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 new photo-therapy technology with the Aeon patch.  I use them myself, and I also recommend them to many of my clients. They are non-transdermal. The AEON patch has actually been called the “happy patch” because it can reduce 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 the new photo-therapy technology 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. 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 new photo-therapy technology 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 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 HelpHormones 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  new photo-therapy technology 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.In addition to using the Sp6 patch,

I  also use another photo-therapy technology Lifewave Aeon patch to lift my mood. No drug and no known side-effect. I love to sleep in it. it is quite effective and can work within 20 minutes for me. It’s so powerful, it has been called the “Happy Patch.”

Aeon is an anti-inflammatory, anti-stress patch that calms the nervous system, because of this, it’s called the happy patch. Raises Anti-neoplastons, brain balancing, calming. reduces cortisol, reduces c-reactive proteins, elevates DHEA.  Aeon reduces 5 types of inflammation: c-reactive protein, inflammatory cytokines, homocysteine, lipid peptide and fibrinogen while increasing antioxidant activity.
(If you want to try the new photo-therapy technology patches, my referral number is 1439757. Let me know when you are ordering them, so I can help you place your order, and I will provide you with help 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.I order  organic/non-GMO foods from the Health Ranger’s store. The Health Ranger, Mike Adams, analyzes the products personally for purity. (He carries a variety of things other than foods, including water purifiers, essential oils, and more.) Click here for the Health Ranger Store.

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. 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 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.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, (recommended daily allowance), a value of approximately 7,000 IU/day from all sources.”

(I order some of my supplements from Global Healing. They test for quality, effectiveness, and origin of ingredients.
Click here for Global Healing.)

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.

For a complete list of hidden sources of MSG that Dr. Blaylock includes in his book, read his book “Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills.”

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
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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.

  ]]> https://organichealthylife.com/holistic-ways-to-lift-depression/feed/ 0 https://organichealthylife.com/holistic-remedies-for-depression-anxiety-sleep-disorders/ https://organichealthylife.com/holistic-remedies-for-depression-anxiety-sleep-disorders/#respond Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:27:13 +0000 https://organichealthylife.com/?p=12303

LONDON BOOK FESTIVAL NAMES PET THERAPY SAGA FOR TOP HONORS
(of Entire Festival)!
As Well As BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR, 2023!

LONDON_ A children’s story and activity book that uses art therapy and a moving tale to help overcome the loss of a pet is the winner of the 2023 London Book Festival, which honors the best of international publishing.

Author Nancy Addison’s book,  For The Love of Willy: Overcoming Sadness After Losing a Beloved Pet
(Organic Healthy Lifestyle Publishing) tells the tale of a woman’s bond with an injured baby squirrel.
She nurtures Willy back to good health, but eventually must leave him in a sanctuary. However, along that path,
she learns to find happiness in her memories, art and expressions of love.

The book provides helpful tips for children to lift their spirits and find happiness again when they are sad about losing a pet.”

&

Nancy’s book
has been awarded the
Gold Winner in the
Mom’s Choice Award For Excellence

 BEST Of SHOW – Winner of the New York Book Festival –
Best Book of the Show & Best Children’s Book of the Year 2023!

&

Winner (the children’s category)
by Maincrest Media Book Awards!

Art therapy coloring and activity book for children who are struggling with the loss of a pet.

Nutritionist and health consultant for humans and creatures, Nancy started rehabilitating animals when she was only a child. Now an International Wildlife and Pet Consultant and Rehabilitator,
she is consulting pet owners, pet food manufacturers, and veterinarians.

Nancy was also awarded “Best Nutritional Consultant” by Petworks 2022.

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.

Bananas are high in vitamin B6, which helps synthesize feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can lift your mood.

Cacao is a good source of magnesium, which reduces anxiety
and boosts the mood, as well as helps the function of over
300 enzymes in the body. Magnesium is also essential for bone and teeth structure.

You will need to start this recipe the day before or a few hours before you wish to serve them.

You will need some parchment or wax paper to allow them to dry after they are dipped into the mixture. Another option is to coat the bottom of a dish with healthy coconut oil so they hopefully won’t stick to the dish as they dry.

Recipe For Chocolate-Covered Bananas On A Stick

Ingredients

Ripe bananas (the number depends on how many you wish to make.)

Raw cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips (about 1/4 cup for each banana)

Raw, organic coconut oil or avocado oil (Adjust the oil for the amount of chocolate you are melting. I use about ¼ cup of oil to each ½ cup of chocolate.)

Optional: Ground-up Sprouted Nuts, sprouted seeds, or coconut flakes for coating the chocolate bananas (choose what you enjoy with chocolate and bananas.)

Directions

1. Cut ripe bananas in half. Then place a popsicle stick in the flat end of the banana, where it is cut, and slide it halfway up the banana.

2. Wrap the bananas in parchment paper, then wrap them in foil and freeze them.

2. If using a ground-up mixture to coat the chocolate-dipped bananas in, place them in separate shallow glass dishes and set aside.
3. Take some organic coconut oil and start to melt it in the top of a double boiler.

5. Put the coconut oil and cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips in a double boiler and stir them, and melt the mixture until it’s creamy.

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Nancy Addison is a certified health counselor, nutritionist, chef, as well as a radio show host, who teaches people about living a healthier, happier life through nutrition and lifestyle. She has appeared on NBC, Fox, CBS, and in documentaries ( “Eating You Alive”).

You can reach her on her website, Organic Healthy Life, or find easy, healthy recipes in Nancy’s books (which are half cookbook).

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The information from Nancy Addison, Organic Healthy Lifestyle, Organic Healthy Life, and guests 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.

Disclaimer: This interview may contain frank discussion of controversial topics and/or discuss words or language that are considered vulgar or offensive by some viewers.

Nancy Addison/ Organic Healthy Lifestyle/Life disclaims any control over, relationship with, or endorsement of views expressed by the speakers or writers invited during interviews. Audiences may research topics for themselves and come to their own conclusions.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email, article, book, podcast, website, email, video,  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 professionals, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. I make no claims about healing anything.

Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty

The author and publisher are not liable for the misuse of this material. This article, website, podcasts, and books are strictly for informational and educational purposes. Nancy Alisa Gibbons Addison offers information and opinions, not a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before taking any home remedies or supplements, or following any treatment suggested by Nancy Addison or by anyone listed in the books, articles, podcasts, videos, or other information contained here. Only your healthcare provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

Nancy’s website: https://www.organichealthylife.com

Nancy Addison is a certified health counselor, nutritionist, chef, as well as a radio show host, who teaches people about living a healthier, happier life through nutrition and lifestyle. She has appeared on NBC, Fox, CBS, and in documentaries ( “Eating You Alive”).

You can reach her on her website, Organic Healthy Life, or find easy, healthy recipes in Nancy’s books (which are half cookbook).

Here is her author page on Amazon. Author.to/nancyaddison

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Twitter – Nancygaddison – https://twitter.com/nancygaddison

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I Heart Radio Show Podcasts

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The information from Nancy Addison, Organic Healthy Lifestyle, Organic Healthy Life, and guests 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.

Disclaimer: This interview may contain frank discussion of controversial topics and/or discuss words or language that are considered vulgar or offensive by some viewers.

Nancy Addison/ Organic Healthy Lifestyle/Life disclaims any control over, relationship with, or endorsement of views expressed by the speakers or writers invited during interviews. Audiences may research topics for themselves and come to their own conclusions.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email, article, book, podcast, website, email, video,  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 professionals, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. I make no claims about healing anything.

Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty

The author and publisher are not liable for the misuse of this material. This article, website, podcasts, and books are strictly for informational and educational purposes. Nancy Alisa Gibbons Addison offers information and opinions, not a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before taking any home remedies or supplements, or following any treatment suggested by Nancy Addison or by anyone listed in the books, articles, podcasts, videos, or other information contained here. Only your healthcare provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

Nancy’s website: https://www.organichealthylife.com

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.

Our mindset is vitally important in this endeavor. What we choose to think about is a choice, but oftentimes our mind goes to a default program created from our past experiences. When we allow our mind to go back to past situations, the emotions from those experiences, good or bad, come rushing back to us. They keep us in the past, and prevent us from truly experiencing the present moment in its fullness.

How do we know what our default program is? One way to know this, is to start to notice what our mind drifts to when we are not doing a task.  What thought comes up in our mind? That is the default place our mind goes to when it is free to pull up anything it chooses.

When we have a thought (any thought), it carries energy with it and creates pathways in the brain. The more we think about a subject, the stronger that path in the brain becomes.

If we are thinking about past hurts or traumas, then the path can become very strong and quite literally start pulling our mind back to those thoughts, simply because it has created such a strong connection.

To get off the old worn pathway of thoughts and create new more joyful ones, we quite literally have to recognize that our mind is doing this.  We must choose to release those old (sometimes negative) thoughts, and refuse to allow them into our present moment and state of mind. In this way, we nurture ourselves by taking a new path, and avoid the continuation of thoughts and emotions from the past that no longer serve us or improve our lives.

Consciously choosing a new, positive, and more present time, thought, and focus can help move our mind away from our old patterns. Each morning, as we awaken, we should choose how to approach that day. We should choose to do it with a cheerful, grateful heart, thankful for all of our blessings. This is a state of being that is positive, and brings forth joy in our lives and the lives of everyone around us.

There are times when we may need to change what we are doing to create a new, higher energy feeling and shift our state of mind.  We can take a walk outside, or listen to uplifting music. When we do this, we start creating a higher vibration and get our mind on the present moment.  We are making new pathways in our brain that will start to offset the old patterns, by creating newer, stronger, and more positive connections.

It is a choice. It may not always seem easy, but if we concentrate and focus on doing this, it will get easier. Any time we start to do something new, we are creating change. Going for positive change and focusing on positive, present day moments can be a powerful way to create true peace in our hearts.  This can help manifest new possibilities for happiness, and unexpected miracles to occur.

Whenever fear or doubt come into our mind or heart, it automatically lowers our vibration and becomes like a vortex leading us onto a downhill slope. Avoiding this can be handled by simply recognizing this, and actually forcing our mind to think of something more constructive. When these fearful thoughts come into our mind, Gregg Braden (an internationally renowned scientist who has combined science and spirituality) teaches that you should say “Not To” and immediately think of something else.

Writing down your worries will get them off and out of your mind. Afterwards, write down all of the miracles, both small and large, that have occurred that day. However small they are, they are going to build your energy in a positive direction and help your mind to focus on the good and positive aspects of your life.

We want to cultivate a daily habit of creating positive change in our lives, and the power of thinking positive thoughts in our mind is a wonderful place to start.  As Socrates once said, “What we think about, we become.”

Words can be very powerful. Having a vocabulary that is positive is an effective step in embracing a more joy-filled life. I remember a blind lady that I worked with once, named Milly. She was not wealthy.  In fact, she was very challenged financially.

Every time I saw Milly and said hello and asked how she was doing, she would always greet me with a cheerful smile and answer “I am blessed.” It was truly her state-of-being. The other people in our group that I worked with didn’t always feel the same way that she did. But as she attempted to learn new skills in her life to help her maneuver through her life without being able to see, her positive attitude stayed with her and created a truly happy place for her to live in her heart and her world.  In addition, it made a happier place for all of us around her.

I also volunteered at the homeless shelter for many years. I was always amazed at the kind, peaceful and happy attitude so many of the people carried with them during the day. It was inspiring and heart-warming. Everyone faces challenges in their life in one way or another.  It’s how we choose to respond or react that we can control.

If we choose to respond/react with kindness, love, and peace, then we may just get that back in return. I have found that to be true more times than not. Focusing on the present moment, looking someone in the eye, connecting on a heart level, and responding in a loving way, can transform situations in miraculous ways.

When we choose to have a calm, peaceful, and positive state of mind, happiness can truly be a state-of-being.

Nancy Addison is an educator, best-selling author, international speaker, healthy chef and radio show host. She teaches people about living a healthier, happier life through nutrition and lifestyle. She has appeared on NBC, Fox, and CBS. You can sign up for Nancy’s free monthly newsletter on her website http://www.organichealthylife.com,

I know many people are wondering about the health benefits of cannabinoid oil, also known as hemp oil or CBD oil. They are also wondering if it’s legal to purchase or if it is going to have negative drug side effects.

In this article, I will try to expand on the studies being done on CBD/hemp oil and the researched health benefits, legal status and a product I have found to be the most effective.

In clinical trials the oil from the cannabis plant, also known as CBD oil has been shown to have these benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory activity.
• Blocking tumor growth.
• Preventing the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors.
• Antiviral activity.
• Relieving muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis.

The use of Cannabis for medicinal purposes dates back at least 3,000 years. It was used in Western medicine until the 20th century and was said to relieve pain, inflammation, spasms, and convulsions.

There are many theories on why it was made illegal, but if you really look into it, and follow the money trail, you will find that the ones who wanted it illegal were benefiting financially.

They simply didn’t want the competition from such an incredibly healthful and economically beneficial plant.

Hemp rope, hemp paper, hemp fabric, Omega 3’s (essential fatty acids), high-quality plant-protein, etc. are just a few of the environmentally sustainable characteristics of this plant that is easily grown and has been used for many products for centuries throughout the world.

In fact, the lumber industry and the synthetic rope industry were two of the leading industries that lead the way to making the hemp plant made illegal, so they could eliminate their competition for paper and rope materials.

According to research at MIT:

“It was industry generated propaganda that got marijuana and industrial hemp demonized and then criminalized.

Du Pont Chemical Company had its hands in a lot of scandals, including the one to promote tetraethyl lead anti-knock fuel additive over the much safer alcohol additive option.

Much of the 3rd world is still suffering from this successful “partnership” of Dupont with Standard Oil (now Exxon) and GM.” (1)

These laws and programs outlawing environmentally friendly hemp in favor of timber for making paper, etc. has done incredible harm to the nation’s (world’s) forests and the Eco-system. “Logging increases fire… Logging has increased fire severity more than any other human activity. This is common sense. After all, logging removes the large trees that are most fire resistant.” (2)

“The effects of CBD in the body are broad and far-reaching. Thus far, the cannabinoid is known to also directly or indirectly affect the following:

• Vanilloid receptors (important for pain modulation)
• Adenosine receptors (important for the sleep-wake cycle)
• Serotonin receptors (important for mood and stress management)

Some rodent studies suggest that CBD may also work by blocking a particular fatty acid known as fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The enzyme that’s responsible for breaking down the naturally occurring endocannabinoid anandamide in your body. Anandamide is also known as the “bliss molecule” or the human THC. It helps regulate basic functions like pleasure and reward, appetite, ovulation, memory, sleep, and pain.” (3)

“Pre-clinical studies of cannabinoids have investigated the following activities: Anti-tumor activity

• Studies in mice and rats have shown that cannabinoids may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells.
• A study in mice showed that cannabinoids may protect against inflammation of the colon and may have potential in reducing the risk of colon cancer, and possibly in its treatment.
• A laboratory study of delta-9-THC in hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) cells showed that it damaged or killed the cancer cells. The same study of delta-9-THC in mouse models of liver cancer showed that it had antitumor effects. Delta-9-THC has been shown to cause these effects by acting on molecules that may also be found in non-small cell lung cancer cells and breast cancer cells.
• A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells. Studies in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer showed that cannabinoids may lessen the growth, number, and spread of tumors.
• A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in human glioma cells showed that when given along with chemotherapy, CBD may make chemotherapy more effective and increase cancer cell death without harming normal cells. Studies in mouse models of cancer showed that CBD together with delta-9-THC may make chemotherapy such as temozolomide more effective.” (4)

World Health Organization

Recently, Dec. 15, 2017, the World Health Organization came out with an announcement:

“A compound found in the cannabis plant is not harmful, has health benefits, and does not have abuse potential.

The WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence focused on cannabidiol, or CBD, one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis plants.

After reviewing evidence from animal and human studies, the committee concludes that “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.” (5)

Hemp (CBD) Oil

A hemp/ CBD oil I have found and personally use is approved by all US states and by all US government regulatory agencies.

This one utilizes a unique delivery system, which dramatically improves the bioavailability of the oil.

This particular one is Hemp Oil provides rapid uptake and bioavailability.

The product is an organic Dietary Supplement and contains hemp extract derived from the stalks and stems of the mature industrial hemp plant, which delivers healthful benefits, without having the psychoactive or “high” effect associated with this type of botanical.

100% Hemp Extract

Suggested Use: Take 1–4 pumps by mouth, holding for 30 seconds before swallowing.

Best taken on an empty stomach 10 minutes before meals and can be stirred into a small amount of water.

Once opened, use within 60 days. Store at room temperature, away from light.

The science behind oil being extracted is proving to be so effective and it’s based on the Human Endocannabinoid System.

This elaborate network is part of our immune system and when it is activated by taking phyto cannabinoid diols, humans (and animals) have better ability to fight, resist, and assist in repairing the mind and body.

The endocannabinoid system also includes the “cannabinoid receptors” or CB receptors that they bind to.

There are two major types of cannabinoid receptors in our bodies: CB1 and CB2.

Activation of the extracellular portion of these receptors causes conformational change and initiates intracellular biochemical reactions.

The vast number of cannabinoid receptors and their prevalence throughout the body suggests a multitude of promising therapeutic targets.

The CB1 receptors are primarily located on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, but they are also found in some peripheral organs and tissues such as the spleen, white blood cells, endocrine gland and parts of the reproductive, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.

“In the brain, the CB1 receptors are abundant in the cerebellum, basal ganglia, hippocampus and dorsal primary afferent spinal cord regions, which is why cannabinoids influence functions such as memory processing, physical discomfort and motor control.” (6)

CB2 receptors

“The CB2 receptors are mainly found on white blood cells, in the tonsils and in the spleen. The immune cells also express CB1, although there are fewer of them than CB2. In the immune system, one important function of the cannabinoid receptors is the regulation of cytokine release.” (7)

This particular oil is Up to 10xs more absorbable than other oils.

“Liposomal delivery brings the power of intravenous therapy into convenient oral delivery. Typical absorption of Phytocannabinoid Diol oil is poor, with only about 10% uptake in the GI tract. Liposomal encapsulation of compounds similar to Phytocannabinoid Diol have been shown to increase absorption five to tenfold. Our high-grade LIPOSOMAL Phytocannabinoid Diol outperforms other products thanks to smaller, more stable, single-layer spheres made from the highest-grade ingredients available.” (8)

In conclusion, many clinical studies have shown that CBD benefits include anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-oxidant, and anti-psychotic properties. There are encouraging trials with CBD oil being used as medicine for the treatment of neuroinflammation, epilepsy, oxidative stress, nausea, anxiety and schizophrenia.

Here is a link to a video of the world-renowned scientist tell about why this oil can be effective. Click here.

People also ask me why this company calls their Hemp oil, hemp oil and not CBD oil. What I understand is that a pharmaceutical company has developed a synthetic version of CBD oil and is getting the “CBD” trademarked and patented, so the government is shutting down any company that is using the “CBD” name. So beware of synthetic “CBD” oil being marketed.

Contact me, if you have any questions.

100% Hemp Extract is grown organically in Colorado.

This is the link for the hemp oil I use.

Tony Robbins uses the same hemp oil I use. He also loves their detox system so much that he made a video about it. Click here to view the video.

It’s been approved by all federal government regulatory agencies.

It is legal to be sold in all US states.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mario_Abate/publication/314080489_Cannabidiol_State_of_the_art_and_new_challenges_for_therapeutic_applications/links/59cf63284585150177eadb08/Cannabidiol-State-of-the-art-and-new-challenges-for-therapeutic-applications.pdf?origin=publication_detail#page19

Source for that study and link: Pisanti, Simona & Malfitano, Anna Maria & Ciaglia, Elena & Lamberti, Anna & Ranieri, Roberta & Cuomo, Gaia & Abate, Mario & Faggiana, Giorgio & Chiara Proto, Maria & Fiore, Donatella & Laezza, Chiara & Bifulco, Maurizio. (2017). Cannabidiol: State of the art and new challenges for therapeutic applications. Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.02.041.

Sources for article:

(1& 2) http://www.mit.edu/~thistle/v13/2/timber.html

(3 & 4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0032788/

(5) https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20171215/world-health-group-pots-cbd-has-health-benefits

(6 & 7) Progress in Lipid Research, P. Pacher, R. Mechoulam; 2011

(8) https://pharmorganics.co/#Rose

Other sources you may find helpful:

1. Adams IB, Martin BR: Cannabis: pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans. Addiction 91 (11): 1585-614, 1996. [PubMed]
2. Abrams DI: Integrating cannabis into clinical cancer care. Curr Oncol 23 (2): S8-S14, 2016. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
3. Doblin RE, Kleiman MA: Marijuana as antiemetic medicine: a survey of oncologists’ experiences and attitudes. J Clin Oncol 9 (7): 1314-9, 1991. [PubMed]
4. Sallan SE, Cronin C, Zelen M, et al.: Antiemetics in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer: a randomized comparison of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and prochlorperazine. N Engl J Med 302 (3): 135-8, 1980. 80077945. [PubMed]
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0032740/6. World Health Organization: Cannabidiol (CBD) Pre-Review Report, Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Thirty-ninth Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 6-10, 2017.7. Scott Chipman, Southern California chairman, Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana (CALM).8. Justin Strekal, political director, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).Governing: “State Marijuana Laws in 2017 Map.”9. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: “Nearly 100 Conclusions on the Health Effects of Marijuana and Cannabis-Derived Products Presented in New Report; One of the Most Comprehensive Studies of Recent Research on Health Effects of Recreational and Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products.

Contact Nancy@nancyaddison.com if you have any questions.

I am not making any health claims about this oil or product, but providing you with research and links, so you can read further on this subject and come up with your own conclusions.

For more information go to www.organichealthylife.com or find Nancy Addison’s award-winning books on Amazon. Click here for the link.

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 email, 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.

]]> https://organichealthylife.com/cbd-oil-hemp-oil/feed/ 4 https://organichealthylife.com/ways-to-address-stress-and-depression/ https://organichealthylife.com/ways-to-address-stress-and-depression/#respond Fri, 19 May 2017 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.organichealthylifestyle.com/50-ways-to-address-stress-and-depression/ Dealing with disappointments, stress, and depression can be a challenge. Leading health expert and radio show host, Nancy Addison discusses approaches to guide you in overcoming emotional life challenges and getting a better, more restful sleep.  Nancy discusses supplements to improve your hormone imbalances. Nancy also touches on how utilizing feng shui can promote calmness in your life.

Stress & Chronic Disease are very prevalent in today’s world. If not diminished, chronic stress can lead to major illness. Leading organic health expert and radio show host, Nancy Addison introduces natural approaches to relieving and reversing the effects of stress.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• Nancy discusses the various ways in which you can alleviate stress
• How to relieve and reverse the ill effects of prolonged stress
• Ways to program subconscious beliefs naturally.

Resources:

Nancy’s website: www.organichealthylife.com
Nancy’s books can be ordered on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ZYqUo1.

Depression is a big problem in today’s world. Radio show host and health expert – Nancy Addison talks about the many ways you can help naturally in dealing with depression and it’s debilitating symptoms. From hormones to supplements, Nancy talks about the various ways you can help someone you love who is battling depression or stress.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• What is depression?
• Symptoms of stress and depression
• Importance of hormones and supplements
• Ways you can help a loved one deal with depression

First: Before going to a cocktail party, I usually take one tsp. of raw, organic green food powder (I like “Perfect Food” powder by Garden of Life, spirulina powder, or chlorella powder), and 1 tsp. of organic psyllium husks, with a little water. I then drink another glass (16 ounces) of water immediately afterwards.

Doing this makes me feel a bit full and prevents me from showing up to a party hungry, which can lend itself to overeating.  This drink mixture  also contains a lot of fiber, which can be helpful if one overindulges in the liquid spirits at the party.

Second: When I am in a buffet line, or at a party where there is an amazing amount of food, I use an appetizer or salad plate instead of a dinner plate. People who do this, on average, eat 40 percent less! I try to choose cut up fresh veggies, hummus and other truly healthy foods. In addition, I try to avoid sugar.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, one teaspoon of added sugar shuts down a person’s immune system for up to five hours. (1) Since I am wanting to feel really great this season, boost my immune system, and avoid being sick, I keep this in mind while I am eyeing the beautiful deserts and goodies.

Third: If overindulgence in spirits is a problem, here are a few natural ways to help relieve a hangover:

Remedy #1: Combine 1 tsp. raw, unfiltered honey, 1/2 c. freshly squeezed orange juice, and ¼ c. kefir or yogurt. Consume. 
•   Remedy #2: Soak organic dates
(pitted) in water for a few hours or more. Drink the water and eat the dates.

Remedy #3: Eat a banana.

Remedy #4: If feeling nauseous, try cutting up a bit of fresh organic, ginger root (you can buy this in the fresh produce section of the grocery store) into little pieces, and steeping it in hot water for about 3 – 5 minutes to make a ginger tea. It is very effective for relieving nausea.

Four: Make sure to get enough rest. Everyone has experienced the fatigue, lack of focus, and short temperedness that can follow a poor night’s sleep. We don’t want to experience that during the holidays! But even beyond these side effects, research has linked poor sleep with higher risks of heart disease and stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, and depression.(2)

If you have trouble sleeping, try having a little chamomile tea or warm milk (hemp, coconut or from organic, humanely raised, and grass fed cows or goats) with 1 tiny bit of raw, unfiltered honey.
If you are under a lot of stress and need a little relief, valerian root can help with tension or anxiety. For thousands of years, the herb valerian has been used in Europe and Asia to aid with sleep or anxiety. For insomnia, it’s suggested you use between 400 milligrams to 500 milligrams of valerian root up to two hours before bed.

Also, as we get older, humans don’t produce as much melatonin, which is what helps us sleep. You can buy melatonin as a supplement at the store. It comes in different strengths (one to three milligrams). Dr. Gary Massad, who has researched melatonin and sleep problems in depth, states that studies show if you take half a milligram of melatonin around three or four in the afternoon and then another half gram again about an hour before bedtime, it will work most effectively.

Other hormone imbalances can also disrupt sleep patterns, so have your doctor check you for any hormone imbalance or vitamin deficiencies. I recommend only using a vitamin from a whole food source, and I do not recommend ever taking synthetic vitamins.

You might also listen to recorded sounds of rain or ocean waves to help with sleep, as they may relax your mind. Experiment to find out what works best for you.

Five: Most people are so busy doing everything for everyone else, that they aren’t making enough time to nurture and take care of themselves. Let’s face it, the better we take care of ourselves, the better we can take care of the ones we love.

Make sure you take some time each day to slow down, calm the mind, get a little exercise, and love yourself. If we don’t take a little time for ourselves, stress can get hold of us.

Try making an appointment with yourself each day to slow down, rest, exercise, and do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. Even consider marking it in your calendar or setting a daily timer to keep you on track. Try and keep that appointment like it is with your most important client or friend.
I have exercise down as an appointment, and although I reschedule once in a while, I don’t cancel it because it is a commitment to myself (even if that just means walking around the block briskly).

Six: If you’re feeling blue, pamper yourself and do what feels good. Try to take a walk, or spend time alone if that’s what you want. Remember, this is your holiday too and you can be there for yourself just like you try to be for everyone else.

I’ve spent many a holiday alone. Sometimes I have felt a little blue. When that happens, I intentionally will shift my focus to something new. Exercise has been shown to help with weight maintenance, health, stress relief and depression. So, make sure you keep it in your schedule. Or, I may turn on a funny movie, take a walk, turn on joyful music and call a friend to come over, or take a supplement called 5 HTP.
5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is an essential amino acid that can increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, similar to antidepressants.

Low levels of serotonin can contribute to the development of depression and increased appetite. I have found 5 HTP really helps me when I am feeling low. Studies show it begins working as quickly as 15 to 20 minutes after taking it. You can purchase it at a healthy grocery store.

Remember, the holidays only come once a year and only last for a short time. So many of us have an idealized idea of what the holidays should be like and can be disappointed when they don’t live up to those expectations.

Try to be realistic and remember, nobody has a perfect holiday or perfect family. If you follow these tips, you might just find this year to be healthier, less stressful and more joyful!

Please leave a comment and join the conversation!

Everyone would love to hear what you think!

Sources:
1- Albert Sanchez, J. L. Reeser, H. S. Lau, P. Y. Yahiku, R. E. Willard, P. J. McMillan, S. Y. Cho, A. R. Magie, and U. D. Register. “Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis.” The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc. 1973. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/26/11/1180.abstract.
2- NHS, Government of United Kingdom, Why lack of sleep is bad for your health 
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/tiredness-and-fatigue/Pages/lack-of-sleep-health-risks.aspx.

3- Find a Vitamin or Supplement, 5 – HTP,, Web MD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-794-5-HTP.aspx?activeIngredientId=794&activeIngredientName=5-HTP.
copyright@nancyaddison2015
I’d love to hear your comments.
For more information contact Nancy (at) nancyaddison.com

Today Nancy Addison talked  with Lisa Pineiro about natural ways to help with menopause symptoms on The Broadcast.

Natural Aids For Helping Deal

With Symptoms

As A Result Of Menopause

 Menopause is not a disease or illness; it is a natural event as a result of hormonal change as we age.

The following are general symptoms of menopause:

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes — flushing of face and chest; may be accompanied by heart palpitations, dizziness, headaches
• Night sweats
• Cold hands and feet
• Vaginal dryness
• Insomnia
• Mood changes — depression, irritability, tension (usually happens with sleep problems)
• Gain in abdominal fat
• depression

I did a segment on The Broadcast on KTXD-TV about menopause.

Here is the link to watch my  (Nancy Addison) segment about Menopause on The Broadcast.

Preventive Care

Eat a well-balanced diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet can help you reduce the risks and discomforts associated with menopause. A diet low in saturated animal fat can help reduce your risk of heart disease by providing the following benefits:

• Lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides (fats in the blood)
• Lower blood pressure
• Maintain a healthy weight

Soy- Avoid soy products. Some evidence suggests that eating soy-based foods such as tofu might help reduce certain symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. I don’t recommend them because eating soy can cause severe thyroid problems.

Get regular exercise– the benefits of exercise include:

• Keeping bones strong and warding off osteoporosis through weight bearing exercise, such as walking
• Reducing hot flashes
• Boosting mood
• Enhancing memory and concentration
• Lowering cholesterol

Nancy’s Favorite Helpful Supplements

• Make sure you have adequate amounts of Omega 3’s and Vitamin D

Text Nancy – 214-202-9243 to discuss your situation.

• Mood – 5 HTP and L Theanine
• Herbs – Black Cohosh, pycnogenol, red clover and Asian Ginseng- Make sure to  check with your doctor before taking herbs. They can interact with medical prescriptions.

Acupuncture

Homeopathic Remedies

• Lachesis — hot flashes, irritability
• Sepia — low energy, mood swings, vaginal dryness, irritability
• Pulsatilla — mood swings, insomnia
• Sulfur — hot flashes, irritability

New Technology Therapy by Lifewave!

Here is a video  with the inventor,
David Schmidt explaining the X39 Lifewave patch to medical practitioners how these patches work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W66vQ9IcZs0

It’s quite good with slides.

If you order, please use my Lifewave referral number #1439757 and I will help you wear them in the most effective way possible. Here is my  link for ordering.  https://lifewave.com/nancyaddison

Look what they can do.

Let me know if you need my help!

I wish you the best health ever!

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.