I used to work with a woman who had the absolute most unhealthy lifestyle I’ve ever seen, was repeatedly sick, and never made the connection between the two!
This lady drank heavily, smoked (both cigarettes and pot), never exercised and ate whatever she wanted—to the point where she was considerably overweight.
Whenever she would get a health challenge, off she would go to get medicated.
When she would get bronchitis or a sinus infection (which seemed like every other week), she’d rush to the doctor for antibiotics.
If she got a headache (which was also frequently), out would come the NSAIDs or sometimes prescription painkillers.
Trouble sleeping? Tranquilizers were her answer.
And then the big one hit—Depression.
So what did she do?
She continued to smoke her cigarettes and pot, drink heavily and eat like crap.
Oh, but she took her Prozac every day…and was still an emotional wreck.
Do you see anything wrong with this picture, my friend?
I hope you say yes.
Here’s why I say that:
Diet—the culprit behind many cases of depression
Although lifestyle choices like drug and alcohol use and lack of exercise have a HUGE impact on your state of health, far and away the number one factor that determines whether you are sick or not, overweight or not, or whether you even woke up this morning is your DIET.
When your diet is lacking in essential nutrients, it’s not a matter of if but merely when will you begin to suffer.
Not only is this true with respect to your physical health, but your mental health as well!
You see, the typical diet most people have (lots of processed/packaged foods, fast food and refined carbohydrates) is severely deficient in many nutrients—and that can most assuredly lead to depression!
History has certainly helped to prove this food-mood connection. Over the last 50 years or so, our reliance on packaged and fast foods has increased dramatically… and so have reported cases of depression.
That’s no coincidence.
And it matters not how many happy pills you pop. Because they do NOTHING to correct an underlying nutritional deficiency…so like my former co-worker above, you can be spinning your wheels, likely not feeling any better and stand a great chance of suffering serious side effects to boot!
Side effects of antidepressants can include suicidal ideation, GI bleeding, sexual dysfunction and heart disease, and in some cases, they can actually make depression WORSE and lead to violent behavior!
Plus having a poor diet creates lots of acid wastes, which not only makes it harder for your body to absorb whatever (few) nutrients you are taking in, but can also affect your thyroid gland functioning–which can also bring on depression!
Food—the real antidepressant
The great news is that while food can be an underlying cause of depression, it can also be your safe, natural antidepressant!
Here are eight superstar nutrients (and food sources of each) that can make YOU feel a whole lot cheerier…and likely improve your physical health too!
1. Tryptophan
The neurotransmitter serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan—which is an amino acid (building block of protein). In healthy amounts, serotonin can brighten your mood, make you feel calm and able to handle stress and encourages restful sleep.
Serotonin is also found in the walls of your intestines (that’s one reason why depression and GI tract problems often go hand in hand!) and in platelet cells that promote blood clotting. Low serotonin levels lead to insomnia, depression and even aggressive behavior…so it’s crucial to make sure you’re getting enough tryptophan so your body can make enough serotonin!
Food sources of tryptophan include shrimp, chicken, turkey, crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, spinach, salmon, lamb, beef and tofu.
2. Folic acid
Folic acid also supports proper serotonin levels, and a deficiency in it can be an underlying factor behind depression as well as insomnia, muscle fatigue and mental confusion.
Dietary sources of folic acid include romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, lentils and asparagus.
3. Iron
Iron enhances oxygen distribution in your body, is crucial for proper immune system function and helps your body produce energy…and lacking it can have serious mental and physical consequences.
Low levels of iron can lead to depression as well as fatigue, decreased ability to concentrate, headaches, dizziness and an increased susceptibility to infections and viruses.
Food sources of iron include spinach, Swiss chard, green beans, romaine lettuce, shrimp, basil, lentils, venison, asparagus and kidney beans.
4. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a major player in your body’s production of red blood cells, it’s involved in the Krebs cycle which helps your body create energy from proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and it’s essential for proper nerve function.
Low levels of B12 can lead to low energy, memory problems, poor sleep, mental fog and depression. B12 is found in calf’s liver, sardines, venison, shrimp, scallops, salmon beef, lamb, yogurt, milk and eggs.
Now, B12 can be tricky because it’s not always easily absorbed through the digestive tract—so even if you’re getting dietary sources, you still may be deficient. A doctor can do a simple test to see if your levels are low, and if diet isn’t enough, then supplementing with B12 can be a tremendous help.
And for a quality B12 supplement, look no farther than Hydroxaden 2.5.
Hydroxaden 2.5 is a convenient vitamin B12 spray that gives you a daily dose of one the most powerful forms of vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin).
Just five sprays under your tongue give you a full 2.5 mg. of B12 (that quickly gets into your blood stream) to boost your energy, help sharpen your mind, enhance your immune system and…fight depression!
5. Magnesium
Magnesium is clearly a “mega-mineral” to your body! It plays over 300 important roles in maintaining your health including building strong bones, keeping your circulation smooth, relaxing your nerves and muscles and helping your body produce serotonin.
A deficiency in magnesium can cause muscle weakness, elevated blood pressure, headaches and naturally (because of low serotonin levels) depression.
Dietary sources of magnesium include Swiss chard, spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, cashews, almonds, salmon, black beans, basil and collard greens.
6. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 also helps with your body’s production of neurotransmitters including serotonin. It also supports overall nervous system health and promotes a proper breakdown of sugars and starches in your body. In addition to depression, B6 deficiency can also contribute to fatigue, anemia and skin disorders including eczema.
Food sources of B6 are spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, bananas, Brussels sprouts, cod, crimini mushrooms, cauliflower, garlic, asparagus and cabbage.
7. Zinc
Zinc is another “mega mineral” in terms of how it helps maintain your health. Zinc helps balance your blood sugar, it stabilizes your metabolic rate, it enhances your immune system functioning and helps maintain gut wall health.
Low levels of zinc can lead to frequent colds and infections, lack of appetite, impaired sense of taste or smell and depression. You can find zinc in a variety of foods including spinach, crimini mushrooms, shrimp, lamb, beef, asparagus, summer squash, yogurt and broccoli.
And the Granddaddy of them all…
8. Omega-3 essential fatty acids
The Omega-3 essential fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are critical for brain health and proper brain function. Your brain’s neurons (the cells that transmit messages) are extremely rich in these Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA.
On the other hand, deficiencies in these EFAs have been linked to schizophrenia, decreased memory and depression. The best food sources of Omega-3 EFAs are salmon, scallops, sardines, shrimp, cod, flaxseeds and walnuts.
Unfortunately, many people aren’t seafood fans and therefore aren’t getting nearly enough of this crucial nutrient in their diets. That’s why daily supplementation with a quality Omega-3 fish oil formula can be so helpful to so many people.
Fish oil supplementation can help maximize your brain’s functioning, help protect against dementia in your older years and help fight depression.
VitalMega-3 fish oil supplements are the perfect answer to this very important concern.
VitalMega-3 provides an impressive 1,200 mg of Omega-3s in each daily two-capsule serving, including 600 mg. of the EPA and 400 mg. of DHA that is so highly recommended by health experts.
Get ‘em and keep ‘em!
In addition to getting dietary sources of essential nutrients, it’s also important to make sure you’re actually absorbing those nutrients.
And that is a reflection of how efficient your digestion is. The great news is you can help make sure your digestion is what it needs to be—all it takes is making your meals a little easier for your body to break down in the first place!
That’s is precisely what you will learn in the Great Taste No Pain system. Great Taste No Pain is not a diet–it’s an eating lifestyle that helps you attain a good acid/alkaline balance and strong, efficient digestion.
There are just a few simple principles to remember, and I explain it all in a very straight-forward manner.
And if gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease are an issue for you, Great Taste No Gluten is for you instead.
You’ll get the same meal guidance as in Great Taste No Pain, plus a collection of manuals that will help you recognize the many places where gluten can hide and how to keep it out of your life.
Put the power of food to work for you as a natural antidepressant, and I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much better YOU can feel, both mentally and physically!
And when you see the difference, please write to me and tell me how you’re feeling. I’d love to hear from you.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
