“...So when we're stressed, we look
haggard. This is just for women, not men!”- Cameron Diaz in
The Holiday
While holiday stress affects all of it,
statistics show that women are 70% more likely than men to experience
depression in their lifetime.
This time of year, is supposed to be
the “happiest time of the year”, but let's face it. It's
stressful. There's all of those expensive gifts, and the extra time
spent with family, the increased holiday traffic, and the songs about
snow when all we get is rain and gray... and stress affects your body
the same, no matter if it is good stress or bad stress. In addition,
the limited filtered sunlight that we get this time of the year
contributes to a vitamin D deprivation in most of us, which has been
linked to depression. So here in Washington, the happiest time of the
year is also for many, well, depressing.
This is a wonderful time of the year,
but if you are feeling overwhelmed by the 'holiday cheer', or
otherwise gloomy, you're not alone. Now before you grab some eggnog,
a gingerbread man, and pop some xanax, consider there may be a real
biological reason for what is going on with your mood, and I'm not
talking about a mental disorder. I am talking about nutrition.
The food we eat affects our moods. The
vitamins we take, or don't take, and even the prescription drugs we
take can pay their tole on our bodies and minds. What many people are
not aware of it that certain habits, foods, and even
doctor-prescribed medications rob your body of essential vitamins and
minerals, either by blocking their absorption, or causing you to
excrete them at a faster than normal rate. This is one of the many
reasons holistic medicine is growing in popularity. The body is an
interconnected system, and mood is definitely a major part of it.
I could go on, but instead of
continuing this as a lengthy discussion, I will provide you with some
very thought provoking facts that I have come across.
Fact: Women who are taking oral
contraceptives are likely to be deficient in zinc, folic acid,
vitamin C, B6, and B12.(They are also more vulnerable to blood clots,
stroke and heart attack).
Fact: Women who are on the pill need B6
(necessary for normal tryptophan metabolism) in the amount of FIFTY
to ONE HUNDRED times the amount needed by a non-pill user.
Fact: The following is a list of drugs
and medicines that (in varying degrees) rob your body of essential
nerve regulating nutrients: Adrenocorticoids, Ammonium chloride,
Arthritis medicines, Antihistamines, Antihypertensives, Baclofen,
Barbiturates, Beta-Blockers (INDERAL), Chloramphenicol, Diuretics,
Estrogens, Fluorides, Glutehimide (DORIDEN), Indomethacin (INDOCIN),
Isoniazid (INH, NYDRAZIN), Laxatives, lubricant, Meprednisone
(BETAPAR), Methotraxate (MEXATE), Nitrofurantoin (FURADANTIN,
MACROFANTIN), Oral contraceptives, Penicillamine (CUPRIMINE),
Penicillin, Phenylbutazone (AZOLID, BUTAZOLIDIN), Phenytoin
(DILANTIN), Potassium supplements, Prednisone, Procainamide,
Propozyphene (DARVON), Pyrimethamine (DARAPRIM), Sulfonamides,
Tetracyclines, Triamterene (DYRNIUM), Trimethobenzamide (TIGAN).
Fact: It was a pain in the ass typing
out all of the names of those drugs and medications and I probably
spelled some of them wrong.
Fact: Sugar (as a refined carb, alcohol
etc) can rob the body of B vitamins.
Fact: Caffeine can rob the body of
Vitamin C, Vitamin B, zinc and potassium.
Fact: Research has shown that the
majority of those who are mentally or emotionally-ill are deficient
in one of the B-complex vitamins or Vitamin C.
Fact: Deficiencies in zinc, folic acid,
vitamin C, B6, and B12 are linked depression and nervousness.
Fact: Even a normal, happy person can
become depressed or experience unusual emotional turbulence when made
deficient in niacin or folic acid.
Fact: Vitamin B1 (thiamine) in
above-average amounts can help alleviate depression and anxiety
attacks.
Fact: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) Aids in
the proper production of natural antidepressants such as dopamine and
norepinephrine.
Fact: Vitamin C is essential for
combating stress.
Fact: The
body cannot store vitamin C, so you need to consume it daily in order
to avoid a deficiency.
Fact: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) helps
relieve irritability, improve concentration, increase energy, and
maintain a healthy nervous system.
Fact: Vitamin B-12 is plentiful in
animal products such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs and milk.
Fact: To be filled with energy and
strength you need B vitamins because they help to release energy from
the foods you eat by converting proteins, carbohydrates and fats into
fuel.
Fact: Vitamin B deficiency is common
among athletes, elderly people, vegetarians, pregnant and nursing
women and women taking birth control pills. People, who eat lots of
sweets, refined and processed foods and very little fresh vegetables,
fruits and whole grains, are at risk to develop vitamin B deficiency.
Alcoholics are also among those whose vitamin B levels are very low.
Fact: Folic acid deficiencies have been
found to be contributing factors in mental illness.
Fact: Calcium alleviates tension,
irritability and promotes relaxation.
I hope you find something useful in
all of this, and do indeed have a “jolly holiday”.
