Aspartame- Apparently this stuff is worse for us than anyone really wants to think about. There aren't a lot of studies on the link between aspartame and depression, but the ones I have found all show that people with a tendency for depression/anxiety should avoid it at all costs. In fact, it's so bad that a study done by Dr. Walton was actually called off because the side effects in the depressed/aspartame group were so grave. He believed that aspartame blocked serotonin synthesis so all those feel good feelings that you normally get from serotonin aren't happening. It's rumored that Nutrasweet is actually the reason the reason the trial was shut down. There's not a lot of discussion about it, but I found in a few places that the findings from this (VERY SMALL) trial were significant enough that they didn't want this information to get out. There are also very few studies done on this and I read a lot of things saying that the processed food makers essentially run this country and if they were forced to admit they are feeding us poison, people might get upset. Ya think?!? And this stuff is in everything! Diet sodas, gum, cough syrup, cough drops, liquid medications...the list is huge!
B Vitamins- I am a big taker of B vitamins! The ones that dissolve under your tongue (B12 2500 mcg) are great and the highest dose you should take. I also take B6 once daily in a higher dosage (100 mg). They give you energy and are known for improving the pathways in your brain. B12 is ONLY found in animal products and mostly red meats, so if you're like me and don't really eat red meat the only way you're getting enough B12 is through supplements. B6 can be found in bananas and yogurt so you don't need a really high dose of it if you eat those items daily. The normal dose is actually around 25 mg and 100 mg is a much higher than needed dose, but it's known for treating symptoms of PMS and depression when taken in higher doses. I would probably talk to your doctor before using such a high dose though. My doctor knows and agrees with what I'm taking.
My last thing on B vitamins: the B complex vitamins are usually worthless. You want something with a high absorption rate and as few ingredients as possible. A lot of the B complexes have a lot of unnecessary ingredients and low absorption rates. Look around and find a good quality one. Do some research. Talk to your doctor! And if your doctor doesn't believe in natural medicine of any kind, FIND A NEW DOCTOR!
St. Johns Wort- This improves the serotonin production in your brain in a very similar to Prozac. In fact, you aren't supposed to take the 2 at the same time because your body can produce too much serotonin and that comes with some pretty ugly side effects like confusion and memory loss. So don't take them together. :)
Hypoglycemia Diet- This is essentially what I have been doing and I honestly feel better than I did on medication. On Saturday after eating just a really minor amount of "junk food" I was extremely ill. I was dizzy, light headed, nauseous, sad, nervous, and exhausted. It was horrible and I learned very quickly that my body just can't process that stuff! It's not real food! It is food that was made by man to look yummy, taste yummy, and make you crave more of the same crap! So, no more. I don't like feeling like that thankyouverymuch. I'm going to paste an article I found that talks about hypoglycemic diets and what is involved:
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- These hypoglycemia diets all recommend eating smaller but more frequent meals, with between meal snacks.
- All low blood sugar diets reduce intake of sugars of all kinds (including molasses and honey) and as important, simple, processed carbohydrates e.g most breads, cereals, potatoes, and rice. The reason for reducing these frequently eaten foods: the digestive system converts most processed carbohydrates rapidly into sugar. Thus, for hypoglycemia diets, whole wheat bread is just as bad as white bread.
- Reducing or eliminating caffeine is an effective aide to any hypoglycemia diet. (But taper off slowly since caffeine withdrawal symptoms can be fierce).
- Reducing alcohol is also important for low blood sugar diets (but taper off in steps if you drink a lot, since alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be very dangerous).
- Adding a small amount of protein or a modest amount of fat along with each carbohydrate serving helps most hypoglycemia diets. This slows the rate of food passing through the stomach.
With slower passage through the stomach, blood sugar increases less rapidly after eating. The less rapid rise in blood sugar, reduces the insulin response. Less insulin means that blood sugar falls more slowly. Blood sugar falling slowly, makes the destructive over-reaction of adrenalin and cortisol less necessary to prevent sugar from falling too low. With adrenalin and cortisol under control, hypoglycemia symptoms resolve.
- Olive oil is particularly effective for low blood sugar diets, because of its exceptionally high ability to slow the stomach down. A giant benefit, for relatively few calories.
Add one to three teaspoons of olive oil to each meal to strengthen your low blood sugar diet. Spread the olive oil on your food or take it straight from the teaspoon. Once the low blood sugar diets are working well, you can cut back on your olive oil dose.
Take your carbs almost all from colored fruits, vegetables, berries, and selected, coarse whole grains."
So, essentially it is a natural foods diet with proteins and complex carbs.
"The Hypoglycemic diet aims at normalizing blood sugar levels, thereby normalizing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, that are thought to be responsible for the symptoms of mood-swings, depression, anxiety, phobias, alcoholism and drug-addiction." Found at- http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/hypoglycemic_diet.html
So there you have it. Do with it what you will. I know that was a lot of information and if you're interested there is a whole world out there. You just have to use Google a little bit and do some research.
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