Anxiety and Depression
What is ANXIETY?!
A mental condition characterized by excessive apprehensiveness about real or perceived threats, typically leading to avoidance behaviors and often to physical and emotional symptoms such as increased heart rate, feeling restless, sweating, upset stomach, problems sleeping, problems socializing, isolation, and/or muscle tension. Always make sure you are seeking out professional help and/or resources. All treatment is individual and needs to be monitored by a professional on an individual basis.
OMEGA 3 AND ANXIETY/DEPRESSION
Anxiety is one of most the common neurological disorders. The brain is incredibly sensitive to inflammation, not the type you can feel but the type of inflammation that is below the perception of pain; this is called cellular inflammation. What makes this type of inflammation so disruptive is that it causes a breakdown in signaling between cells. What causes cellular inflammation is an increase in the omega-6 fatty acid known as arachidonic acid (AA). From this fatty acid comes a wide range of inflammatory hormones known as eicosanoids that are the usual suspects when it comes to inflammation. This is why anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, non-steroid anti-inflammatories, COX-2 inhibitions and corticosteroids) all have a single mode of action-to inhibit the formation of these inflammatory eicosanoids. These drugs, however, can't cross the blood-brain barrier that isolates the brain from a lot of noxious materials in the blood stream. So when the brain becomes inflamed, its only protection is adequate levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. But what happens when the levels of omega-3 fatty acids are low in the brain? The answer is increased neuro-inflammation and continual disruption of signaling between nerves.
There are two omega-3 fatty acids in the brain. The first is called docosahexaenoic acid or DHA. This is primarily a structural component for the brain. The other is called eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. This is the primary anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid for the brain. So if the levels of EPA are low in the blood, they are going to be low in the brain. To further complicate the matter, the lifetime of EPA in the brain is very limited (3,4). This means you have to have a constant supply in the blood stream to keep neuro-inflammation under control.
- Vitality Coldwater Omega-3® $14.99 -
Pure, concentrated DHA and EPA Omega-3’s for superior cardiovascular and brain health benefits. Two softgels include the research-recommended dose with no fishy aftertaste.
GUT HEATLTH PROBIOTIC AND FIBER FOR ANXIETY
Pro/prebiotic —The plethora of microbes living in the human gut not only affect people's physical health, they may also influence mental health, according to a growing body of research. Recent studies in animals show that changes in the gut bacteria community appear to make mice less anxious, and also affect levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Problems in your gut can directly impact your mental health, leading to issues like anxiety, depression and autism. It has long been known that probiotics, or “good bacteria” taken in pill or powder form, help maintain healthy gut flora beneficial to general health.
Fiber — Researchers have finally found conclusive proof that the balance of bacteria in your gut may have more to do with your mood than any other contributing factor.
Anxiety and depression have been thought to contribute to gastro conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A Johns Hopkins expert explains how what’s going on in your gut could be affecting your brain. Diets to low in soluble and insoluble fiber lead to many disease, and weight related issues.
- Florify Probiotic $19.99 month supply -
Florify contains 10 billion cfu of probiotics and prebiotics to help balance and protect your digestive tract for better health and improved nutrient absorption.
- FiberWise® Drink—Orange Sugar-Free $19.99 -
FiberWise contains a unique blend of 7 natural fiber sources along with vitamins, antioxidants, soothing herbs, and probiotics that gives a broad spectrum of full-body benefits.
TOXINS AND ANXIETY
Although 17 million Americans suffer from depression, no one knows for sure what causes it. Theories range from biochemical imbalances to stress to genetics. Recently, however, depression has been linked to a relatively new phenomenon: exposure to a wide array of environmental toxins. We're all exposed to pollutants--in our food, air, homes, environment, etc.--and over time these toxins accumulate in our systems.Exposure to pesticides has been linked with increased rates of depression.
"Environmental toxins have only increased over the past 50 years and have been found in everything from grit on the ground to the makeup a woman uses to powder her nose. Pesticides, toxic mold and harsh chemical cleaners have all become more prevalent in our country and also in many of our homes," says Dr. Harry Wong, clinical director of the Physicians Plus Medical Group, a medical clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area. "We often see patients who have feelings of depression and one of the first things we suspect is an environmental influence."
ADDITIONAL ANXIETY SUPPORT
- Luminex® Mood Support $17.49 -
Maintain a balanced mood and better cope with the ups and downs of life gently and naturally—without resorting to chemicals or hormones. Utilizes a patented natural formula.
- Vitality Pack® Women $19.99 -
Save $6.99 Research-recommended amounts of the nutrients women need most for daily health and more energy. Powered by Oligo for maximum absorption and antioxidant protection.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ANXIETY, STRESS AND DEPRESSION
There are many Essential Oils available that can help you to ease symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. It is important though that you use the ones you like the most. Scents are very personal and they mustn’t upset or stress you even more because they don’t smell right or make you too emotional. Always seek out 100% PURE EO- I recommend PURE by Melaleuca
Here’s a list of essential oils and their benefits. Don’t let the list overwhelm you! Try the ones you enjoy most.
Bergamot –Bergamot has a refreshing scent that uplifts the spirit and helps with feelings of pain, anxiety, depression, and sadness.
Basil -Uplifting refreshing scent that works against depression, fatigue, and anxiety.
Clary Sage – Clary sage can help with insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Frankincense – One of the best essential oils to slow down your breathing which helps to reduce feelings of fear, nervous tension, stress, and anxiety.
Geranium – Works as a natural sedative to lift the spirit and release negative emotions. It works great to ease symptoms of depression and stress.
YOGA
Yoga has been shown to lower stress hormones in our bodies while simultaneously increasing beneficial brain chemicals like endorphins and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). These feel-good chemicals help decrease anxiety and improve mood.
Sleep:
Deep sleep had restored the brain's prefrontal mechanism that regulates our emotions, lowering emotional and physiological reactivity and preventing the escalation of anxiety,” reports Eti Ben Simon, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Human Sleep Science at UC Berkeley
Cell Phone:
A new study found reducing your smartphone usage by just an hour a day for a week can improve your mental health. Monitoring your smartphone usage and how it impacts you can help you to make positive changes. For additional information on anxiety, social pressure, social comparison, and Social Media seek additional blogs/vlogs o our website.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0515/p620.html