Research shows that nutrition is much better at improving mental health than prescription medication. We need to get serious about the critical role played by nutrition. Nutrition matters!
Why? Because poor nutrition is a significant risk factor for the development of mental illness. Current prescriptions are only effective on a short-term basis. For long-term support, medication may be ineffective and could be detrimental to your body. Now, micronutrients are found to be effective on those suffering from ADHD, depression and bipolar disorder. Not only are the micronutrients more effective, but they are much less expensive than prescription meds on the market today. Overall, nutrition is a safe and viable way to avoid (and treat or lessen) mental illness.
Science agrees that food can be a powerful tool for people dealing with depression and anxiety.
Changing your nutrition can be a great addition to traditional therapy at a much smaller cost and can be a great way to self-care.
Reducing your sugar intake is absolutely key!
There is a connection between food and mental health. We believe the vitamins in the body help the function of enzymes that enable reactions such as synthesis of serotonin which plays an essential role in our happiness.
Too much sugar has been found to decrease a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is involved in the development of depression and anxiety.
There is evidence that suggests that our gut plays an important role in mental health~
So, the microorganisms in our gut can communicate with the brain and several systems that could play a role in depression and anxiety and the composition of the guy microbiota is influenced by nutrition. It can be a crap shoot when treating depression with medication and more often than not much of the good comes from a non-medication intervention that includes diet, exercise, breath work, mindfulness training and community to share with.
Taking control of your diet and beginning to live a healthier life can be an antidepressant on its own. Diet is a great way of active self-care and self-love. A key in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is often used to treat anxiety and depression. I believe seeing oneself as worthy of self-care and therefore worthy of being fed with nutritious food is a positive step forward. Why are certain foods mood boosting? It’s in the science …
- Some enzymes found in food boost serotonin levels
- Sugar is associated with depression and anxiety
- Emerging science shows gut health plays a role in anxiety.
- Eating healthy food is a great way to practice self-care, important in CBT
- Taking active steps to eat a nutritious diet can increase motivation.
HERBOLOGY:
Herbal therapy is important in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for centuries in China, where herbs are considered a fundamental therapy for many acute and chronic conditions. Like acupuncture, Chinese herbs can address unhealthy body patterns that manifest in a variety of symptoms and complaints. The aims of Chinese herbal therapy are to help you regain balance in your body and to strengthen your body’s resistance to disease.
Chinese herbs may be used to:
- Decrease cold/flu symptoms
- Increase your energy
- Improve your breathing
- Improve digestion
- Improve your sleep
- Decrease pain
- Improve menopausal symptoms
- Help regulate menstrual cycles (if infertility is an issue)
Chinese herbal therapy can also be valuable following cancer treatment to aid the body’s recovery from the after-effects of chemotherapy and/or radiation. Chinese herbs are also useful in the rehabilitation of many chronic diseases. Chinese herbal therapy may be recommended when you have multiple symptoms or symptoms that are hard to pinpoint, or if you have exhausted traditional medical options and nothing seems to help. It can also be used when you need therapy to counteract the side effects of prescription medications. Last (but not least), it’s highly beneficial as preventive medicine!