Expert: Tonja Wells - 6/13/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have been on an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant for at least ten years. I am beginning to become afraid of them, because the side effects of discontinuing them are great, almost as if they were addictive. I am being treated for major depression. I am 55 years old. I wonder about changing from SNRIs to SAM-e or St. John's wort which would be safer. I wonder if these would be as effective. Also wonder how to safely make the transition from Rx drugs to a natural supplement without adverse reactions. I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but there is no one available to help. I see a psychiatrist for my medication and they aren't going to advocate using natural supplements. Even limited advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

ANSWER: When switching from one to another it is optimal to work with someone. I would NOT suggest doing this on your own. Find someone who can work with you. Their are many issues to address with the body when you do this. This should NOT be done on your own.
I start with Chinese Mood Elevator which can be used while switching. I also consider any thyroid issues and feed the thyroid. I also use Probioitc 11 which cleanse off the seratonin receptor sites. Depending on the person will depend on which choices is best for your. 5HTP may even be a good choice. It really depends on your blood type.
Depression




SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
A change in appetite or weight

Inability to sleep, disturbed or excessive sleep

Restlessness or feeling "slowed down

Extreme fatigue or lack of energy

Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions

Feelings of guilt or worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness or pessimism

Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood, feeling blue

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex

Restlessness, irritability or excessive crying

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain

Dark circles under eyes




Take the time to nourish your adrenals

As we head into winter, many of us are staying indoors more often to stay out of the cold. With shorter daylight hours, our bodies tend to feel the lack of sunlight. Use full spectrum light bulbs for depression

A shortage of sunlight contribute to seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D3

Winter Season is the time to stop! Literally stopbeing so busy! Find time to rest…to be quiet…to be still.

For example in the hot summer months we are enthusiastically energetic and playful.

The fall beginsas an active season too but we soon begin to turn inward, becoming more intuitive. A desire begins to build within us as the weather turns colder and colder to go inside, store up food, build fires and ready ourselves for the darker winter months.

Then winter follows. Winter is the time of the Water element, which has to do with flexibility, adaptability and flow.

Flexibility and flow are often directly in conflict with rushing through our “to do” lists, making sure we have everything “under control for Christmas”

WINTER TELLS US TO TAKE TIME TO REST...TO REFLECT…TO RECHARGE…TO NOURISH OURSELVES.

If we go against Nature, we slowly but consistently deplete our life force.

The winter season is the season to focus on healing your kidneys, your bladder and your adrenal glands.(And both your brain and your bones will improve in quality as you do) It is well understood in Chinese medicine, that as these organs become weaker we become fearful and depressed.

1. Start by first focusing on your adrenals

Why? Because your adrenals(along with , your thyroid) are the most important “creators of energy” for your body. Winter is naturally a time when our energy is low because our adrenals need to rest and revitalize.







FOOD WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO DEPRESSION

Sugar and artificial sweeteners – sugar and its derivatives like fructose and high fructose corn syrup, along with artificial sweeteners like Splenda and NutraSweet, are addictive, create an ongoing battle of blood sugar ups and downs and contribute to depression.

Carbohydrates – like sugar, consuming too many carbohydrate rich foods (especially simple carbs, like pastries, bread and donuts) can lower production of endorphins in your brain. This can lead to mild or severe depression.

Coffee and caffeine – coffee and caffeine (especially if there is an addiction to these substances) contribute to gastritis and depression.

Gluten – Celiac disease and gluten sensitivityhave been shown to contribute to depression and neurological problems.

Dairy – dairy is a common allergen. Allergies and sensitivities to the major protein in animal dairy foods (casein) create subtle symptoms (like depression), that you may not trace to cheese, ice cream and milk.

MSG and chemical additives– monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive used as a “flavor enhancer,” and is actually quite toxic. Depression is one of the adverse symptoms that MSG causes.

Your body has to work hard to rid itself of toxins from the environment, water, air, beauty products and foods. If you eat foods with chemical additives (like coloring agents, preservatives, stabilizers, thickeners and flavoring agents), your body’s detoxification pathways can become clogged.Your body’s energy and important nutrients are therefore “used up” and no longer exist to fight illness or depression.

Instead, focus on these foods to help to boost your moods naturally:

Food which help with depression




Ultimate Green Zone

Fermented foods and drinks fermented foods and drinksare bar none your best bet for balancing your inner ecosystem and lifting your depression. In fact the word kefir means “feel good” in Turkish. The probioicshelp to make minerals.

Adaptogens – adaptogens, like maca,and ashwaganda, help your body deal with stress. PROLONGED STRESS EQUALS DEPRESSION!

Adaptogens are wonderful for restoring a calm mind and body. Holy Basil, 5-HTP, GABA and the amino acid tryptophan are useful for helping us relax and handle the stress we cannot control more effectively.

Sea Vegetables– full of minerals to nourish your adrenals, sea vegetables are key to boosting your health AND your mood! They should be eaten every day during the winter along with a dark, green leafy vegetable like kale or collards. Kelp, TSII, Thyroid Support

Sprouted Grains– full of many nutrients including proteins, minerals and B vitamins, they should be eaten at the evening meal. They help your body produce serotonin (the happiness hormone) that converts to melatonin so that you sleep better at night. Complex Carbs boost serotonin levels.

Safe, natural sweeteners- like Steviaand Xylitol

Organic eggs, fishand meat– are full of B vitamins (especially B12) and amino acids to balance your blood sugar and mood. Since most people have trouble digesting animal protein, just make sure you can digest it. Do not overcook animal proteins. They are easier to digest when they are eaten rare…or even raw…like sashimi.

B vitaminsaid in mood management. Folic acid is the B vitamin for mood management. One-third of people who suffer from depression have been found to have low levels of folic acid in their blood.

Brewer's yeast

Spinach

Asparagus

Turnip greens

Lima beans

Beef liver

Black-eyed peas

Broccoli

Beets

Sunflower seeds

Kidney beans

Dandelion greens

Cantaloupe

Bean sprouts

Pinto beans

Parsley

Navy beans

Wheat germ

Tofu

Grapefruit ju

ice





Complex Carbohydrates play role in the production of serotonin and lack of good carbohydrates can lead to changes in your mood.

Spinach

Whole Barley

Grapefruit

Turnip Greens

Buckwheat

Apples

Lettuce

Buckwheat bread

Prunes

Water Cress

Oat bran bread

Dried apricots

Zucchini

Oatmeal

Pears

Asparagus

Oat bran cereal

Plums

Artichokes

Museli

Strawberries

Okra

Wild rice

Oranges

Cabbage

Brown rice

Yams

Celery

Multi-grain bread

Carrots

Cucumbers

Pinto beans

Potatoes

Dill Pickles

Low fat yogurt

Soybeans

Radishes

Skim milk

Lentils

Broccoli

Navy beans

Garbanzo beans

Brussels

Sprouts

Cauliflower

Kidney beans

Eggplant

Soy milk

Lentils

Onions

Whole meal bread

Split peas





Salmon and mackerel are a great choice, because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids also help prevent stroke and heart disease and may help in the prevention of some cancers. Salmon also contains selenium, which is an essential antioxidant mineral. You should eat wild salmon, given that it contains more omegas than farmed, or Atlantic, salmon. Studies have found that societies that eat lots of fish have lower depression rates, possibly due to omega-3 fatty acids. Healthy unrefined organic fats and oils. Super Omega 3





Dark green vegetables such as spinach and peas are high in folate. It is a substance that has a key role in the production of serotonin. Eat fresh vegetables, because canned versions usually have lower nutritional value. Legumesare also rich in folate. B9

Chicken and turkey are both rich in vitamin B6, which also has an important role in serotonin production.

Foods high in B1,which is essential for energy production, nerve cell function and carbohydrate metabolism. Good sources include soybeans, brown rice, sunflower seeds, whole wheat and Brewer's yeast.

Foods high in B6,which is important in maintaining hormone balance, immune function and is involved in the formation and use of neurotransmitters. Good sources include Brewer's yeast, whole grains, legumes, bananas, seeds, nuts, potatoes, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower.

Foods high in folate and B12. A deficiency of folate and B12 tends to decrease SAM-e levels, which are associated with depression. Good sources include Brewer's yeast, green leafy vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Supplementation with folate and B12 can also increase serotonin levels. SO LOTS OF B COMPLEX CAPSULES

Foods high in vitamin C, which increase immune functions and are important to the production of neurotransmitter production. Good sources include kale, parsley, collard greens, turnips, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red chili peppers, mustard greens and fresh fruits including kiwi, strawberries and citrus of all kinds.

Foods high in amino acids. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin. Tyrosine is a precursor to norepinephrine and may stimulate thyroid hormone synthesis. Good sources include eggs, low-fat dairy and meats. Choose organic and minimally-processed foods when possible.









~~~~~~~~~

The health of the liver can determine your EMOTIONAL health.

Cherokee medicine says it is the seat of healing

In Chinese medicine it is the home of the wood element, which is the element of life.

The Chinese also believe it to be the ruler of the blood.

We use blood purifiers in America to aid the liver, which shows the relationship between the liver and the blood. We consider the liver the seat of our emotions and associate anger with the liver.







Working with the liver

When a person is irritable and defensive this can be a sign of a stressed or overtaxed liver.

Weakness of the liver can manifest as discouragement and depression.

The first decision in working with the liver is to see if it is overactive, hot or stressed versus underactive, cold or weakened.

The easiest way to determine this is to look at the personality and basic physical appearances.




The person is overactive if they tend toward
More robust

Reddish skin color

Physically warm to the touch

Tends toward irritability, anger & defensiveness




The person is underactive if they tend toward

Paler skin tones

Cooler in body temperate

More laid back

Get discouraged or depressed more easily than they will get angry.




These distinctions are important because if you cleanse an underactive liver you will drive the person into a more pale, depressed and deficient state.




Trying to tonify the liver on someone with a hot constitution is even worse. It will drive heat in their system, moving them more towards flushing of the face, irritability and insomnia.

UNDERACTIE – COLD – WEAKENED
Fatigue or malaise – feels yucky

Discouragement, chronic depression

Hormone imbalance

Body odor

SLUGGISH LIVER- Chronic liver weakness
Groggy feeling

Malaise – apathy, feels bad

Discouragement, despair, apathy, chronic depression

Inability to get angry

Hormone imbalance - PMS

Body and foot odor – due to toxins coming through skin (Zinc)

Pale and cold

Chronic skin problems

Hypoglycemia –

Doctors tell them it is all in their head – hypochondriac.

16. Feeling of tenderness under right rib cage due to liver congestion

17. Bloated and stuffy feeling under the right rib cage


Avoid over cleansing in cases of liver weakness, especially when there is serious depression, anemia or fatigue.

CHINESE MOOD ELEVATOR - – Anti-depression
Lifts energy or sagging chi

Builds and strengthens liver function and digestive track

Sadness

Can correct polarity

Depression

Helps with prolapsed colon or other sagging organs




*Never take a person off prescription medications for depression.

Leave this up to the individual and his or her doctor.

SSRI’s are OK with Chinese Mood Elevator

Never stop taking SSRI all at once. It will cause a rebound effect.







5-HTP

Precursor to L-tryptophan so it ups serotonin levels

Do not use if on antidepressants

Food cravings

Weight loss

Great for O blood types




5HTP – do not take with SSRI as it directly increases serotonin levels in the brain. It can almost be looked at as a substitute. You will get to much serration and this is as bad as too little.

There is an amino acid called L-tryptophan which is enzymatically converted in the brain to 5HTP and that is converted to serotonin.

5HTP is the direct precursor to serotonin. The body produces serotonin with it. It is almost effective as any drug.







ST. JOHNS WORT
Widely used in Germany.

Bring light into the body – the leaves have pinpoint holes to allow the sun in. Get 15 minutes of morning and evening sun

For mild depression

Relaxant

Mild nervine

Helps with monoamine oxidace inhibitors. Which is the enzyme that breaks down serotonin.Helps serotonin not be broken down so it will stay longer in the brain




Sam-EThose who have issues of depression will often find that tissue levels of SAM-e are often low.




Pink Grapefruit, & Bergamot EO are good for depression.

Distress remedy can be used along with oils.

Do not use Lavender when someone has chronic depressed




MY TOP PICS

CHINESE MOOD ELEVATOR

PROBIOITCS

B COMPLEX

THYROID SUPPORT

Super Omega 3
I do offer phone consults.


To schedule an appointment you can reach Tonja at 817-485-7239.Initial consultations are $45 which includes a Bio-Scan and a follow-up visit.
Health Consultation + Blood Work Analysis $189.
To schedule a follow-up with a Bio-Scan please call or e-mail me at Tonja@YourHerbalHealthSolutions.com

If you wish to unsubscribe please click on the "Unsubscribe" link.


This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have any health problems consult a health practitioner before embarking on any course of treatment



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: AMAZING good answers, THANKS! Now, what would I look for in a store for "Chinese Mood elevators"? And, what supplements best support the adrenals? I've heard of this before, but don't want to be taken in by ads or hype.
Thanks again.

Answer
You can go to my website at www.yourherbalhealthsolutions.com to order. This way you will not pay retail. If you order thought me I can help you.
It is called
Chinese Mood Elevator - get the 100 count
For adrenals order Adrenal Support
For the colon order Probiotic 11
Order Super Omega 3
You can see all these listed toward the bottom of the e-mail.
Also if the thyroid is needing nourishment you will want to order something for that as well.
You can also call800-453-1422.
Give them my member number #425230 and order that way.
If you choose to be a member, which is free with $40 you can order on your own number and never pay retail at the health food store.
If you order through me and need stock numbers do let me know.



To schedule an appointment you can reach Tonja at 817-485-7239.Initial consultations are $45 which includes a Bio-Scan and a follow-up visit.
Health Consultation + Blood Work Analysis $189.
To schedule a follow-up with a Bio-Scan please call or e-mail me at Tonja@YourHerbalHealthSolutions.com

If you wish to unsubscribe please click on the "Unsubscribe" link.


This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have any health problems consult a health practitioner before embarking on any course of treatment