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I Want a Natural Health Remedy
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Natural Ways to Dump Your Depression
  

Depression or similar mood disorders affect twenty five percent of Americans. At least one in eight Americans will experience a serious bout of depression. Depression is a major condition because depression is the leading cause of suicide. Depression can sometimes be a normal experience. For example, depression after dealing with death, divorce, or life-changing accidents is perfectly normal. However, prolonged bouts of sadness without a real reason are quite serious.

Depression can be caused by any number of things in the body. Poor nutrition is often a cause for depression. People who eat extensive amounts of processed foods don't get the materials required for appropriate bodily action. This can include problems with brain function and the nervous system. For some people, pesticides (which can leave a residue on food) and things that are added to food like sugar replacements can be toxic and can induce serious problems within the body.

Additionally, food allergies can cause depression. People who are allergic to wheat have been known to report depressive symptoms as a result of consuming that food. Regulation problems of the hormone system can also be a cause of depression. Stress, toxins, poor diet, and exercise can change hormone levels and lead to mood swings. Stress, more specifically, secretes excessive hormones in the body, causing difficulty with brain processes.

Sleep difficulties can also lead to depression. Most people require eight to ten hours of sleep each night. Getting too much or too little sleep changes the body's natural rhythm. There are many possible culprits including bedroom lighting, noise, and stress. Whatever the problem, though, it can change the body's natural mood. Exercise increases endorphin release in the body and prevents depression. Those who don't exercise are thirty percent more likely to suffer from depression than those who do. Whatever the cause of your depression, it needs to be treated. However, medical doctors are most likely to prescribe drugs like Prozac to treat your illness. While medications like Prozac can be necessary at times, they can also have serious side effects like anxiety and violent behavior.

Perhaps one of the best ways to treat depression is through natural medications. While it is necessary to eat well and exercise while taking any of these, they will help in the long term. One natural solution to depression is St. John's Wort. This medication has few side effects and has been shown to assist with depression, apathy, sleep disturbances, anorexia, and feelings of worthlessness. Another helpful herb is Gingko. This can improve circulation, which, in turn, means more blood reaching the brain. That helps to detoxify your body. 5-HTP is also quite helpful in treating depression. It can raise serotonin levels which can cause rising levels of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that are changed when the brain enters a depressive state.

In addition to natural medications, vitamin and mineral therapy can be quite helpful. Many vitamin deficits have been shown to contribute to mood difficulties. Vitamin B6 deficiencies have been shown to be a contributor to depression. Folic acid deficiency can cause depression, insomnia, anorexia, forgetfulness, hyperirritability, apathy, fatigue and anxiety. Vitamin B12 absences have been known to cause postpartum depression. Vitamin C loss causes low levels of serotonin. Poor levels of magnesium can cause poor attention, memory loss, fear, restlessness, insomnia, tics, cramps and dizziness. Supplementation of any of these vitamin and mineral losses can help heal depression.

There are a few other natural ways to heal depression. A focus on nutrition has been shown to lower depression levels in some patients. You should follow several guidelines to create a well balanced, nutritional diet. First, try to consume two and one half cups of vegetables and two cups of fruit each day. When making your selections for each day, be sure to choose a good variety. Select from all five vegetable subgroups at least four times per week. You should eat at least three ounces of whole grain products each day. At least half of your grain intake should be whole grain based.

Milk should also be part of a healthy diet. Consume at least forty-eight ounces of low fat milk or milk products on a daily basis. Your total fat intake should only be between ten and thirty percent of your calories. Most of the fats you consume should be in the form of unsaturated fats, as saturated fats can do much to damage your health. Meat, poultry, dry beans, and milk or milk products should all be lean, low-fat, or fat-free. Less than ten percent of your calories should come from saturated fats, and you should always try to avoid trans-fatty acid. Fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be a regular part of your diet as should potassium rich foods. Alcoholic beverages should only be consumed in moderation.

One final way to heal depression is through regular exercise. Choose an activity you enjoy, and then stick with it. Try to exercise twenty minutes per day, three days per week. This will help detoxify your body and increase levels of important neurotransmitters in the brain, thus banishing depression.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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