Many times we attribute mental and emotional unease to life stressors, childhood issues, existential angst, or genetic predispositions. We often believe that the only thing that will help is psychotherapy or medication. And while therapy can be very helpful, and medication may provide relief, we may want to examine some very real physical reasons why depression/anxiety may occur. In this blog, I will be addressing some of the natural treatments for depression and anxiety like diet, exercise, lifestyle modification, as well as some of the causes of mental illnesses I have found through my work with Nutrition Response Testing. The latter causes include a fascinating array of possibilities, including heavy metals, food allergies, chemicals, unresolved infections, and even untreated physical scars.
Natural Treatments for Depression and Anxiety
Much anxiety/depression can be lifted by simply being disciplined about one’s diet. This includes not overindulging in caffeine and sugar, both of which create mood and energy swings. I advise starting the morning with a hearty breakfast. The hours of 7-11am are when the digestive fire is the strongest, and your body will absorb and assimilate nutrients the best. This is a good time to eat some protein and fat.
Do not skip meals. If anything, try snacking between meals, with protein-rich foods, as this will help maintain healthy blood sugar throughout the day. Make sure to include a mixture of cooked and raw fruits and vegetables in your diet. The vitamins and minerals they contain will nourish your body, and the fiber and freshness will clean your body of toxins.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages on a regular basis. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It is also a toxic to the liver, which is the main organ responsible for mood and emotions. Many people drink to relieve stress at the end of a workday, but it is only a temporary relief; long term it does more harm than good for helping lift depression/anxiety. This includes red wine, which many people believe is a health drink. Red wine does contain compounds that can reduce the risk of heart disease, but it is still a depressant . Daily consumption of alcohol, even at just one glass a day, can be both physically and psychologically addicting, exacerbating mental/emotional conditions.
In terms of exercise, everyone is different, but I suggest doing something for at least 20 minutes a day. This could be walking, tai chi, biking, or it could mean working out vigorously at the gym. Exercise moves blood and qi, balances hormone and neurotransmitter levels, and clear the mind. Sometimes people feel so depressed they cannot motivate to do this, but I urge them to force themselves, and think of exercise as vital to their mental health as any medicine.
I also advise people to go outside 20 minutes a day and get fresh air and some sun. Try to go to a place where there is some natural beauty, such as a park or beach. The vibrations of nature are soothing and rejuvenating. Getting enough sleep is another factor; I do recommend people get to bed by 11pm, as 11pm-3am in Chinese Medicine is the time when the liver regenerates. And of course, I recommend engaging in any hobbies or social activities that provide enjoyment. Force yourself, if you need to!
Acupuncture and herbs are very helpful in normalizing all these functions, whether it is developing an appetite for breakfast in the morning, breaking the cycle of alcohol consumption, energizing the body enough so it can do without coffee, or guiding the body to adopt a regular sleep pattern. I occasionally ask people to keep a food log, so I can see what kind of changes they can make in their diet to help keep mood and emotions stable.
Hidden Causes of Depression/Anxiety
I also use Nutrition Response Testing to uncover underlying causes of mental and emotional discomfort. What I am finding is that anything can contribute these conditions. Here are the issues that come up most commonly:
1. Artificial Sweeteners. Yes, it is true, they accumulate over time and tend to affect the nervous system. I have seen cases of bi-polar conditions that are in part induced by artificial sweeteners, as well as many cases of depression, severe anxiety, and insomnia. The problem is that they are everywhere, often unlabelled, and difficult to avoid (see Just Say No to Artificial Sweeteners) My advice: avoid all sodas, gum, mints, flavored teas and beverages, and flavored waters. If you take many supplements, come in and let me check them for you, most over-the counter supplement coatings contain a large amount of unlabelled artificial sweetener. Depending on the severity of the case, I recommend either just stopping the suspect food/beverages, or doing a 2 week simple detox to clean out the nervous system.
2. Heavy Metals. Heavy metals also have an affinity for the nervous system. Many cases of bi-polar, autism, psychosis, and mental confusion are due to heavy metals. We have been led to believe by the medical establishment that these types of illnesses are genetic, but that is simply not the case. There may be a genetic predisposition to have a more sensitive nervous system, but generally, there needs to be a trigger. Heavy metals are a huge trigger. The most common heavy metal is mercury. This can be acquired in vitro, through amalgam fillings, through fish consumption, and through certain vaccinations. I have seen lead and aluminum create problems in the brain as well. Nutrition Response Testing can check for these, and treat it through gentle but effective food-based supplements. This is a much better solution than taking toxic medications that simply modify irrational thoughts and behavior.
3. Food Allergies. Common food allergies include wheat and other grains, dairy, and sugar. People may not have any idea that they are affected by food allergies, as most people do not experience digestive problems when eating these foods. However, once in the system, it is affecting the organs in a harmful way. Wheat is not the same plant it used to be 100 years ago. It has been hybridized in certain ways that make it toxic to many people. Dairy products are very rarely made from cows eating normal cow food – grass. Dairy products are filled with hormones and antibiotics, and then homogenized and pasteurized, killing off any beneficial live enzymes they might have had. It is a wonder that anyone can be unaffected by dairy. Nutrition Response Testing can check for common food allergies, and clear the toxic effects of these foods through the use of enzymes, and a 3 month avoidance of the food.
4. Pesticides. Surprisingly, many people test for pesticides as being a part of their anxiety/depression problem. Pesticides are another chemical that have an affinity for harming the nervous system, and can lodge on nerve and brain receptors for many many years. They also attach to the thyroid quite easily. Generally they are acquired not from eating, but from being in areas where pesticides are sprayed. People who grew up in farming communities are especially affected. However, pesticides are sprayed in urban areas as well, usually in or outside homes to get rid of fleas, termites ants, or other insects. Or for general landscaping. Some of these pesticides are passed in vitro. This is true for DDT, which was banned in 1973, yet shows up frequently on younger people. Again, I recommend an herbal or food-based detox for this type of situation.
5. Immune Challanges. This refers to subclinical infections that the body has to put energy into fighting. It could range from bacterial, to viral, to parasitical, to fungal. Many of these pathogens can live in the nervous or endocrine system. In addition, bacterias and parasites produce toxic waste products that the body may not clear. All this can create low level inflammation, which in turn affects the mood and energy. Nutrition Response Testing can check for what you need to completely fight off this infection so that your body can relax and experience less inflammation.
6. Physical Scars. The sympathetic nervous system has a whole system of nerve fibers on the skin. Sometimes, scars can interrupt the flow of energy on these nerve fibers. A possible scar can include old injuries, surgeries, episiotomy scars, tattoos, or piercing. With Nutrition Response Testing, I can check for which scars are “active”, and treat them with cold laser therapy and wheat germ oil topically.
As you can see, a broad range of factors can contribute to mental/emotional conditions. Keep risk factors down by eating a healthy diet, exercising, enjoying a balanced lifestyle, as well as coming in to get checked on the specifics of what is physically affecting your body.
