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NATURAL WAYS TO BOOST SEROTONIN

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How are you doing? I mean, really, how are you doing? If you’ve noticed you’re leaning into a more depressive state, then please know that you’re not alone.

Modern living, with all the pressure that comes with it, has taken us further away from a health-centric lifestyle and driven us more towards tech, isolation, and unhealthy attempts to cope.

IMPORTANCE OF THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS

But before you run to an MD for an anti-depressant, let’s talk about the gut-brain axis.

Pubmed.gov states, “The gut-brain axis (GBA) consists of bidirectional communication between the central and the enteric nervous system, linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions.” (1)

A direct link exists between the health of the gut (often called the “second brain”) and our moods, brain function, and immune system.

Also, according to pubmed.gov, “The gut microbiota – the trillions of bacteria that reside within the gastrointestinal tract – has been found to not only be an essential component (of) immune and metabolic health, but also seems to influence development and diseases of the enteric and central nervous system, including motility disorders, behavioral disorders, neurodegenerative disease, cerebrovascular accidents, and neuroimmune-mediated disorders.” (2)

That’s a lot of (dis) orders and (dis) eases!

When gut bacteria are depleted, the brain suffers.

The food we eat affects physical health and mental and emotional health – more proof of the close connection between the gut and brain.

It’s also clear that certain thoughts, or emotions, affect gastro functions. Have you ever had a “gut feeling”? Well, you’re not the only one.

This appropriate name is no coincidence as we do “feel” with our guts. Stress responses, within the brain, signal hormones and neurotransmitters to go into action. They travel through the gut-brain axis, thus creating gut hypersensitivity.

Which of us hasn’t had “butterflies”, in our stomach, due to nervousness or lost our appetite during a time of grief? Even mainstream medicine admits that excessive worry, and anxiety, play a role in inflammatory bowel diseases and can cause stomach ulcers.

THE “FEEL GOOD” CHEMICAL

Up to 95% of the serotonin is made in the gut. Serotonin is popularly known as the “feel good” chemical.

Most prescription-strength anti-depressants attempt to control serotonin function within the brain. This, however, is an extremely short-sided approach since very little serotonin is produced within the brain.

Gut health is an integral part of brain health. It plays a role in mental and emotional health. This includes mood regulation. It should, at least, be considered when attempting to aid depression sufferers.

NATURAL WAYS TO BOOST SEROTONIN

Here are some suggestions for those interested in boosting serotonin production, naturally.

 – Increase B Vitamins. Vitamins B1, B3, B6, and B9 play a significant role in serotonin function. These B vitamins help convert tryptophan into serotonin. Think about how happy, and contented you feel, after a turkey (full of the amino acid, tryptophan) dinner. You can thank the tryptophan-boosted serotonin levels, and whoever made the meal, for that!

When B vitamin intake is reduced, serotonin function and availability decreases.

– Increase Folate intake. A clear connection exists between mood swings and a lack of folate. Depression is commonly seen in those with this deficiency. Studies have proven a strong correlation between folate deficiency and depression, among other mental symptoms.

Folic acid should be avoided as it is a synthetic form of folic acid.

Folate-rich foods include bananas, oranges, brussels sprouts, kidney beans, romaine lettuce, avocadoes, mustard greens, spinach asparagus, and beef liver.

– Increase Omega 3 fatty acid intake. Omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential to serotonin production. DHA is necessary for brain development and EPA assists with behavior and mood.

Dr. Parris M. Kidd, of the University of Berkeley, CA, states the following, “In double-blind, randomized, controlled trials, DHA and EPA combinations have been shown to benefit attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and aggression. For the affective disorders, meta-analyses confirm benefits in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder, with promising results in schizophrenia and initial benefit for borderline personality disorder.” (3)

When choosing an Omega 3 supplement, purchase “cold-pressed”. Products created using a heating method will produce free radicals in the body. This causes inflammation and a possible autoimmune response – doing more harm than good.

Omega 3 fatty acid-rich foods include mackerel, salmon, anchovies, flax seed, walnuts, chia seeds, pasture-raised eggs, spinach, brussels sprouts, meat and dairy from grass-fed animals.

– Exercise. Exercising, consistently, may play a role in serotonin production. According to livestrong.com, “One 2014 study in the European Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies found that even mild to moderate levels of exercise, two to three times a week, can reduce symptoms of depression, though the quantities of blood level serotonin tested in a small sample size of individuals were not found to be highly significant.” (4)

At the very least, moving our bodies helps keep us fit and feeling well.

– Spend time outdoors in nature and sunlight. Light therapy has become a popular way to help sufferers of Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD). It aids in Vitamin D production. When Vitamin D is low, serotonin levels will not be optimal. This can be applied to those who suffer from non-seasonal affective disorder, as well as depression.

If you’re interested in light therapy, safely expose yourself to the sun, or a light box, often.

– Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation negatively impacts serotonin pathways. Likewise, serotonin plays a major role in maintaining proper sleep patterns. Getting a solid 8 hours, of sleep, every night ought to be the goal.

Proper sleep hygiene is a must for serotonin production, as well as for overall health.

– Work on Stellar Gut Health. One probiotic strain, Lactobacillus, increases serotonin. Supplementing with probiotics, and digestive enzymes, eating probiotic-laced foods, and avoiding pharmaceutical antibiotics help ensure that the number of good bacteria, in the gut, remains at an optimal level.

Click on this link to learn about natural antibiotics: https://shalomtotalwellness.com/2022/09/05/top-5-natural-antibiotics/

The healthier our guts are, the more able they will be to aid in serotonin production.

– Think positively! Serotonin levels affect moods and moods affect serotonin levels. This goes both ways. There is a direct link between the quality of our thought life and our moods. The more we allow negativity to invade our lives, the more our inner thought lives will suffer.

Meditate on things that fall into the Philippians 4:8 category and protect your eye and ear gates.

– Choose a Life of Shalom. Stress increases cortisol levels and decreases serotonin. It can’t always be avoided. Life tends to happen. This includes unpleasant things that are beyond our control. However, we can control how we choose to respond to those things.

Rather than living, in reaction, respond with shalom. We can roll our cares onto Yeshua (Jesus), trusting Him to walk us through all our days…the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus in Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

Difficult seasons, of life, exist. Depression is real. But you can be the boss of your thoughts and feelings!

Boosting serotonin levels using natural methods does take a bit of purposefulness. However, it’s well worth the effort.

You’re well worth the effort AND more powerful than you may realize!

I pray this was encouraging to you. May GOD give you the wisdom, and guidance you need for your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Shalom to you,

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2

Excerpts of this blog were taken from the book Shalom Total Wellness: Biblical Principles for Health & Healing by Dr. Sheli Ricci. Available on Amazon and barnesandnoble.com.

References:

  • Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C. The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015 Apr-Jun;28(2):203-209. PMID: 25830558; PMCID: PMC4367209.
  • Strandwitz P. Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain Res. 2018;1693(Pt B):128-133. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.015 [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6005194]
  • Kidd PM. Omega-3 DHA and EPA for cognition, behavior, and mood: clinical findings and structural-functional synergies with cell membrane phospholipids. Altern Med Rev. 2007 Sep;12(3):207-27. 152 PMID: 18072818. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nml.nih.gov/18072818/]
  • [www.livestrong.com/article/22590-effects-exercise-serotonin-levels/]

Antibiotics, Gut Health

Top 5 Natural Antibiotics

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Antibiotic use, or perhaps I should say overuse, causes catastrophic damage to the health of an individual. What one may think of as a “quick fix” may cause a short-term remission of infection. However, the eventual long-term damage is far more distressing, often overlooked, and points to the original problem – compromised gut health.

 Prescription strength antibiotics will indeed wipe out the bad bacteria (infection), that one is facing, but they are nondiscriminatory and wipe out good bacteria as well. This leaves one more open to allergic reactions, auto-immune distress and all sorts of maladies that would have naturally been prevented if the microbiome, of the individual, had not been tampered with.

The bacteria, in our gut, is our first defense against sickness and disease. When we don’t take care of the bacteria, we lose that protective barrier.

One way to protect gut bacteria is to avoid taking prescription strength antibiotics. If you do find yourself with an infection, internal or external, before turning to prescription strength medication, consider trying one of the natural substances that Creator God has blessed us with.

There are many options, readily available to us, found within nature. These God given antibiotics won’t wipe out good bacteria and will give your immune system a boost in the process.

 BLACK SEED OIL

Touted as the “cure for everything except death”, black seed oil (Nigella sativa) is a powerful ally against many physical maladies, including internal and external infections. It also works to speed up healing.

In fact, research shows that black seed oil can even be used against “super bugs” – infections that are antibiotic resistant.

As with any oil, used therapeutically or to cook with, black seed oil must be purchased in an organic, raw and “cold pressed” state. When an oil is created using a pressing method that utilizes heat, it creates free radicals and can cause more harm than good, when consumed.

*Caution: Due to its tendency to burn the throat, you may want to add the black seed oil to some juice, and then swallow. I would recommend against taking on an empty stomach.

COLLOIDAL SILVER

Used as far back as ancient Greco Roman times, solid silver has long been known as a very effective healing substance. In modern times, silver has been used in colloidal form which simply means that it has been broken down into very small particles and is now suspended in a different matter, or liquid.

Once in the presence of colloidal silver, single-cell bacteria (such as fungus, some infections and viruses) are destroyed. The silver literally chokes out the enzymes that feed single-cell bacteria, thus starving out the bacteria and killing them.

Another major benefit of using silver, as a natural antibiotic, is that it leaves good bacteria alone – unlike prescription antibiotic drugs. This is good news for the times we’re living in, where over[1]usage of prescription strength antibiotics has created infections that no longer respond to modern drugs.

Colloidal silver is a secret weapon that more people are waking up to. It can be used to help benefit many illnesses and is seen as being safe enough for internal, as well as external use. Some people use it for its immune system boosting effects during what is known as cold and flu season.

Colloidal silver gets a bad rap among some health professionals. As always, research the benefits, as well as risks, in order to make your own informed decision.

 GARLIC

Fresh, raw, garlic in its natural form should be crushed and then left alone to sit for 10 minutes in order to allow the potency to surface. Just remember that cooking the actual garlic or heating it up to any degree, will destroy the active ingredient in garlic – allicin – which will, in turn, take away the healing properties.

For internal infection, garlic can be chewed and swallowed directly or chopped and then added to liquids, honey, or food, and then consumed. A therapeutic dose should contain at least 4 garlic cloves at a time. For serious infection, consider consuming a therapeutic dose, twice a day.

Garlic can be used for external infections as well. Once again, fresh, raw garlic should be crushed and then set aside for 10 minutes to allow the allicin to come to its maximum potency. Then the garlic can be directly added to honey, or coconut oil, and then applied to the affected area of skin. This would also work with combating fungal infections. Use this method of application twice a day until the skin clears up.

As a side note, garlic also helps stimulate cancer fighting cells. It’s truly a powerhouse of health benefits!

*Caution: To avoid an upset stomach, do not take garlic on an empty stomach. Since garlic is so strong, it’s possible that it may kill some of the healthy bacteria in the gut. Supplementing with probiotics will help insure this will not be a problem.

OREGANO OIL

This well-known remedy has been around for centuries and is just as effective, against coughs, colds, and infections as it is old. Its active ingredient, carvacrol, is what causes oregano oil to be so powerful against harmful bacteria, making it another one of nature’s antibiotics.

For internal use, add oregano oil to a carrier oil such as coconut oil or grape seed oil, before ingestion. This cuts back on potential stomach upset as well as dilutes the strong flavor that is characteristic of this oil.

Oregano oil can also be used externally for psoriasis and fungal infection. In order to stave off burning, or irritation, oregano oil ought to be diluted with a carrier oil before placing on the affected areas. Avoid placing oil on open scrapes and wounds.

Oregano oil can also be deeply inhaled, or used in a steam inhalation, to help break up congestion, mucus, and bring overall relief from sinus infections, colds, and flu.

 *Strong Warning: Pregnant women, and women who are trying to conceive, are advised against using oregano oil due to its emmenagogue properties, meaning that it may induce menstruation which can harm the fetus. The therapeutic use of oregano oil is not recommended for infants, children or nursing women. Those with a heart condition, or high blood pressure, should avoid oregano oil use or, at least, consult their physician or natural healthcare practitioner before use.

RAW HONEY

Perhaps the most delicious antibiotic that nature yields is raw honey. In order to receive its therapeutic properties, honey must be labeled “organic”, “raw” or “unpasteurized”, and preferably, “local”.

The location where the honey has been gathered determines the specific ingredients found within the honey. It can even be said that relief for seasonal allergies can be found when one consumes the raw honey that has been gathered from bees that live, locally, to the allergy sufferer.

Raw honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase. This enzyme produces a natural form of hydrogen peroxide – a substance that has antibacterial properties. This makes raw honey an excellent option in terms of cleansing skin wounds and preventing infection.

One of the benefits of using raw honey, on external skin infections and wounds, is that it won’t sting or irritate the skin.

Raw honey can be consumed to help soothe a sore throat, boost energy, aid in digestive issues and improve immune health. Raw honey also has anti-inflammatory properties and, when combined with cinnamon, may provide relief to those who suffer from painful joints.

 *Strong Warning: Raw honey should never be given to infants due to the possibility that it could induce botulism. People who are insulin resistant ought to avoid, or take caution, when consuming honey.

Our bodies respond best to things that they recognize – plants, herbs, minerals. This connects us more deeply to Creator. This type of co-creating brings about the health and healing that we need. Besides that, it is incredibly empowering to walk away from pharmaceuticals and the systems of the world!

Shalom to you,

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
-3 John 1:2

References:

1) Salman, Mohd Tariq & Khan, Rahat & Shukla, Indu. (2008). Antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa Linn. seed oil against multi-drug resistant bacteria from clinical isolates. Nat. Prod. Radiance. 7.

2) Nicastro, H., Ross, S., and J. Milner. Garlic and onions: Their cancer prevention properties. Cancer Prevention Research. 2015. 8(3):181-189

Excerpts of this blog were taken from the book Shalom Total Wellness: Biblical Principles for Health & Healing by Dr. Sheli Ricci. Available on amazon, scribd, and barnesandnoble.com.