Depression.
Clinical depression (acute stress) ranks second only to advanced
coronary heart disease in the total number of days patients
spent in the hospital or disabled at home, according to Dr.
Frederick Goodwin, director of the National Institute
of Mental Health.
Furthermore, one out of four American
men and one out of two American women have used tranquilizers
and over 20 million Americans take some sort of drug to sleep
at night, asserts Dr. James Fries, medical adviser at Stanford
University.
How did
a country - whose citizens are known the world over for their
outgoing self-confidence - emerge as a leading consumer of
drugs for social anxiety? And how did a nation - famed
for its dedication to the pursuit of happiness - end up as
a fertile market for antidepressant drugs?
The answer lies with the pharmaceutical
industries' clever promotion of these drugs while downplaying
their addictive nature and extremely harmful side effects.
In October of 2003, the FDA finally proposed warning labels
on antidepressants because they may promote suicidal tendencies,
which fact was suppressed by the pharmaceutical industry.
Stress
is the body's nonspecific response to any demand made upon
it, according to Dr. Hans Selye, one of the pioneers in stress
management. In a very real sense, it's the price we pay for
our increasingly toxic, fast-paced, rapidly changing civilization.
Muscle spasm
is frequently related to stress and nutrient deficiencies.
Stress is the body's response to any demand. Stress cannot
be avoided, it is either positive or negative. Positive stress
can encourage an individual to strive and achieve goals. Negative
stress - distress - can cause emotional or physical disease.
Problems related to acute stress
include muscle spasm, atherosclerosis and related heart disease,
high blood pressure, obesity, peptic ulcer, and asthma.22
Anxiety,
on the other hand, is frequently a symptom of hypoglycemia
(low blood sugar). The controlling of the patient's blood
sugar is an important key to controlling his or her anxiety.23
Hypoglycemia influences the nerve and muscle systems with
such symptoms as headache, fatigue, depression, nausea, blurred
vision, and trembling muscle spasms.24
Hyperactivity,
a condition almost unknown 30 years ago, affects up to 20%,
and perhaps more, of today's children.25 Every
hyperactive child manifests certain of the following symptoms:
(1) Restless and jittery; (2) Short attention span; (3) Impatience
and difficulty in concentrating; (4) Touching everything and
everyone around him or her; (5) Hair-trigger temper and aggressiveness;
(6) Too hyped up to sleep well.
In a study of 200 hyperactive
children, more than 60 percent were found to have low blood
sugar which hit the switch that started or aggravated typical
hyperactive behavior.26
Spasm, stress, anxiety, insomnia,
persistent headache, and hyperactivity are all related to
lifestyle, diet and how well the body is nourished. It is
a sad fact of life that 90% of Americans show some signs of
malnutrition!27
The Nine Warning Signs
of Stress and Depression
The National Mental Health Association
suggests individuals experiencing any five of the following
symptoms for two weeks or more should consult a health professional:
* Feelings of sadness and/or irritability;
* Loss of interest or pleasure
in activities once enjoyed;
* Changes in weight or appetite;
* Changes in sleep patterns;
* Feeling guilty, hopeless or
worthless;
* Inability to concentrate, make
decisions, or remember things;
* Fatigue or loss of energy;
* Restlessness or decreased activity
noticed by others;
* Thoughts of death or suicide.
The following recommendations
are applicable to reduce stress, anxiety, mild depression,
and hyperactivity and should be carefully adhered to:
1) Take two capsules of Factor
Six: Sommaserene in the morning to reduce stress
and anxiety. Unlike most prescription antidepressants, the
herbals in Sommaserene will not cause drowsiness nor
impair your motor responses. You may also safely take one
to two capsules in the evening before bedtime to relax you
for a good night's sleep.
2)
Avoid the following simple carbohydrates which are mostly
sugar and can cause major swings (a rapid rise followed
by a precipitous fall) in blood sugar, emotions, and body
reactions: cake, candy, cookies, cough drops, doughnuts, fruit
flavored drinks, ice cream, jam and jelly, pastries, pies,
soft drinks, sweet rolls, white bread and white rice.
Scientists at the University of
Berkeley examined the blood glucose curves of various individuals
and a standardized test for mental agility (SST) was given
to each subject. Those subjects whose blood sugar levels were
in the healthy range (60 mg % or above) had average SST scores
of 22, while the low-blood-sugar group had mean scores of
5.28
Simply stated, sugar makes
people stupid and the average American consumes about 130
pounds of it each year!29
3)
Consider taking a multivitamin supplement if your eating
habits are poor. Tension increases losses of several nutrients
in the urine, and blood levels of many vitamins and minerals
are also low during times of stress.
4) Minimize or avoid alcohol,
caffeine, and tobacco. These substances deplete the body's
antistress hormones.
5) Avoid chocolate. Chocolate
contains the compound Phenylethylamine which causes the blood
vessels in the head to enlarge and places pressure on the
surrounding brain tissue, resulting in possible headaches
and migraines.30
6) Avoid artificial colorings,
flavorings and nitrites which are used as preservatives
in bacon, ham, sausage, hotdogs, and most sandwich meats.
7) Do eat a low-fat, high-fiber,
nutrient-dense diet containing a variety of fruits, vegetables,
whole grain breads and cereals, low-fat dairy products, several
glasses of water, and lean meats, chicken and fish.
8) Do exercise at least
three times a week for at least 45 minutes per session. Exercise
improves blood sugar regulation and the receptivity of the
cells to insulin.31 Exercise can treat hyperactivity,32
depression, anxiety, and many other mild to moderate mental
problems.33
9) Rearrange your lifestyle
and rethink your priorities. Weigh the benefits of your current
lifestyle against the potential short-term and long-term effects
on health. Consider setting aside 15 minutes per day of quiet
relaxation and consider it as a daily mini-vacation.
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CALCIUM
(AS CALCIUM CITRATE) is essential for normal transmission
of electrical impulses along nerves. When blood calcium levels
drop below normal, nerves become hypersensitive and painful
spasms of the muscles (tetany) can result.1
During a four year study of 115
women, calcium supplements lowered blood pressure in hypertensive
patients more effectively than prescription medication.2
MAGNESIUM (CHELATE) is
important for relaxation of muscles, including those surrounding
the blood vessels. And arteries that are even slightly low
in magnesium are more likely to have spastic contractions.3
Magnesium also has been successful in treating certain rhythm
problems of the heart,4 including eclampsia (sudden
convulsive seizure).5
Calcium and magnesium have long
been known as the sleep minerals.6
INOSITOL, one of the B
vitamins, is a natural tranquilizer that has proven reliable
in helping patients to sleep by combating anxiety.7
VITAMIN B-6 (PYRIDOXINE
HCI) is necessary in the formation of prostaglandins that
regulate blood pressure, muscle contraction, and heart function.
Vitamin B-6 also aids in the formation and maintenance of
the nervous system.8 A diet low in B-6 is associated
with increased risk for developing insomnia, irritability,
and depression. Vitamin B-6 has been used successfully in
treating depression common among women on The Pill, half of
whom responded to B-6 with a dramatic lifting of the depression.9
VALERIAN ROOT FROM EXTRACT
is a primary sedative and is used when sleep disorders are
the result of anxiety, nervousness, exhaustion, headache or
hysteria. In addition, it has been shown to be effective in
treating tachycardia that just precedes going to sleep.10
Valerian has further been shown to help regulate psychosomatic
disorders, and relieve tension and restlessness.11
PASSIFLORA INCARNATA FROM
EXTRACT acts as a natural tranquilizer and can calm hyperactive
people. This herb is used in Italy to treat hyperactive children.12
The pain-killing (analgesic) effect of Passiflora has been
demonstrated in laboratory and clinical tests.13
HOPS STROBILES FROM EXTRACT
is most commonly used for its calming and anti-spasmotic effect
on the nervous system.14 Hops are also fast acting.
A soothing, relaxing calm will be experienced within 20-40
minutes after ingesting the herb.15, 16
SCULLICAP (SCUTELLARIA
LATERIFOLIA) FROM EXTRACT has been found to stabilize and
normalize blood pressure which is why it is usually recommended
for pain associated with nervous conditions.17
Twitching, tremulous pain may also be quieted by this herb.18
Skullcap ameliorates the nervous tension that often interferes
with learning, recall, logical thinking and memory formation
and, in this regard, resembles a muscle relaxant.19
GOTA KOLA (CENTELLA ASIATICA)
FROM EXTRACT is a neural tonic which is an excellent treatment
for nervous breakdown.20 Gota Kola exhibits a sedative
activity similar to meprobamate and chlorpromazine in that
the mode of action appears to be mainly on the cholinergic
mechanism in the central nervous system.21
NOTE: Gota Kola contains no caffeine
at all and should not be confused with Kola nut which contains
more caffeine per gram than coffee beans!
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References
1.
Somer, E, The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals, p.77,
1992
2. Johnson, NE, et al., American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 42, p. 12, July 1985
3. Altura, BM, Medical Hypotheses,
vol. 5, p. 843, 1979
4. Iseri, Western Journal of Medicine,
vol. 138, p. 1001, 1975
5. Altura, BM, et al., Science,
vol. 221, p. 376, July 22, 1983
6. Goldberg, P, et al., Natural
Sleep (How to Get Your Share), pp. 111 & 249, 1978
7. Cooper, AJ, Psychopharmacology,
vol. 61, pp. 97-102, 1979
8. Somer, E, The Essential Guide
to Vitamins and Minerals, p. 49, 1992
9. Adams, PW, et al., Lancet,
vol. 1, p. 897, April 28, 1973
10. Straube, C, Therapie der Gegenwort,
vol. 107, pp. 555-562, 1968
11. Boeters, V, Muenchener Medizinische
Wochenschrift, vol. 37, pp. 1873-1876, 1969
12. Weiner, M, Weiner's Herbal,
p. 149, 1992
13. Ambuhl, H, "Anatomische
und chemische untersucungen an Passiflor incarnata",
Dissertation Number 3830 ETH, Zurich, 1966
14. Wohlfart, R, et al., Planta
Medica, vol. 48, pp. 120-123, 1983
15. Stocker, H, Schweizer Braverei
Rundschau, vol. 78, p. 80, 1967
16. Wohlfart, R, et al., Planta
Medica, vol. 45, p. 224, 1982
17. Usow, T, Farmakologiia i Toksilogiia,
vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 31-34, 1958
18. Shibata, S, et al., Yokugaku
Zasshi, vol. 80, pp. 620-624, 1960
19. Usow, T, Farmakologiia i Toksilogiia,
vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 31-34, 1958
20. Mowrey, DB, The Scientific
Validation of Herbal Medicine, p. 193, 1986
21. Weiner, M, Weiner's Herbal,
p. 94, 1992
Validation
of Holistic Recommendations
22. Christiansen, L, et al., Journal
of Abnormal Psychology, vol. 94, pp. 565-579, 1985
23. Salzer, HR, Journal of the
National Medical Association, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 12-17, 1966
24. Quillin, P, Healing Nutrients,
p. 213, 1987
25. Ross, DM, et al., Hyperactivity,
p. 3, 1982
26. Fredericks, C, Carlton Fredericks'
Nutrition Guide, p. 91, 1982
27. Lowenstein, FW, Bibliotheca
Nutrito et Dieta, vol. 30, 1981
28. Quillin, P, Healing Nutrients,
p. 219, 1987
29. Hale, F, Biological Psychiatry,
vol. 17, p. 125, 1983
30. Cornwell, N, et al., Clinical
Pharmacology, vol. 41, p. 201, 1987
31. Sato, Y, et al., International
Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 7, p. 307, 1986
32. Nutrition and Mental Health:
Hearings Before the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human
Needs of the United States Senate, Parker House, Berkely,
Ca, p. 70, 1980
33. Taylor, CB, et al., Public
Health Reports, vol. 100, no. 2, p. 195, 1985
