Expert: Imran R. - 9/29/2006

Question
Hi

I have a friend who is on prescription drugs for her depression.  One of the side effects of these drugs is weight gain.

Is there any remedies that she could use to counter act these side effects.

What do you advise.

Answer
Dear C.Jenkins,

Thanks for your letter.

Prescriptions are not needed to alleviate depression. Simple supplements and diet change will alleviate it for good.

Ask your friend to get on to taking the super-food found here:

www.tryfrutavida.com/main  

www.frutavidastories.com  

Taking 2 ounces per day will help to alleviate the depression by providing a good source of nutrition. This product should also normalize her hormonal levels and metabolism and therefore weight loss will be the result.

Please ask her to also take cod liver oil, making sure it is labelled 'certified dioxin free' on the bottle.

Taking cold liver oil will provide omega-3 and vitamin D.

Daily adequate sunshine will also help. It is important not to use regular sun screen as it reacts with UV-A rays and causes skin cancer in the long run. Only natural sunscreens are recommended.

Between this, and getting exercise, her depression will be eliminated and the weight should normalize.

Dietary Recommendations:

Cut out all soy products except fermented soy.
Miso, tempeh and soy-sauce are healthy. [fermented]

Soy contains goitrogens which depress thyroid function. It also contains phytic acid which hinders the bodies' ability to absorb proteins, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. In general it is an enzyme inhibitor.

Make sure to avoid all artificial sweeteners:
splenda, sucralose, aspartame, nutra-sweet, equal, acesulfame potassium.

Splenda/sucralose have become very popular these days and are just as bad, if not worse than aspartame. These sweeteners are all very toxic and are found in store bought vitamins, protein powders, anything sugar-free, gum, chocolate, soda... etc.

Please read labels carefully and cut out all artificial sweeteners. This is very important.

Both soy and artificial sweeteners weaken the immune system. And the immune system is one of the keys to healing illness. Therefore the more we can support immune related health the better.

Cut out all margarine and hydrogenated fats. Cut out canola, rapeseed and soybean oils. These are very unhealthy. Replace with butter, ghee, unrefined coconut oil, sesame oil, and virgin olive oil.  

7 glasses of water per day is a good idea to help flush out toxins from the body. Warm or room temperature water, never cold. Never drink tap water. It must be filtered.

Avoid drinking distilled water. It leads to mineral depletion and hair loss.

With best wishes,

Imran.