Using Nutrition & Vitamins to Treat Ills like Depression & Allergies?

I highly recommend Potatoes, Not Prozac for a good synopsis on the workings of brain and body chemistry and how to treat with nutrition and awareness of body cycles.

I began my researach into vitamins, nutrition and supplements when my teen daughter began suffering panic attacks and depression. A psychiatrist prescribed Prozac for her (which she hated! and stopped taking) and also a supplement called Stress X by BioGenesis (available through Amazon - we never bought that, instead I bought the individual vitamins/supplements specifically for her needs - Bs, Omegas, Inisotol, etc.. )

She's done fine with the healthy diet approach. (My son is bipolar and I plan to give him a copy of this book as well.) Best wishes!

I kinda sit on both sides of the fence.

As a traditionally trained RN, I do see the benefit and need of some medication. Now, having said that, I do believe that almost anything can be improved with better nutrition and holistic/alternative medicine.

I now visit my chiropractor fairly regularly because I now understand the benefits of chiropractic care.

I can tell you from personal experience that once I got my diet shaped up, a lot of my PMS and early menopause symptoms also got better, about 10 years ago.

And I am a firm believer in the LOCAL honey to help with allergies. Last fall when everyone else was complaining, I had probably my best hay-fever season of my life and I do credit using local honey.

I do take some vitamins and supplements that I research very carefully. I don't just take the latest and greatest or what is the newest media darling.

I have done a lot of reading and research over the years and have now changed my nursing to more preventative care and wellness education.
One of my favorite books that explains the health benefits of certain foods is, The Worlds Healthiest Foods, Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating by George Mateljan.

Yet, I still believe in chemical imbalances and believe that medication may be needed , maybe not permanently, for things like depression. So just be careful.

Good Luck to you and feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Lori

You can absolutely treat many ills, even depression, with proper nutrition, exercise, etc. Going organic and getting rid of toxins can help a lot!

But I did see a quote recently, and to paraphrase it, it said:

"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, surrounded by a-holes."

True! Check your company. You can make a lot of symptoms disappear by the company you keep...

I am all for natural cures. But don't forget the spiritual component. Studies show that a person only adds 4 years to their lives for having low cholesterol and only 4 years to their lives for having good blood pressure. But a person can add many years by being happy, well adjusted, and being able to handle stress.

I have dealt with a lot of issues through the years. I can't even begin to say how much better I feel since putting more effort into my spiritual life. Everything I've done this year has been very much on purpose. Now I sleep better and feel better in every way.

Local honey is a great way to check those allergies, too! Good luck!

Do not stop taking prescribed medication without your doctors consent, you can really mess yourself up... especially the antidepressant.

We are not doctors. Talk to your doctor.

ETA: Yes, doctors do deal with drugs, the one's you're saying you want to stop taking. Don't do that. Please stay on your meds.

For the eczema, I would recommend a good probiotic. My son had severe eczema, and when we found the right probiotic, his symptoms reduced within 2 days. Didn't clear up, but hey, using less steroid cream is always a good thing! I could say a whole lot about getting rid of eczema naturally, but I think I will settle for sending you to the blog I wrote about my son's experiences: http://mybabyhaseczema.com Granted, your husband isn't a baby, but there are many things that apply to any age, tests you may want to ask his doctor about, etc.

If you can find a naturopath, he or she will probably be able to help you work up a nutrition plan. He would probably run some tests to see if you are deficient in any area, and then supplement specifically for that, and/or recommend foods that are rich in the nutrients you are lacking. Of course, a good Vitamin B supplement (meaning injection or sublingual) could be helpful with the depression.

Dr. Neil Nedley runs a very successful depression recovery program. You can check his site, http://www.drnedley.com/, to see if there are classes in your area, or to get more information. He is an MD that has chosen to follow a much more "wholistic" approach to medicine, which includes things like diet and nutrition. I think you would learn a lot from his site.

I personally take vitamins. I have taken various kinds over the years, but have only noticed results with two. One is Vibe, from the company Eniva. It costs about $50 for a month's supply of the liquid vitamins. Now, I take Melaleuca's Vitality Pack, which costs about $20 for a month's supply, is in pill form (small pills, too), and I get the same results or better. What results? More energy, even when I am sleep deprived. More emotional stability. That one is big. My husband doesn't like it when I have a melt down, and as long as I consistently take my vitamins, I don't seem to. The reason seems to be that these two vitamins have a very high absorption rate, as opposed to pretty much every other vitamin on the market.

Speaking of Melaleuca, they make a really great lotion that also made a difference in my son's eczema: Renew. It's the reason we started using Melaleuca products--I had to get it, because I could see results, and it was the first lotion or cream that I had ever seen noticeable results with. Then I tried the vitamins and the cleaning products, and, well, I was hooked! Not that I'm trying to sell you on them, but if you know someone who gets their products, you might ask about the Renew and the vitamins.

I could go on and on about nutrition and diet, but I think that's a good place to call it quits. Check out the links, and good luck!

I grew up with a father who was a nutrition-nut. At age 6 I swallowed a bevy of vitamins every morning as he carefully explained each one. So I have a long history. I also have had few illnesses, and the serious ones I've had were caused by doctors giving me overdoses of meds.
As for allergies, I highly recommend Probiotic Sinus Ease by Nature's Life. This builds up the immune system so you just don't get sick. Allergies pull down the immune system which then is subject to secondary infections, i.e. sore throat, sinus infections, etc. It's a pineapple-flavored liquid--sort of thick--that you keep in the fridge. Two tbls a day keeps the doctor away!
I've read recently that high doses of Omega 3 supplement have made huge differences in people suffering depression. Personally, I take 3,000 mgs a day that are enteric coated so I don't burp the fish taste. The B-Complex vitamins are essential for good mental/brain health. Vitamin C is becoming more and more significant, too. Of course, vitamins alone won't do it all. Eliminating as much white stuff out of your diet as possible is huge. White sugar, white flour, etc. In other words, cut the junk and sodas. This is especially true when dealing with PMS. Salt and Caffeine are the worst culprits and should be reduced 10 days prior to a period. Read and educate yourself. Doctors do not study nutrition---a statement I heard from the mouth of a doctor's wife! They study diseases and treatments, but do not study prevention of diseases. It's your body, so take charge of it! Be careful of pulling off any prescribed medication too quickly if you've been on it a while. This too can cause problems. Good luck.

I will second (or third?) the local honey for allergies. It works and it tastes yummy. St. John's Wort, vitamins D and B6, and fish oil can help with *minor* depression (make sure you don't take the wort with an antidepressant). St. John's Wort can also help with PMS as can Valerian and licorice. Neem can help with skin conditions. Cinnamon and peppermint can help an upset stomach.

I find I feel better and don't catch colds when I take a multivitamin.

I do medicinal food instruction panels for people who would like to treat themselves through diet. I don't charge for these, or sell anything and I do them by email. Send me a message and I would be happy to help.

A little background on me, I am a 22-year cancer survivor and I practice what I preach. My goal is to get everyone I meet out of the pharmaceutical cycle. I am on the board of the Denton Organic Society and believe that whole foods are the answer to a happy, healthy life and the survival of the planet.

Cheers!

Absolutely. I have a testimony too long to post on here. It all started when I found a holistic pediatrician and she lead me to who she refers to as her "doctor." (yes, an MD referred me to a non-MD doc). I have gone to him ever since!!! Nutrition is great but there is a micro-nutrition component! Using a QRA testing method and supplements, as well as detoxification strategies, it is amazing the results. Follow your gut until you feel you have found the answers you need; they are out there!!!

http://chalmerswellness.com

N., go on this website and print out the page that has all the nutitional facts and take it to the doc with you. I have been taking these vitamins/minerals for years and have seen a huge difference in many areas of health. http://www.GBGisIT.com They just added probiotics to their formula as an added benefit!!! Message me if you have any questions! =)

The nutrition I have taken for over four years now has done away with my allergies. A friend of mine, an OB/GYN, learned about it from me and was so pleased it helped her eczema. Not only that, it was the first time in all these years of practice she didn't have to close her practice for a week due to allergies and largyngiitis. She is very much into health and wellness using natural foods, which is what this is. She has her whole family on it! .

There are many testimonies of it helping depression, tho I know no one personally that I can report on. The nutrition is liquid, 97% absorbable, and it helps the body just heal itself of all sorts of things. It is a blessing to me! It was an answer to prayer to get the use of my hands back from RA, and 11 other things put under control, like no more allergy pills and doctor visits for sinus infections for the last four years. If you would like to call me and ask questions you may. I can refer you to my doctor friend who is now using it in her practice to offer wellness to her patients for other questions. Since taking it, i have been taken off cholesterol meds and allergy meds! My number is on my website. http://annnoble.vemma.com/ Feel free to call with questions. Health is such a gift!

I am a nutritionist and have found 100% success with holistic medicine including severe allergies, hypothyroid, brain injury, back and neck injury, eczema, pre-menopause, chronic sinus infections, and chronic bronchitis. There are probably more things, but I made the change to holistic medicine 22 years ago, and can't remember everything. I agree with Rachel D. DO NOT quit taking any medication until your doctor says it is okay. Try earthclinic.com for ideas, but do further research before trying anything that seems odd. Since the car accident (brain injury, neck and back injury) occurred in 1998 I have only taken medication 3 times, once for hypothyroid (disaster), and twice for an infection in the lining of my nose (long story).