Link correction from last week: I got tangled up in the technology and somehow or other gave you the wrong links for the Woodward’s. Dr. John Woodward should have gone to this LINK and Hugh Woodward to the Twist25 DHEA LINK.

Healthy by Nature radio show this week: A double header will keep me hopping. Well known nutrition-oriented dentist, Dr. John Peldyak covers what is new and interesting in dentistry. Then I talk with David McMahon about how he got help from Italy for his cardiovascular problems. We introduce a new sponsor, Cardiol.  Click here to find podcasts, show archives and ways to listen nationwide. Call with questions at 1-800-281-8255.
 
The old standby nutritional basics pack a punch
There are a shocking number of TV commercials these days for drugs to treat depression. (I see the most during the evening news shows. I thought that was just because the pharmaceutical companies target what they know is an older audience. But maybe they also noticed that the news is just depressing!) Depression, like most ailments, is evidence that something is out of balance in the body. St. John’s Wort is an effective herbal approach for depression. In some studies it was actually found to be as effective as the drugs routinely prescribed. (Caution: Never stop taking a psychoactive drug without professional supervision!)
 
Although herbs can be much gentler medicines than pharmaceuticals, the overall result is even better when you can solve a problem with nutrients like vitamins, minerals or fats. Here’s why. If you are low in a nutrient, you probably also need it for other functions. For example, magnesium is helpful for depression, stress and anxiety but also for lowering blood pressure, relieving constipation and reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death. Likewise, fish oil is helpful for depression but also has fringe benefits for heart health and joints.

An Australian study published this month reminds us that the B complex is also powerful. A double-blind placebo-controlled study showed that a daily high dose Vitamin B complex supplement significantly reduced personal strain, confusion and depressed/dejected mood after 12?weeks. They controlled subjects to make sure the effect wasn’t due to differences in personality or work demands. LINK.

That is good news indeed because heaven knows we have plenty of job-related or worse yet, a lot of NO-job-related stress that needs attending to. The abstract didn’t define what “high dose” meant. Consider this: On B vitamin, Pantothenic Acid (B5), is known to help with stress. The USDA recommends a mere 5 mg / day. Therefore, an ordinary B50 complex would have 10 times that amount and would likely be considered “high dose.” B vitamins are water soluble and as long as you keep them in balance, they are very safe. Real food contains B’s but they are lacking in highly processed packaged foods.

My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book : Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

Copyright 2011 Martie Whittekin, CCN