Let us take an easy one of the depression alternatives to start with. Exercise. Now before you groan inwardly, look at this shocking statistic. According to a report from the Mental Health Foundation, exercise may be just as effective in treating depression as antidepressants! One study showed that regular exercise about three times a week was just as effective as being on antidepressants. Often, a lack of exercise can actually be one the contributing factors to the onset of depression in the first instance. This must be the top of the alternative treatments for depression.
Almost everyone can do exercise. The benefits are enormous for general health but for depression, experts note that after exercise, patients feel and look happier because of the release of endorphins which have a positive impact on our mood. Then there are all the other benefits as well such as looking better so that your self confidence receives a boost. Stress, anxiety and sleep problems improve as well. There is the social element too which should not be underestimated as we know that socialising on any level can be a help to a depressed patient. Those people lucky enough to have close affectionate relationships with partner, family and or friends have a much lower possibility of getting depressed. You may wonder why this has got so little attention as one of the best alternative treatments for depression.
Fish oil might sound smelly but it can do wonders for the depressed state of mind. We are talking here about diet because let’s face it the food we eat has an immediate and lasting effect on our state of mind and our general mental well being. Look at the results of a study done where depressed patients were given 1 gram of fish oil a day and the symptoms of sadness, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, insomnia and loss of libido all dropped by 50%. If you are suffering from depression, get some fish oil into your diet. That can be in the form of pharmaceutical grade capsules or by eating salmon, tuna, flaxseed oil and olive oil and nuts. Add complex carbohydrates, protein such as lean meat and a supply of Vitamin B and D foods and you will be well on the way to recovery. Diet, like exercise has been overshadowed in looking at the alternative treatments for depression.
The big pharm have been keeping very quiet about the poor results that antidepressants actually have in curing depression and obviously will not be rushing to put up websites on depression alternatives. The scandalous statistic is that anti depressant medications will actually only cure about one third of all cases! In about 5% of cases, depression symptoms will actually get worse. Given the side effects of antidepressants, isn’t it about time that more attention was given to herbal remedies as one of the best alternative treatments for depression? Other treatments consist of light therapy for SAD (seasonal affective disorder), meditation,yoga, counselling and cognitive behavior therapy.
Filed under Uncategorized by 
What will you do if you have to shell out thousands of dollars every year on dental procedures, check ups, treatment, and consultation for yourself and your family? Yes you surely want to…right? Well there is never a case when people do not want to save money especially in these recession times. But first, you should know the overall scenario and the actual benefits a plan offers.
In October 2008, The University of South Carolina released a study related to the dental problems, ailments, and natural obstacles faced by American children. The study also covered all the aspects of the current level of dental treatment provided to these children. The results were astonishing as 25 percent of children in US were estimated to not receive dental care last year. Imagine, sucha plight in a developed country like USA. The study also showed that African-American and Hispanic children were the worst losers with regards to dental coverage which is an alarming statistic in itself.
“Children are the first sacrificial lambs to neglect due to the high cost of dental procedures. It is a tragedy that such a high number of children go without dental insurance or any other dental coverage.”
The reality is that there are standard types of dental plans available for consumers to choose from and save on dental health. But many people are unaware of such plans and do not know if they can save on their dental expenses or not. Many people make the mistake of thinking that getting their teeth fixed is easy. Many resort to the traditional medium of dental insurance to solve their problems. They think that one just has to go and see an insurance agent, offline or online, and buy dental insurance. But, just like any other type of insurance, dental insurance does not cover any pre-existing condition and that is really bad.
It has been seen repeatedly that dental insurance plans have limitations on the number of dental visits, radiographs (X-rays) and treatments that are covered, and other services like cosmetic dental procedures may be excluded.
The percentage of Americans with untreated cavities began rising this decade, reversing a half-century trend of improvement in dental health.
In 2006, a study revealed that Arkansas children have the worst teeth in the USA, closely followed by California. According to the new study, over 70% of third graders in California suffer or have suffered from tooth decay. Hispanics and children from poorer families have the highest levels of tooth decay.
The study carried out by The Dental Health Foundation and officials said the problem is very closely linked to low income and ethnicity. They said that even though tooth decay was lower among children from higher income families, even there it was much higher than expected.
Tooth decay has been cited by both the reports as the single most common chronic childhood malady. Hence it is important for various agencies to support the cause and stress on the need for children to have good dental coverage during this developmental period in their lives. Due to negligence many children had to suffer from several oral health infections. Lack of dental services and treatment can also lead children to lack of self-esteem, depression, and constant interference with their routine activities.
Filed under Uncategorized by
Lots of people love organic black tea for its aroma, color and hearty taste. Hailing from ecological tea plantations of South-West China, it may be recognized by is robust aroma, brilliant clarity, red colorization and mellow taste. The camelilia sinensis plant tea leaf can also be eco-friendly being pollution-free of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, growth regulators and chemical additives in the course of food production. Natural resources will also be safeguarded by the organic growing methods utilized in tea farming. In lieu of dangerous chemicals, farmers compost, rotate crops and incorporate interplanting to control weeds and harmful insects while replenishing the soil and preserving the healthiness of the planet. To become deemed organic, these organic herbal tea farming methods should be in place for a minimum of 3 years.
Organic black tea is put through an oxidation process that enboldens its color and flavor making it more tasty. Steeping loose black tea is an option for consumption of the beneficial tea. The herbal tea also comes prepackaged in a tea bag. For the very best health benefit, search for loose leaf tea as it has had less processing.
Like any organic herbal tea, it may provide a great deal of benefits when drank regularly, which is five to eight cups a day. The advantages of black tea are found to be add up to those in green tea extract. Black tea benefits range from the following claims:
Decreasing the risk of cardiovascular related events by improving poor arterial functioning
Stopping stomach, colon and breast cancer by slowing cancer growth
Lowering the appearance of heart attacks and strokes
Considerably less amounts of caffeine than that of coffee
Encouraging weight reduction while reducing cortisol and serving as a diuretic
Decreasing blood sugar levels by curbing sugar absorption in your body
Enhancing metabolism
Stimulating the defense mechanisms
Soothing arthritis ailments
Fighting viruses by neutralizing germs associated with skin ailment, diarrhea, cystitis, pneumonia and herpes
Detoxifying cholesterol
Reducing inflammation
Improving breathing in asthma patients
Preventing osteoporosis
Protecting against cavities
Reducing stress
Improving the memory
Organic black tea can also wipe out viruses found in the mouth area if it is consumed every day. “Tea is beating all scientific expectations as the most potent health beverage ever,” says researcher John Weisburger in the American Health Foundation.”The various ways tea can promote health is truly astonishing.”
Filed under Uncategorized by
The longer an eating disorder goes untreated, the greater the chance there is of developing a depressive disorder, and yet at the same time, depression and other mental health problems are also known to increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. The fact is there is a relationship between depression and eating disorders and other mental health problems can coexist with both.
Both depression and eating disorders are becoming increasingly common. According to the Mental Health Foundation 10% of the population in the UK will experience some form of depression every year, and 2% of women as well as some men will suffer from an eating disorder. Anorexia is more likely to affect young women whereas bulimia is more likely to affect older women and is more common than anorexia. Compulsive eating affects both women and men equally and approximately 10% of all people with eating disorders are men.
What is a depressive disorder?
A depressive disorder can be defined as a set of symptoms ranging from mild to severe that coexist with overwhelming feelings of sadness and an inability to take pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed to the extent that they interfere with normal daily routines. There are several different types of depressive disorders including clinical depression, bipolar disorder or manic depression, post natal depression, seasonal affective disorder or SAD and post traumatic stress disorder. No one knows why some people become depressed and not others, but low self esteem is known to increase the risk of developing a depressive disorder and is also an underlying factor in eating disorders.
Symptoms of depression
• Feeling tired and lethargic for most of the time
• Persistent low moods and sadness, a feeling of despondency
• Sleep disturbances, either inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• A pessimistic outlook on life
• Feeling anxious and nervous
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, low self esteem
• Frightening and irrational thoughts
• Loss of pleasure in activities and lack of interest in sex
• Avoidance of social contact and social situations
• Changes in appetite involving either loss of appetite or an increased appetite and associated weight loss or weight gain
• Emotional outbursts for no apparent reason
• Irritability
Eating disorders
There are three main types of eating disorders and these include:
• Anorexia Nervosa – characterised by a fear of putting on weight to such an extent that the person doesn’t eat or eats very little, sometimes to the extent that they can starve themselves to death. By controlling what, when, and if they eat, they feel safe, secure and in control. Feelings behind anorexia include a low self esteem, a distorted self image and fear of rejection. It is a potentially life threatening condition.
• Bulimia Nervosa – someone with bulimia eats copious amounts of food and then feel guilty and out of control so try to purge themselves by vomiting, starving themselves or taking laxatives. It is harder to detect than anorexia because the weight remains relatively stable and the sufferer keeps their behaviour hidden, it is also more common than anorexia.
• Compulsive eating – involves eating for comfort or for emotional security and is characterised by nibbling all day without being able to stop. People who eat compulsively are usually overweight. It can be a way of denying or avoiding problems and is often associated with low self esteem, feelings of worthlessness, loneliness and emptiness.
Possible triggers of depression and eating disorders
There is not a single cause that will trigger either depression or an eating disorder as combinations of factors are involved. For example:
• Stressful events and experiences such as problems at home, bullying, abuse, loss of someone close, rejection, failing at school or work, coping with puberty, worries about sexuality, etc. can all result in a extreme stress which can act as a trigger.
• Either physical or mental health problems can trigger an eating disorder or depression. For example, someone struggling with a physical illness or disability can become depressed. Depression or anxiety related disorders can trigger an eating disorder, and someone with an eating disorder can develop depression – both are linked.
• Low self esteem and feelings of insecurity or feeling out of control of ones life can increase the risk of developing depression or an eating disorder or both.
Some other psychological disorders that can accompany eating disorders include:
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Manic depression
• Panic disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Attention Deficit Disorder
At the root of eating disorders are negative feelings including low self esteem, guilt, shame, sadness, anger, stress, feeling deserving of pain and punishment, all of which can be symptoms of depression too.
Conclusion
The biggest step to combating both depression and any eating disorder is to admit there is a problem in the first place as many people will deny there is anything wrong and without appropriate treatment, these mental health problems can continue indefinitely, and can even be life threatening. It is absolutely essential to seek help from a qualified medical professional in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment, support and guidance to ensure a full recovery.
Filed under Uncategorized by
