Beat the blues in Winter
15/10/2007
The onset of winter is often a time when people feel a little out of sorts. But persistent symptoms such as feeling miserable for no real reason, lack of energy, tiredness and depression, disturbed sleep, waning sex drive and appetite problems can signify clinical depression.
One type of depression, believed to affect up to one in 20 people, is Seasonally Affected Disorder or SAD. Experts believe SAD relates to a lack of daylight exposure and the use of a light box to provide a regular dose of artificial light each day helps many people. The Nutri Centre recommends the Diamond 3 adjustable-angle light box from the Wholistic Research Company. It provides strong natural light so treatment time can be kept to a minimum.
Mood boosting tips include plenty of rest, relaxation, regular exercise, preferably including time outdoors and a healthy, nutrient rich diet with plenty of omega 3 essential fatty acids from oily fish, nuts and seeds. Counselling may assist with resolving anxieties but for more severe forms of depression medical advice should be sought.
The latest so-called miracle antidepressants, like Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil, work by prolonging the effect of ‘feel good’ brain chemical serotonin. Specifically they block the degradation of serotonin after it has performed its chief job of bridging nerve synapses (gaps between nerve cells). However these drugs, called SSRIs, (serotonin-selective re-uptake inhibitors) can produce significant adverse side effects, and generally cannot work well unless the body is producing adequate levels of serotonin in the first place.
A well- researched nutritional supplement called 5-HTP (5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan) appears to have something to offer sufferers of mood related maladies. 5-HTP is said to be as effective as antidepressant drugs, but it is better tolerated and is associated with fewer and much milder side effects.
Alex Shalet, Senior Nutritionist at The Nutri Cente recommends Mood™ Food Formula by Higher Nature, a best-selling complex of vitamins and amino acids for maintaining well-tuned brain chemistry and a happy, balanced state of mind.
Mood Food is designed to support the serotoninergic system, known to modulate mood, emotion, sleep and appetite. It contains 5-HTP, the precursor amino acid for serotonin which is found naturally in the African herb, Griffonia Simplicifolia. It also contains others compounds that assist in enhancing mood; DLPA and tyrosine are precursor amino acids for dopamine, adrenalin and noradrenalin, and trimethylglycine (TMG) helps to make naturally occurring tryptamines.
Further active ingredients to promote healthy and balanced brain chemistry include the B-vitamins pantothenic acid, B6, B12 and folic acid. B6 is of particular importance as it is essential for the production of serotonin. Mood™ Food also contains Sceletium, an ancient herb used by the San tribes in Africa to maintain a sense of connection.
The recommended dosage is two capsules, once or twice a day, preferably on an empty stomach or with a non-protein snack, or as your health professional advises.
Consult your doctor before taking, if pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, taking anti-depressants or other medication, or in cases of phenylketonuria. Some drowsiness may occur if taken during the day. In a very few cases some gastro-intestinal discomfort can occur which usually disappears by reducing the intake.
Product Recommendations
Mood Food Formula by Higher Nature £21.90 for 60 Capsules
Diamond 3 Light Box by Wholistic Research Company £210.00 each