Immunity Busters: Eating for Th irteen Health Conditions
83 •
run a hormone panel (blood test). Are you hypoglycemic? Chronic low blood sugar levels can trigger the blues. Go from three squares a day to six small, well-balanced minimeals to keep the brain nourished in a time-released fashion.
Allergies Are Triggers Eliminating foods that you are allergic or sensitive to can improve mood. Wheat and dairy products are especially problematic. Eliminating sugar and artificial sweeteners can help (switch to healthier substitutes such as stevia and Xylitol). If you’re bending an elbow, do it with dumbbells, not cocktails. Alcohol depletes the brain of mood-stabilizing omega-3 fatty acids (as well as interferes with the absorption of nutrients in general). Remember, the brain has a higher metabolic rate than the muscles and a greater need for nutrients. One nutrient that is poorly absorbed and in short supply in the American diet is magnesium. Upping your intake can take you from sulky to smiley. Snack on almonds, enjoy spinach pie, have oatmeal for breakfast, and eat potatoes for lunch; nonvegetarians can add halibut, a good source of magnesium. High levels of homocysteine in the blood can produce depressive symptoms, too. Bring the levels down with doses of vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid. Oral contraceptives, which deplete vitamin B6 and the amino tyrosine needed for cerebral stability, also can produce depressive symptoms.
The SAD-Sad Connection What if you’re sad because of SAD? There are plenty of natural ways to beat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Try the homeopathic remedies sepia, aurum metallicum, or phosphorus. Or consider Ayurvedic self-massage called Sarvabhyanga, which uses vigorous upward strokes from the feet to the head to rebalance energy and mood. Also, try getting up early and taking a walk in the early morning light for 30 minutes, or get yourself a light box to make up for the missing sunlight, essential for vitamin D production.