3430

3430-D Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA 23139

(804) 598-5352 www.herbalconsultant.com

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

SENIORS'

NUTRITION CLASS

Powhatan High School Wednesday, Nov. 8

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Free for seniors! To register, call Sharon Faubert at PHS

at 598-5710

CLASS AT OUR SHOP

Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis Naturally

Janice Goldstein, RN, Master Herbalist, Instructor

Monday, November 27,

6:30 - 8:00pm at our store. $15.00 per person.

Call 598-5352 to pre-register

FAVORITE HEALTH QUOTE

“Drugs, the most popular Western modality, tend not to treat the root cause of disease; have potentially harmful side effects; and do not generally prevent recurrence of disease.”

~Hana R Solomon, MD

FEELING S.A.D.?

Do bears know something humans don't? During the winter months, bears hibernate. Many humans, however, feel sluggish, tired and depressed and wish we could hibernate. We don't understand why we feel this way because in most cases, nothing in our lives has changed - except the season. Our symptoms consist of a combination of the following: severe depression, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, lowered sex drive, loss of interest in socializing, insomnia or increased sleep and cravings for sweets and starchy foods. When many or all of these symptoms are present only during the winter, experts diagnose a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland, about 6% of the U.S. adult population suffers from S.A.D. It is most common in Alaska (they average 19 hours of darkness daily in the winter) and least common in California and Florida. It was easy for researchers to put two and two together to determine that a lack of daily sunlight is the cause of S.A.D. The good news for S.A.D. sufferers is that it's usually easy to cure by "shedding some light" on the problem. Daily exposure to sunlight (about an hour a day, preferably around noon) can help mild cases, usually without further treatment. Participating in winter sports like skiing, snow boarding or hiking has been shown to improve many symptoms.

For more severe cases, several other treatment options are available. Spending time in front of special light boxes may alleviate depression. These lights are 40 times brighter than indoor lighting. According to the NIMH scientists, 75 percent of patients who use light box therapy experience relief from S.A.D. symptoms within two to 14 days. The time spent in front of the light boxes can vary from person to person, so a health professional should be consulted for advice and monitoring. Also, symptoms reappear when the therapy is stopped, so daily exposure is essential to maintain positive results. Most users begin light therapy in October and end by the end of April. If prescribed by a medical doctor, light boxes may be covered by some health insurance plans.

Eating healthier can help reduce S.A.D. symptoms. Lots of sugars and refined (white) carbohydrates lead to increased insulin levels. High insulin tells the body to store what you just ate as fat, thereby dropping your blood sugar concentration. Your brain can burn only sugar, so it is deprived of food. Poor concentration and depression can result.

Two dietary supplements that have shown some promise for treating S.A.D. are melatonin and 5-HTP. A study from Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland found that 0.125 mg of melatonin, the hormone commonly used to fight jet lag and insomnia, alleviated S.A.D. symptoms. It's usually taken in the afternoon. Higher doses could cause sleepiness, so don't exceed 0.125 mg unless using it at bed time. 5-HTP is another useful supplement that increases our serotonin levels, the chemical in our brain that affects mood, and is made from the seed of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia). Numerous double-blind studies have shown that 5-HTP has equal effectiveness compared to drugs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressant drugs like imipramine and desipramine in terms of effectiveness. Doses range from 50 - 300mg daily, depending on need. It should not be taken with any other anti-depressant medications.

Other help for S.A.D. can include one or more of the following:

--Sit near windows whenever possible and soak up as much natural light as you can.

--Take a vacation to a sunny place to rejuvenate your spirit.

--Try to minimize stressors in your life.

--Reduce alcohol consumption. Alcohol in all forms is a depressant.

--Take a multi-vitamin and a B-complex formula every day to be sure symptoms aren't

caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies. B-complex has a positive affect on mood

and stress.

--Socialize. You'll feel better when you spend time with people you like.

--If S.A.D. becomes severe enough, prescription anti-depressants might be

recommended by your family doctor or psychiatrist.

As always with all medical conditions, consult a knowledgeable healthcare professional before beginning any treatments on your own. And remember, things could be worse - we could be living in Alaska!

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MASSAGE!

DOLCE MASSAGE &

BODY WORKS

Call Abbey Merritt (234-1055) OR Jessica Hutt (357-3027) for an appointment. Located inside Apothecarian Herbals.

BUY A CHRISTMAS GIFT CERTIFICATE TODAY!

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