regimen. These simple supplements are easy, cost-effective, and very beneficial for relieving stress and creating better health and well-being.

By Nancy Addison CHC, AADP copyright@nancyaddison2021

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The information from Nancy Addison and Organic Healthy Lifestyle LLC is not offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or disorder nor have any statements herein been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We strongly encourage you to discuss topics of concern with your health care provider.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article, book, podcast, website, email, etc. is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC, AADP. 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.

The post Stress Remedies appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

Rather than swinging through various diets, it is more important and sustainable to develop a healthy lifestyle and diet that works best for you. This includes not only what to eat or what not to eat, but also how to maintain an active and wholesome lifestyle.
Here are 8 of my top suggestions to help you reach and maintain your optimum weight and goals simply and successfully. They will help you live a healthier life.

1. The first part of an effective, healthy weight loss program should focus primarily on consuming fresh, whole, organic plant-based foods.

If you are really serious about losing weight and getting healthier, then cutting out or down on meat, chicken, fish, dairy or egg-based foods is the optimal way to begin, for at least the first two weeks of your program. The main reason to do this is for your health.

In fact, a recent study was done with 6,000 people between the ages of 50 and 65, who reported eating high creature-sourced protein (for example: beef, pork, lamb, fowl, fish, dairy and eggs). This US Dietary Survey showed that these people not only had a 75 percent increase in dying from ANY cause, but also a quadruple increase in cancer death risk and a quintuple greater increase in death from diabetes, when compared with the low protein intake group.

It is important to note that these associations were either greatly lessened or completely eliminated if the proteins were vegan (plant) based. The composition of amino acids, (building blocks of protein), that are derived from animals (beef, pork, lamb, chicken, fish, dairy and eggs) is different than from plant proteins. What we need are the amino acids, not the proteins themselves.
Focus on eating fresh, whole vegetables and fruits, and avoiding all boxed and packaged foods (which are often highly processed and filled with preservatives). It may feel overwhelming at first, but try to stick with it and it will become easier the more you do it.

2. This healthy lifestyle plan also involves getting yourself moving. Exercise is important for everyone and is necessary to keep your body healthy.

We need to move! If you can’t stand up, then move while seated. Exercise your arms and upper body, if that is all you can do at the moment. For example, while sitting at your desk or sitting in the car, stretch your arms. Stretch and move as much as possible. If you can move more than that, then do what you can or what best fits your body for at least 30 minutes per day, four times per week. Those who can walk, should walk for a minimum of 30 minutes per day (or at least four times per week), preferably in a brisk manner.
Studies show that when you exercise before breakfast, it stabilizes your blood sugar immediately and energizes you for the rest of the day. Also, people who exercise before breakfast lose weight quicker.

In addition to this, if you add short bursts of high intensity to your workout, it can increase your fat burn by up to 36%. For example, if you are walking, add a minute or two of jogging to your walk. If you are on a treadmill, add a minute or two of a faster, more intense pace to the workout intermittently. It is so easy to do, and, wow, what a difference it can make!

Try picking up a new fun form of exercise, such as dance classes or yoga. It’s important to get your body moving on a regular basis.
When you feel ready, increase your exercise time to 45 – 60 minutes every day. If you miss a day, don’t get upset with yourself. Simply get back to your routine again tomorrow. Always be kind to yourself. Just pick up where you left off and get going again. Ideally, we should exercise every single day, even if it’s something as basic as walking or taking the stairs.

Getting your body oxygenated and your circulatory system moving is important to maintaining an active metabolism. It is also very helpful to your overall health and well-being.

3. Start doing weight training!
Weight training doesn’t have to be too heavy. Find what works for you. Weight training increases bone density, and it improves muscle mass, balance, and connective tissue strength. It also increases your metabolism!
Weight training should be a priority if you really want to burn more fat. Lifting weights raises your metabolism long after you finish working out. It is estimated that your metabolism can stay elevated up to 39 hours afterwards! As you build more muscle, muscle is more metabolically active than fat. Some estimate that each extra pound of muscle you gain burns 30 or more extra calories a day. It’s estimated that a pound of muscle burns six calories at rest, compared to two calories burned by a pound of fat.

4. Always eat sitting down at some form of table.
This does not mean eating in the car. In fact, a good lifestyle means to never eat in your car, standing up, walking, or in front of the refrigerator. If you are hungry and standing at the refrigerator, pull up a chair! No, just kidding—but really, don’t stand at the refrigerator and eat! Instead, simply take something out, put it on a small plate, and then sit down at the table to eat your food slowly and mindfully. Enjoy each bite, and chew your food thoroughly. Savor your food and enjoy it. Make it an experience that is fun, enjoyable, and relaxing.

5. Chew your food completely without washing it down with liquids.
In other words, do not drink liquids with your meals. When we are eating our meals, the most important thing is to digest our food completely, absorb the nutrients, and get the waste out of our body as efficiently as possible.
When we drink liquids with our food, we are watering down our digestive juices in our stomach, and the food is not as effectively digested. We also may not chew our food as thoroughly if we wash it down with a liquid. So try to avoid liquids with your meals. Chew your food as completely as possible, until it is almost liquid by the time you swallow it.

6. Eat three good meals a day with little or no snacking.
Eating a healthy breakfast and lunch is an important key to health. Don’t nibble here and there. Snacking can add up quickly without your even noticing how much you actually eat. Small snacks can also make your body dependent upon constant nourishment.
Why would your body consume unwanted extra weight (fat), if it is never hungry? You need to give your body a reason to burn off that weight!

Get your food out, prepare your meal, and put it on a small plate. Sit down and take time to chew your food well. Savor your meals, relax, and enjoy.

7. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. This means if you are 100 pounds, you would drink 50 ounces of water every day. Quality water is important. Water is a unique element. According to my research, water should have electrolytes and be free of chlorine and fluoride. Electrolyte is a fancy medical term for the word salt. The salt that is unrefined and mineral rich contains an abundance of electrolytes (for example: Bolivian Rose Salt or Himalayan Salt). This not only increases the health properties of water, but it also allows for better absorption into our bodies. Water is important to life.

More than 66% of our body is water. Everyone needs to stay hydrated every single day by drinking high-quality water. (An effective, inexpensive, and portable water filter that you can purchase is the Zero Water Filter Pitcher.) This may be one of the most important things we can do for the health of our body.

The best time to have water is the first thing in the morning when we wake up. This starts the hydration process immediately. Whatever we put into our body first will be absorbed like a sponge, so this is the ideal time to have a large glass of water. It is widely known that many diseases are caused by cellular dehydration. Therefore, it is imperative to stay hydrated in order to avoid disease.
Even in the winter, when we may not feel like we need to drink as much water, we need to stay just as hydrated as we do in the summer.

8. Cut wheat and corn out of your diet.
Wheat and corn should be greatly reduced or completely eliminated from your diet. Wheat has the unusual characteristic of being able to raise blood sugar rapidly. Additionally, due to today’s genetic modification of wheat, it now contains up to 80% more gluten than it did 100 years ago.

Gluten is the glue-like substance that is part of various grains. When we eat wheat or other grains that contain gluten (and are refined, highly processed, or have had the fiber removed), it is quite literally like eating glue. If you do choose to eat it, eat organic, non-GMO, and whole, sprouted grain varieties.

Also, according to Dr. Steven Greer, in 1960, Archer Daniels purposely developed a variety of wheat with a protein called gliadin, to have more addictive characteristics in it than cocaine or heroin. You can find this gliadin protein in wheat, rye, and barley. You may also find it in oats, even though oats are gluten free.

He said they developed it to have unnatural molecules in it that trick the thyroid into thinking it is T1, T2, T3, and T4, but it is not. This creates chemical imbalances. What this will do is effectively shut down the thyroid, which is our master gland that controls many of our bodily functions. The person who ingests this wheat (grain) variety will be unable to get enough energy, and this leads to depression.
Dr. Greer and David Wilcock said this became public knowledge from four of the scientists who worked on this food for the Archer Daniels Company and reported this to the Christian Broadcasting Network. Gliadin has also been found to create permeability of the intestines. These are some of the reasons why so many people are having intestinal problems, thyroid problems, and are finding that they can’t eat wheat or wheat products. As we can see, it’s not just the gluten that is causing these health problems. (I personally think this should be illegal.)

Corn is not only high in sugar, but is also prone to molds and funguses that can be toxic to us and compromise our immune systems. Most corn today is grown as a genetically modified food, which has a Bt toxin built into it. Studies show that this toxin can eat holes in the stomach and intestinal tract, which causes leaky gut, gluten intolerance, and many other health problems. This Bt toxin is in many GMO (genetically modified) foods, such as soy.

In conclusion, if you commit to this healthy lifestyle (regular exercise, some weight lifting, and wholesome foods) and diet (completely organic, non-GMO, vegetarian or vegan, gluten-free and mostly living, raw food), you can lose anywhere between 5 and 15 pounds per week. It depends on you!

Be sure to read ingredient labels, because corn, soy, and wheat are used in almost all processed foods in one form or another. Become a savvy ingredient label reader!

Find what works best for you by listening to your heart and your own body. You are the best guide and judge of your body and your health. For many of us in transition, whether with new food choices or with life in general, it takes baby steps. Becoming a healthier person is a journey. Simply start the journey, and see where it takes you!

Special Note for a healthier New Year:

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction problems, here is an on-line therapy program that may be able to help. Click here for the website.

Nancy Addison is a certified health counselor, nutritionist, chef, as well as a certified practitioner of Psychosomatic Therapy. She teaches people about living a healthier, happier life through nutrition and lifestyle. She has appeared on NBC, Fox, CBS, and in documentaries (one example- “Eating You Alive”). You can reach her on her website, Organic Healthy Life, or find more easy, healthy recipes in Nancy’s books. Here is her author page on Amazon. Author.to/nancyaddison

copyright@nancyaddison2020

The information from Nancy Addison and Organic Healthy Lifestyle LLC is not offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or disorder nor have any statements herein been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We strongly encourage you to discuss topics of concern with your health care provider.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article, book, podcast, website, email, etc. is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC, AADP. 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.

copyright@nancyaddison2019

The post Quality Food For A Healthier New Year appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

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 our mood, reducing or handling stress more effectively, or overcoming depression. There are 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 also going to discuss a few things to avoid in processed or restaurant foods, as well as use of antibiotics, 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.

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.

Beans and legumes are healthful boosters of both dopamine (essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system) and norepinephrine (It’s known as the the stress hormone, because it is released in times of high anxiety “fight or flight” situation.), which are both neurotransmitters. (Neurotransmitters are complex chemical couriers that coordinate communication between neurons, which in turn influences 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.

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 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.

 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 risk of cancer, lower LDL (bad cholesterol), 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 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 the 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, raspberries, and even cultivated blueberries.

 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 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. One of the particular health benefits of purple potatoes are that they can stop the blood vessels from feeding cancer cells, they boost the immune system and 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 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 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.

Foods And Beverages For Balancing Hormones

Hormones can play a part in how we feel. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, low libido are all signs that hormones may be imbalanced. Tulsi tea (It is also known as Holy basil), is a member of the mint family and a sacred plant in India. has been shown to help regulate hormones, 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 flaxseed oil (Omega 3 fatty acid) can boost your mood, as well as help in regulating hormones.

Also, according to William Li, M.D., President of the Angiogenesis Foundation, beets are particularly good, because eating them contribute 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 glucose syanaze

in watercress, so you can obtain the most optimum health benefits from consuming healthy fruits and vegetables, like beets, onion, garlic, greens, watercress, etc. When we eat nitrates from plants, the chewing and natural bacteria in our mouth convert these nitrates into nitrites.

These natural nitrates, that we have converted from the nitrates when absorbed, are stored in our cells, 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 are natural, compounded hormone therapy and you may need to help inform your physician or find a naturopathic physician who will prescribe these 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.

I order foods from the Health Ranger’s store. He analyzes the products personally for purity. (He carries a variety of things other than foods, including water purifiers, essential oils, etc.)

Supplements

1. Complex Amino Acids

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 could supplement 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.

In a recent study, the researchers found that elderly people given complex amino acid therapy had “unequivocal improvement” with their dementia.

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 body functions like eating, memory,  ability to sleep, impulse responses, learning, and sexual. 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 foods that supply complex amino acids naturally. Here are a few good choices;

1. Banana

A banana is a natural food source of tyrosine. Tyrosine is the amino acid 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.

     2. Beets (which are called beetroot in the UK)

While in other parts of the world (such as the U.S.A.) they are commonly called “beets” and their juice “beet juice”. 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.    

3. Watermelon juice and watermelon rind

Watermelon and watermelon rind are both 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, has the fiber and the nutrients.

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.

In addition to complex amino acids, there is a supplement, Protandim, that has been studied extensively and found to help with cell damage and oxidative stress. It can help reduce oxidative stress by 40% in 30 days. (I recently started taking it for my overall health.)

It’s been nominated for two Nobel Prizes for Medicine and has had over 26 peer-reviewed medical papers written about it.

ABC did a PrimeTime Update on this supplement to show it’s benefits for aging and overall health. 
(If you want to try this supplement, let me know, and I’ll be happy to help you in choosing which one of their products would be best suited for you and your health situation.)


Hemp Oil is another good supplement. Many clinical studies have shown that hemp oil benefits include anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-oxidant, and anti-psychotic properties. There are encouraging trials with hemp oil being used as medicine for the treatment of neuro-inflammation, epilepsy, oxidative stress, nausea, anxiety and schizophrenia. 

Vitamins

Make sure you are not low in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a 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.

According to Creighton University, “Researchers are challenging the intake of vitamin D recommended by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine saying their Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin D underestimates the need by a factor of ten.” Robert Heaney, M.D., of Creighton University, wrote: “We call for the NAS-IOM and all public health authorities concerned with transmitting accurate nutritional information to the public to designate, as the RDA, a value of approximately 7,000 IU/day from all sources.”

Magnesium Chloride can help reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia, as well as help with muscle cramping. I use the Magnesium Chloride by Elektra. You can soak in a bath with it or use the lotion with magnesium in it. Here is a link to the website: https://www.magnesiumviaskin.com/?ref=10  Magnesium needs to be replenished on a daily basis.

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 and 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 has since been added to almost all processed foods, including the sweeteners NutraSweet and aspartame. It 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.

Click here for a complete list of hidden sources of MSG that Dr. Blaylock includes in his book Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills. 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.

To be even more tricky, some of the ingredients aren’t MSG when they are put in food, but they create MSG when they touch saliva. So, they can say, it doesn’t have MSG, but when you ingest it, it becomes MSG. You may want to read more about this in Dr. Blaylock’s articles and books.

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. It’s been found to cause brain damage and cancer.

The thyroid is a master gland that controls almost every system of the body from the heart, GI tract, and 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.  Be sure to check your morning temperature three days in a row to confirm the actual average. Research shows that taking 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 some 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.

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