Nutrition advice with CNM
Your queries about natural health answered by Jacquie Lane for the College of Naturopathic Medicine
Dear Jacquie,
Even the festive merriment can’t stop me feeling down for no reason. Is there anything I can eat to buck up my ideas?
T.W, Brighton
Diet and lifestyle play a huge part in our mental health. If your doctor has ruled out medical contributions such as thyroid dysfunction, then address your diet.
When making food decisions, remember that what you eat directly and indirectly influences your energy levels, moods, food cravings, stress levels, sleep habits and inherited genetic traits.
Some foods are known to be mood-lowering. Wheat is one of them, so try switching to rye breads instead. Reducing sugar in your diet will help stop your blood sugar levels swinging high and then low, causing mood swings. Choose good quality wholegrain carbohydrates such as porridge, oat cakes and brown rice, plus fruits and vegetables and good quality proteins.
Caffeine can play havoc with our moods as it’s a stimulant that will be followed by a slump in energy and mood. Try switching coffee for a dandelion or barley substitute. For tea try Rooibush or green tea. Cut the alcohol! It makes depression worse by reducing the feel-good hormone serotonin, on which our moods rely.
During the first hour of sleep serotonin turns into melatonin in the pineal gland. This puts you into a deep sleep state and ignites your growth hormone to help you rejuvenate. Serotonin is manufactured from an amino acid called tryptophan, found in certain protein rich foods such as turkey, eggs, chicken, cottage cheese, cooked tofu, beans, lentils, legumes plus bananas and oats, so make sure you’re getting your fair share.
Our brain is 60 per cent fat and needs essential fatty acids for cell protection and function so eat more of the brain enhancing omega 3 foods such as fresh tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, flaxseeds, nuts, seeds and avocados.
There are many useful remedies available containing herbs and nutrients which your nutritional advisor could prescribe.
Finally, never underestimate the power of sunlight, exercise, self esteem and laughter. Make some new plans for 2014 so that you can feel as though you have control over some of life’s issues.
See your health professional for advice.
CNM open evening
8th January 6.30pm–8.30pm
Free Open Evening – find out about CNM training to become a nutritional therapist. More info: 01342 410505 www.naturopathy-uk.com
Jacquie Lane is both a lecturer and the Director of Studies at CNM, (College of Naturopathic Medicine) in Brighton. Jacquie also runs her own nutrition clinic and manages a biological testing lab specialising in digestive issues. Email Jacquie at: sunshinenutrition@hotmail.co.uk
