Is your depression and anxiety caused by blood sugar imbalances?

I just had a client come to me with depression and anxiety. After looking over her blood work results that she brought in from a recent doctor's visit, in combination with what I observed and her symptoms, my conclusion was that she has a blood sugar issue (in addition to the obvious mental and emotional elements involved in depression that would need to be addressed). Specifically, I suspect she has hypoglycemia. When her blood sugar plummets, due to diet and hormone issues, her adrenals are required to "step it up" and offer some support for her flagging energy, by causing surges of adrenaline. So not only does she get the lack of energy and low mood of depression, but the adrenaline causes anxiety, angry outbursts and a spinning mind (you know, the "wired but tired" feeling you get sometimes when you are trying to go to sleep?).

She is also getting dizzy spells and chest pains, as well as cold extremities and poor circulation (a result of being in the "fight or flight" state, where blood is directed away from the extremities into the large muscles of the upper legs and the heart). Waking up after about 3 hours of sleep is also an indicator of blood sugar imbalance.

So what do you do if this sounds all to familiar?

1) You need to eliminate or greatly restrict simple sugars from your diet, from obvious sources like baking, sweets and pop, as well a "non-obvious" sources of simple sugar, like fruit juice.  You will also need to limit carbohydrates or starchy foods that reduce to a sugar easily in the body, like grains and root vegetables. You can find lists of where foods are on the Glycemic Index (the rate which a food turns to sugar in your system) here, or a search engine to tell you the glycemic index of any food here (low is 55 or less; high is 70 and above).

2) You may find supplementing with chromium helpful. This trace mineral is often low in people with blood sugar balance issues.

3) Reflexology and acupuncture are both modalities that help balance hormones naturally, as well as help to bring blood sugar back into balance. They will also help to heal the adrenal glands so you can relax and stop worrying. Plus, they just feel good!

If you have depression and/or anxiety, there is many possible causes - blood sugar imbalance is just one possiblity (though a common one). Talk to your doctor and have him do blood tests to check, and ask for advice from a trained health practitioner if you suspect this might be your issue.

Constipated? Just poop!

When we talk about letting go, in terms of health, often it can mean letting go of more than just emotions. Constipation is one of the most common chronic conditions in the western world, and as funny as this baby makes it look, anyone who knows the heaviness, bloating and lethargy that accompanies constipation knows it ain't no joke! So what do you do to relieve constipation? I have some ideas! Ask a reflexologist to show you where you colon is on your feet, or check online (or even better, get a session - it's very therapeutic, and worse case scenario - you get a fantastic foot rub!). Reflexology is AMAZING for relieving a "back up in your back end". Babies and young children especially respond quickly. My 2 year old niece's feet were congested in the colon area, so I rubbed them for 5 minutes. Within 10 minutes she had a bowel movement so large it could pass for an adult's. Too much information, you say? Get over it - it's natural! Avoid harsh herbs like cascara sagrada and senna, as well as laxatives. They can intensify the very symptoms they are meant to treat, cause cramping, and with overuse can even cause liver problems. Instead, opt for peppermint and ginger teas to gently promote digestion and ease tension. Eat more raw, living foods, and take digestive enzymes. Raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and even meat have enzymes that are critical to your digestion; without them, especially as you age, you won't be able to process your meals as easily and constipation (as well as fatigue, weight gain and headaches, just to name a few symptoms) will result. After age 35, it is also recommended that you supplement with Betaine (from beet root) that mimics your stomachs hydrochloric acid, which lowers significantly as you age. In the morning, as soon as you wake up, drink 1-2 glasses of tepid to warm water, pace around while rubbing your entire abdomen area in a clockwise fashion, paying special attention to any tender or tight areas. Then, regardless of the need or not, sit on the toilet for a minute with your knees elevated (use a low stool or stack of magazines). Do this everyday for a week and you will train your body to have a morning bowel movement. Get a massage therapist trained in abdominal massages (we have Leila for this!) to work out tension in your abdomen and help your system restore its natural elimination. Often, organs can become "stuck" and releasing them will also help you release your poop! If you're constipated, its time to let go. Start with these 5 tips and you are well on your way to a happier tummy!