Kamli Logo
quranraj.com 
Visa-Immigration.info
 
Domian Registration and Hosting Solution
TipsJunction.com
Online_Flash_Games
 

Bookmark and Share
Emotions and Your Health

To learn more about how emotions can affect health, we spoke to our Wellness Expert, Lynn Laboranti, MS RD.

Wellness Advisor: How does depression affect health?

Lynn Laboranti: One recent study looked at the relationship between symptoms of depression and measures of quality of life and heart function. Results showed that people who suffer from depression reported a diminished quality of life and fair or poor overall health. In addition, depressive symptoms were associated with greater heart disease symptoms and physical limitation. Although it is not clear how psychological health factors are related to physical indicators of heart function, these findings show that depression is just as important as any other factor when assessing heart function in patients with heart disease.

WA: I’ve heard that B vitamins might play a role in mood. Is this true?

Laboranti: B vitamins are involved in many biochemical reactions in the body, including the brain and nervous system function. B vitamins are involved in energy production and a deficiency may result in poor cognitive functioning, which may also affect mood. Also, individuals under a high amount of stress may be depleting B vitamins from their body more rapidly, therefore their need for B vitamins may increase.

WA: What are some supplements I should try to help me with my mood?

Laboranti: First, it is always important to eat a healthful, well-balanced diet for good health and to help keep us in balance. However, it may be difficult to eat healthfully on a daily basis and, in turn, it may affect our physical and emotional health. There are numerous factors that can contribute to mood disturbances and mood changes. Before taking supplements for mood or emotional health, you should first speak to your health care practitioner, to be sure you are choosing the right treatment for you.

There are some nutritional supplements that may help boost mood. SAM-e, or S-adenosylmethionine, is produced in our body naturally; however, we have lower amounts available as we age. The supplement SAM-e can help the nervous system work properly. Although it is not completely understood, SAM-e may work by allowing brain serotonin levels to increase, and may ease mood disturbances. B vitamins also help SAM-e work effectively, and adequate levels of B vitamins may help to maintain normal brain functioning, which may also affect mood. For mood enhancement, SAM-e and a B-complex supplement are recommended.

Another alternative is St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort is used today for enhancing mood and emotional well-being. The exact mechanism of how St. John’s Wort works is unknown; however, it is thought to work similarly to common prescription anti-depressant medications used today. St. John’s Wort may exert a mild anti-depressive action, and therefore may help to elevate mood. Please note that St. John’s Wort should not be taken in combination with SAM-e.

People who tend to be sensitive to the sun (such as fair-skinned individuals), should be cautioned when taking St. John`s Wort; alternatively, individuals taking large doses of the herb should avoid excessive sun exposure. In addition, St. John’s Wort may have additive effects with SSRI’s and other antidepressants, and should not be used at the same time due to possible adverse effects. St. John’s Wort is also contraindicated in pregnancy because it may stimulate uterine contractions. More recently, it has been discovered that St. John`s Wort may affect the Cytochrome P450 system, which is responsible for metabolizing various drugs or medications. Therefore, St. John’s Wort may affect the metabolism of certain drugs. Please check with your health care professional before taking St. John`s Wort.

WA: I’ve thought about antidepressants, but would like a "natural" alternative. Are natural alternatives as effective?

Laboranti: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) conducted an extensive literature review to determine SAM-e’s efficacy for treatment of depression, osteoarthritis, cholestasis of pregnancy, and intrahepatic cholestasis associated with liver disease. The results were released in late 2002. The AHRQ included 28 studies in a meta-analysis of the efficacy of SAM-e to decrease symptoms of depression. Compared to placebo, SAM-e was associated both statistically and clinically with significant improvements in the score of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (measurement for assessing depression). When compared to more common antidepressants used today, treatment with SAM-e was not associated with a statistically significant difference in outcomes, suggesting SAM-e is as effective as some antidepressant prescription drugs.

WA: What other steps should I take to help with my mood and health?

Laboranti: We know exercise is good for our health—especially for our hearts. However, exercising regularly can also help maintain our emotional health and well-being. The physiological benefits of exercise are well-established in the scientific literature; research also supports the psychological benefit of exercise. The clear benefits for our mind/mood should be emphasized equally, since the psychological benefit of exercise may be very relevant to the present life situations of some individuals. The type of exercise doesn’t seem to matter. Engaging in either aerobic or anaerobic exercise seems to be equally effective for boosting mood. Aerobic or endurance exercise is exercise that requires extra oxygen, such as walking, jogging, biking, aerobic dancing, etc. Aerobic exercise can be sustained for a longer period of time. Anaerobic exercise, on the other hand, does not require extra oxygen, and consists of shorts bursts of exercise such as powerlifting, sprinting, etc. Anaerobic exercises are short in duration due to the strenuous nature of the exercise. Before beginning a regular exercise program, you should obtain your physician’s clearance. Increasing your physical activity and regular exercise (for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week), is a positive way to get yourself on the road to better health.

Increasing social activity may also help to fight depression. Being social around loved ones naturally lifts our spirits. This is true at any age, but especially as we get older. Making it a point to go out with friends and family, joining clubs, starting a hobby with a group of friends, will all increase social activity. Why not reap double the benefits and start a walking club with friends in your neighborhood! You can socialize while exercising, and both help to boost mood. Also, keeping active and social may help keep stress to a minimum and help increase your sense of well being.

Winter Wellness
Winter Blues
Wellness 101
Traveling Tips
Techniques for Managing Stress
Smoker`s Health
SAM-e: Help Through Life’s Ups and Downs
Relax with Valerian
Memory and Wellness
Look Sharp
HOPE-TOO Vitamin E Analysis
Healthy Skin
Gum Disease
Government Report on SAM-e
Gingko Biloba: Just the Facts
Get Glowing! Healthy Skin and Vitamins
Food and Mood
Feeling Blue
Emotions and Your Health
Drug/Nutrient Interactions
Digestive Health
Digestive Disorders
Diabetes Health
Acidophilus: Healthy Bacteria
Acid Reflux
   
Delicious_Recipes
INTERNATIONAL_SMS
Sponsored Links
Fashion_Style
Read_Poetry