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Beat Depression
Naturally By Boosting Your Happy Hormones If you knew there was a shark swimming next to you
in the ocean, what would you do? Most people will hightail it out of the
water as fast as they can back to the shore. As a matter of fact no one
in their right mind is going to let a shark devour them alive! On the
same token we can let food be our medicine or we can let food devour us
alive. Which would you prefer? Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish, such
as tuna, mackerel and salmon, remarkably reduce symptoms of depression?
If you or someone you know suffers from depression, it would be a
great idea to eat more of these types of fish. Sardines, oysters and
flax seeds, are also high on the list of foods with substantial amounts
of omega-3 fatty acids. People who eat these foods three or more times a
week show significant improvement in anxiety, insomnia, sadness, and
suicidal thoughts. Depression is an indication that certain hormones
are out of kilter within the brain, specifically, beta-endorphins and
serotonin. When our bodies
lack adequate levels of seritonin and beta-endorphins, that balance out
our brain chemistry, we may feel hopeless, sad, depressed, touchy to
criticism, offended, crave sugar and alcohol and feel isolated and
lonely – all signs of depression. If you suddenly found out that the foods you have
been eating are causing an imbalance in your brain chemistry, what would
you do? Would you stop eating those foods? Refined foods are
insufficient in vitamins and minerals and are like drugs to the brain,
especially those people who suffer from depression, self esteem issues,
and sugar imbalances. The good news is you can be in control of your
health by boosting seritonin and beta-endorphin levels in your brain
through a healthy eating lifestyle. Whole grains, beans and legumes, vegetables and
fruits should be incorporated into everyone’s diet if they want to
live a healthy and long life. If it is processed and denatured, don’t
eat it. It’s really that simple. Let’s take a look at some foods
that can actually boost hormone levels in the brain. Foods
And Supplements That Boost Happy Hormones
Vitamin
B6
Vitamin
B6 is found in spinach, turnip greens, garlic, cauliflower, mustard
greens, celery, fish, such as tuna, salmon, cod and red snapper. Also chicken and turkey and lean
beef tenderloin. Spinach should be eaten raw or either
lightly steamed. Remember with any vegetable it is always best to keep
it in its natural state as much as possible. Magnesium Magnesium
levels tend to be lower in people who suffer from depressed moods.
Magnesium supplements and foods with magnesium should be incorporated
into the daily diet of those who suffer with sadness, anxiety and
depressed thoughts. Foods high in magnesium are, halibut, tuna, bananas,
dried figs, barley, buckwheat, oat bran, wheat flour, prune juice,
almonds, Brazil nuts, black beans, lima beans, broccoli and cornmeal. Whole
Grains and Seeds Whole
grains that are especially good are amaranth, buckwheat, millet, brown
rice, whole grain breads and cereals. Nuts and seeds are also great
foods that will boost happiness levels. Walnuts are especially good for
boosting serotonin. These are healthy, high-protein carbohydrates, which
are critical for increasing serotonin. Fermented
Foods Fermented foods and liquids
greatly assist in digestion and assimilation of all the important
nutrients you need for serotonin. Additionally, they boost the nutrients
in your food by at least a hundred fold. Fermented foods manufacture
essential B vitamins that help with boosting your mood.
Sauerkraut is an excellent source of fermented food. In addition,
an excellent fermented drink is Dong Quai, which is great for energy and mood
and it decreases cravings for sugar. Herbs The herbal supplements St
Johns Wart and Gingko Biloba are excellent natural sources
for treating depression and giving the body a boost of energy at the
same time. We should never fail to recognize the importance of herbal
supplementation in healing certain health conditions with. Herbs work
and should be used in conjunction with other helpful natural treatments.
Red
Raspberry Tea Red raspberry tea is especially
good for depression and bouts of the blues. This all natural tea
balances out the hormones, giving a soothing and calming affect on the
body and mind. Herbal teas are good for you and should be a regular part
of your diet. Exercise Exercise
boosts serotonin level in the brain. Even
gentle exercise like walking can boost your immunity and mood. Walking
is one of the best activities that virtually anyone can partake in. Walk
for life. Foods
That Trigger Depression Refined
sugar If you
suffer from low moods, you may have intense cravings for sugar. This is
your body's way of trying to increase serotonin because eating sugar
produces insulin, which gives you a
temporary feeling of elation. But too
much sugar overtime can eventually cause addiction to sugar, insulin resistance, hypoglycemia and
alcoholism. Alcohol If you
are trying to overcome depression you should not drink alcohol or take
medications that contain alcohol. Alcohol works against the body,
causing havoc within our emotions, which only exacerbate symptoms of
depression. Antidepressants Antidepressants and pain medications are intended to mask the symptoms of depression and throw the bodies hormone system out of whack. The most important thing you can do for your health is to get to the origin of why you are depressed in the first place, so you can stop taking damaging medications. If you want to heal depression the natural way, the first place to start is in your daily diet. Are you going to let food devour you or will you let food make you well. Having good health in body, mind, and soul is a lifestyle choice. Don’t let depression, mood swings, anxiety, or low self worth keep you from enjoying life to its fullest. You can overcome depression and boost your happy hormones with food. |