Posts Tagged ‘Depression’

Best of NAC for Mental Health

February 17, 2011 Written by JP

A common theme found in naturopathic medicine is that a substance used for one purpose often ends up benefiting other seemingly unrelated conditions. When this occurs, scientists generally scramble to determine how in the world such a turn of events is even possible. There’s certainly a great deal of value in identifying the underlying mechanisms by which a “medicine” works. But if the body is viewed as a whole, rather than in isolated parts, then the concept of broad spectrum healing tends to make more sense. One example is a rather obscure supplement that reduces the ill effects of oxidants in the body while also promoting a healthier environment in the brain.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements | 5 Comments & Updates

Best of Music Therapy

February 10, 2011 Written by JP

Just because something seems simple doesn’t necessarily make it so. This is a stumbling block that I often see conventional scientists run into when discussing alternative or complementary therapies. How can everyday food possibly be as effective as a medication that’s taken millions of dollars and countless MDs and PhDs to create? Laughter is an enjoyable activity, but it can’t possibly improve cardiovascular health or survival in cancer patients. The very notion that supposedly un-serious activities such as artistic expression, listening to music or practicing generosity and kindness can alter one’s physiology is a difficult pill to swallow for many allopathically minded researchers.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Mental Health, Women's Health | 16 Comments & Updates

Best of Fishy Medicine

February 9, 2011 Written by JP

The way you perceive things can dramatically influence the results you find. I think many people accept this concept as true to some extent. But how many of us actually keep this philosophy in mind when applying it in practical terms? For example – when psychiatrists throughout the world prescribe a medication for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or clinical depression, most patients are inclined to believe that it will relieve their symptoms. However, would the same mindset hold true if a physician “prescribed” eating more fish or supplementing with fish oil for the same conditions? Setting aside the relative efficacy of the respective treatments, it’s important to understand that the way you think about any given therapy is likely to affect the outcome – for better or for worse.
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Posted in Children's Health, Detoxification, Mental Health | 5 Comments & Updates

Best Of Exercise for Pain Relief

February 7, 2011 Written by JP

The last thing anyone wants to do when in pain is exercise. Certain injuries require allowing the body time to recover. However, mental and physical discomfort shouldn’t always be used as an excuse to slow down. In fact, many times, the desire for bed rest may actually be counterproductive. This certainly appears to be the case with some very common, inflammatory conditions that affect both the body and the mind.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Bone and Joint Health, Exercise | 11 Comments & Updates

Vitamin B12 News

January 26, 2011 Written by JP

In years past, nutritionally oriented physicians would often administer Vitamin B12 injections to patients with fatigue of unknown origin. There were spoken and unspoken justifications for doing so. The official use of intramuscular B12 was to address an underlying deficiency which could manifest itself as a number of symptoms associated with poor vitality: cognitive impairment, lack of energy, mood changes and sensory disturbances. The unofficial reason for providing B12 during office visits is that it serves as an excellent placebo. For one thing, it’s a rather dramatic procedure. Having a bright red liquid pumped into your bloodstream by a doctor or nurse gets your attention! In addition, it’s well established that B12 is relatively non-toxic even when given in therapeutic dosages. (1,2,3,4,5)
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements | 16 Comments & Updates

Positive Interactions: St. John’s Wort

January 7, 2011 Written by JP

Interactions between medications and nutritional supplements is a frequently cited concern by many health authorities and rightfully so. Part of the earnest trepidation has to do with the unknown effects that may occur when combining various foods, herbs, over-the-counter drugs and the like. The bottom line is that there are so many variables that it’s nearly impossible to predict exactly what will happen in such circumstances. Furthermore, the same holds true for patients who are taking multiple medications at the same time. There simply isn’t a viable way to conduct clinical trials to study every conceivable combination given to patients. But something that’s often lost in the mix is that interactions can also produce positive effects as well. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements | 8 Comments & Updates

Best Of Aromatherapy News

December 22, 2010 Written by JP

The key to feeling more energetic and peaceful may be right in front of your face. Before you go crazy trying to figure it out – take a deep breath. Part of the solution is just breathing deeply. Now combine that action with essential oils derived from flowers, fruit rinds and leaves and you have a powerful natural remedy known as aromatherapy. My health promoting tip of the day is to inhale your way to a better state of mind.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Mental Health | 13 Comments & Updates

Light Therapy for Eating Disorders

November 20, 2010 Written by JP

Fall is now officially upon us and the days are becoming shorter with hours of light now replaced with greater stretches of darkness. For some, this change of seasons is a time to rejoice. Many find beauty in the coral, crimson and golden colors adorning trees and relief from the sweltering heat of summer. However, others experience the crisp temperatures and dimmer lighting in a profoundly unsettling way. A form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a very real phenomenon associated with a relative lack of sunshine. Other mental health conditions such as eating disorders can also be adversely affected by sparse bright light.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Diet and Weight Loss, Mental Health | 14 Comments & Updates

Humor Therapy

October 15, 2010 Written by JP

Every so often I’ll encounter a client who isn’t open to the possibility of changing his diet and/or incorporating nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes into his daily routine. At first thought you might wonder “What’s left to recommend?”. I like to treat situations such as this as a puzzle. Certain pieces clearly don’t fit. But if someone comes to me asking for help, I have to assume they’re at least willing to consider my advice. He might even adopt my suggestions, if I respect his wishes and find the right fit for him (or her). Laughter therapy is a treatment modality that frequently falls into this category.
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Posted in Diabetes, Heart Health, Mental Health | 14 Comments & Updates

Saffron Research

July 23, 2010 Written by JP

Foods and natural remedies are frequently classified according to their most prominent features. Echinacea flowers and roots are generally thought of as immune boosters. Ginkgo biloba leaves are widely regarded as memory enhancers. And saffron stigmas are associated with the deep red color they impart to countless Eurasian dishes. Of the three examples, saffron is probably the least familiar in terms of medicinal potential. However, that is likely to change thanks to recent studies that are beginning to reveal new talents for this ancient spice. Read more »


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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements | 19 Comments & Updates

Twitter Therapy

June 24, 2010 Written by JP

The topic of this week’s Twitter Thursday is the interplay between the body and mind. There is an erroneous perception out there that we have body related health issues and brain related health issues – the physiological and the psychological. However, an increasing body of research suggests that how we care for our body has both positive and negative consequences on many aspects of mental health and vice versa. Read more »


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Posted in Memory, Mental Health, Women's Health | No Comments;

Fishy Medicine

June 2, 2010 Written by JP

The way you perceive things can dramatically influence the results you find. I think many people accept this concept as true to some extent. But how many of us actually keep this philosophy in mind when applying it in practical terms? For example – when psychiatrists throughout the world prescribe a medication for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or clinical depression, most patients are inclined to believe that it will relieve their symptoms. However, would the same mindset hold true if a physician “prescribed” eating more fish or supplementing with fish oil for the same conditions? Setting aside the relative efficacy of the respective treatments, it’s important to understand that the way you think about any given therapy is likely to affect the outcome – for better or for worse. Read more »


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Posted in Children's Health, Food and Drink, Mental Health | 6 Comments & Updates

Natural Mood Boosters

May 19, 2010 Written by JP

According to the National Institute of Mental Health almost 10% of the US adult population is living with a mood disorder. Approximately 15,000 million of these men and women carry the diagnosis of major depressive disorder. An additional 3 million adults are dealing with a milder form of chronic depression referred to as dysthymic disorder. (1) Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Mental Health, Nutritional Supplements | 27 Comments & Updates