Nutrition Month

Showing posts with label mood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mood. Show all posts

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Can Herbalith help on the HCG diet?

Many diets do not address the emotional aspects of eating. Weight loss is very emotionally challenging, especially when following a restrictive very low calorie diet. There are many herbs in herbalith that can support a person while on this or any restrictive diet. Herbalith is a combination of herbs, lithium, and amino acids each of which may have a benefit during your weight loss efforts.

Neurotransmitter depletion may play a role in the mood, appetite, and weight loss cycle.

Weight Loss Dieting is the most common cause of self-induced neurotransmitter deficiencies. Limiting food intake in order to lose weight restricts the amounts of basic building blocks (neurotransmitter precursors) needed to produce enough neurotransmitters.
Studies from major universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Oxford, have documented that women on diets significantly deplete their serotonin within three weeks of dieting. This induced serotonin deficiency eventually leads to increased cravings, moodiness and poor motivation. These all contribute to rebound weight gain – the most common yet unfortunate consequence of dieting.
Increasing neurotransmitter production during dieting is strongly encouraged to avoid yo-yo dieting. This is accomplished by taking dietary neurotransmitter precursor supplements during dieting.




Passion Flower Weight Loss

Because of its effects on insomnia, passion flower extract is beneficial for weight loss. Studies have proven extensively that people who lack sleep or suffer from insomnia have problems losing weight. Getting the proper amount of sleep each night helps when following a weight loss plan.

Stress also produces cortisol, which is responsible for weight gain around the middle of the body. Passion flower extract helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress, an important factor for losing weight.


Valerian Root Weight Loss

Valerian Root is a natural diuretic, which helps aid in weight loss. Because it has the ability to stimulate and cleanse the digestive and elimination systems, it is commonly used in weight loss supplements.

Recent studies have proven that getting a more restful, longer night's sleep has a big impact on weight loss. Since Valerian Root is primarily known as a sleep aid, it helps in this area with weight loss as well.

Hops and Weight Loss

Hops is known under the name of Humulus lupulus.This plant contains a substance called metilbutenol, which gives sedative properties of its chemical composition.

On this benefit hops counteracts the anxiety and nervousness, quite common in people with overweight.

Usually at this herb is it consumed next to each other with similar Properties such as Valerian.Combination of both power the sedative effect, reducing anxiety for food.

Losing weight is not easy, because you need perseverance, patience and perseverance, but it is not impossible, especially in people who suffer from anxiety for the food which it is difficult to control

L-theanine and weight loss

Controlling food cravings

How many of us compulsively eat when we’re under stress? L-Theanine may help control the food cravings that lead to weight gain. One of the hormones secreted during times of stress is cortisol, which keeps blood sugar levels constant by triggering the formation of glucose from fats and proteins. Unfortunately constant stress equals constant cortisol secretion which can lead to symptoms, such as depression, fatigue, insomnia and high blood sugar. These are key factors in keeping weight on and compulsive food cravings. L-Theanine, by managing the mechanisms that control stress, can have a profound effect on erratic and uncontrollable food cravings.

5-htp and weight loss

5-HTP is thought to reduce carbohydrate cravings, and thus, diminish food intake, resulting in weight loss. In addition to promoting weight loss, it has also been linked with beneficial effects on behaviors such as sleep disturbances, narcolepsy, depression, migraines, anxiety, bulimia, PMS, compulsive behaviors, substance abuse, childhood hyperactivity, and hypersexuality. A deficiency in the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) has been linked with a number of behaviors mentioned above. It has especially been associated with carbohydrate craving because eating carbohydrates is one way to briefly increase the brain's level of 5-HT. This occurs because carbohydrates induce insulin production, and this insulin promotes 5-HT production. A temporary sense of well-being and satiety occurs. From this, it has been concluded that by increasing the brain's 5-HT levels by methods other than overeating carbs, these cravings would be avoided, satiety would be reached earlier, overeating would be avoided, and weight would be lost.

Turmeric and weight loss

Theory #1 on how tumeric might work

The first theory suggest that including turmeric in the diet causes the gallbladder to release more bile.
Bile is what breaks down fats inside your gut. This in turn may be responsible for promoting weight loss.
This theory is supported by the observations that in India, there are less cases of gallstone disease. Moreover, the German Commission E approves using turmeric for its ability to stimulate bile production.
Obviously, if you suffer from gallstone disease, you should not take turmeric without consulting an experienced health care provider first.

Theory #2 one how turmeric might work

Studies done at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center showed that rats given a diet high in turmeric have a lower risk of developing diabetes. As well, these rats experienced a small but significant weight loss compared to the group not given turmeric in their diet.
It would appear that turmeric might be able to influence body fat composition.
Dr. Tortoriello came to the conclusion that turmeric's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits may be, in part, responsible for its ability to control blood sugar levels and to reduce obesity that commonly leads to type 2 diabetes.

Damiana and Weight Loss

Used to treat menstrual disorders, anxiety and diabetes. It reportedly has stimulant, diuretic and laxative effects as well. It is also a sexual stimulant. Can be used to relieve anxiety, reduce high blood sugar, and contribute to weight loss.


Ornithine and Weight Loss

Research has shown that Growth Hormone is a powerful rejuvenator - its use has the potential to reversing aging up to 10 to 20 years.
After age 30 the pituitary gland starts producing 1% less growth hormone per year. Growth Hormone is vital to maintaining the body in a youthful state. Until recently, the answer to this need has been for companies to produce Growth Hormone created from animals and plant sources for ingestion by humans. Putting another creatures growth hormone in the human body just is not natural. L-Ornithine allows your body to create their own Growth Hormone in amounts needed for your body.
L-Ornithine is able to improve the immune systems response to bacteria, viruses and tumor cells in addition to detoxifying the body of ammonia deposits.
The thymus gland (the major immune gland in the upper chest) tends to shrink with time. Animal studies conducted at major research labs have found that L-Ornithine supplements can cause the thymus gland, to actually re-grow to a more youthful level, giving the immune system a boost. The thymus gland is often considered the organ of rejuvenation and longevity. It is the gland in which the T cells of the immune system are formed and given identity. Upon release it is the T cells in particular that help find and destroy cancer cells and cells that have become afflicted with viruses.
Other organs that have been shown to re-grow under the influence of Growth Hormone are the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys and skin. Especially important for body sculpting, Growth Hormone may increase muscle mass.
L-Ornithine is best taken at bedtime to enhance the natural peak release of Growth Hormone that occurs 90 minutes after falling asleep, which may also improve sleep quality.

This formula also contains lithium

During the late 19th Century, French doctors noticed that the people who dug salt in the salt mines had very few mental problems. They discovered that it was their exposure to Lithium that accounted for the unusually healthy minds.
Because Lithium is naturally found in dirt and could not be patented, pharmaceutical companies were not interested in researching it or marketing it. It was only after tremendous pressure by the medical community and the public that the government subsidized the marketing of Lithium.
Lithium is an essential trace mineral that is required by the brain for proper functioning. Inadequate levels of Lithium in the brain produce one or more of the following symptoms: nervousness, impatience, attention deficit, “scattered thinking”, inability to concentrate, not being able to focus or stick to the point, starting many projects and not following through with them, insomnia. In severe Lithium deficiency, manic depression or bipolar disorders are common.
The normal source of Lithium in the diet is deep well water. In some locations, such as West Texas, water provides 2 to 6 mg of Lithium per day. This is one of the reasons that people in Abilene or Amarillo are much more relaxed than people in Houston, where the water has zero Lithium.


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Herbal support for insomnia, mood, ADHD, neurotransmitters, anxiety, etc

Anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and hyperactivity--these are all symptoms of stress.  It can be stress to the nervous system, stress on the brain and mental capacity, stress on the emotions, stress on the adrenals or any other organ in the body.  What is needed is something calming.  For some it's a cup of hot tea and for others it's a great workout in the gym or an hour of yoga stretching.  There is no substitute for a healthy diet, appropriate excercise, and times of rest and restoration.  For some, however, that's not enough.  The body is out of balance and refuses to relax.  Herbs, vitamins, and minerals have been used for years to calm the body and bring it back into balance.
Herbalith has the following herbals, minerals, and RNA, which either carries or translates messages within the cells of the body.

 Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian root is nature’s quintessential calmative, a sedative for the central nervous system. It may alleviate anxiety in adults and symptoms of ADD and ADHD in children; in fact some studies show that it may even eliminate the anxiety, fear, restlessness and aggressiveness associated with this increasingly common childhood affliction. Valerian may also alleviate depression, headaches, and insomnia by helping to promote sleepiness and by improving sleep quality. Finally and mercifully, it can decrease stress—and increase concentration as well.

 Hops (Humulus lupulus)

This perennial plant is a classic calmative known to alleviate aching ears, teeth, and heads as well as help with insomnia, nervousness, and stress by sedating the central nervous system.

 Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

Another natural calmative from nature’s pharmacy, Passion Flower acts like Hops in alleviating anxiety and ameliorating nervousness and insomnia by sedating the central nervous system. Headaches of nervous origin and some forms of depression may be helped by Passion Flower, which can reduce irritability and the incidence of mood swings. It may even be beneficial to those experiencing withdrawal symptoms associated with street or prescription drugs.

 L-Tryptophan

Among its many therapeutic benefits, this essential amino acid may help to alleviate some cases of anxiety by stimulating the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and many forms of depression especially those characterized by intense carbohydrate cravings. Tryptophan may decrease certain cravings and their associated depression and alleviate headaches as well migraines caused by vascular constriction. If taken some 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime, tryptophan may induce sleep given its precursor role in melatonin and serotonin production. In significant dosing tryptophan may increase the body's threshold to pain because of its requirement for the release of beta-endorphin, one of the body’s natural pain relieving substances.

 Lithium

Concentrated in the brain’s pituitary gland, lithium sedates the central nervous system, may alleviate recurrent depression and the pain associated with migraines and “cluster” type headaches. Lithium may improve learning ability and memory, prevent various mental ailments especially mood disorders, assists in maintaining stable moods and emotions, and alleviate neuralgia due to its ability to stabilize nerves. Lithium may even stimulate the growth of neurons, facilitate the regeneration of damaged neurons, and support nerve remyelinization.
It is interesting to note that (1) epidemiological studies show that communities with the highest lithium levels in their drinking water enjoy the lowest incidence of suicide

 Damiana

Damiana is a native shrub of Central and South America. It is well known for its treatment in mild depression and anxiety. It can treat emotional and physical distress in people. It enhances hormonal production, both in men and women and acts as aphrodisiac. Damiana acts as nerve tonic, to relieve your stress.

 Turmeric

Is useful in people who are depressed because turmeric has the ability to regulate the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

 Schisandra

It improves the overall function level of the Central Nervous System (CNS).

 RNA

Supplemental RNA may improve mental function and memory especially in terms of its anti-aging support in adding to the brain’s quantity of this nucleic acid. RNA may also improve impaired learning ability associated with decreased brain concentrations after midlife.

 L-theanine

Is involved in the production of the neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). GABA affects other neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. And these two important neurotransmitter induce a relaxed mental state.

Consider Herbalith if you suffer from:

ADHD, Anxiety, Migraine, Insomnia, Headache, Depression, Mood Swings, Chemical Dependency, Mania, Bi-Polar, Fibromyalgia, Brain Aging

Lithium is an essential trace mineral that is required by the brain for proper functioning. Inadequate levels of Lithium in the brain produce one or more of the following symptoms: nervousness, impatience, attention deficit, “scattered thinking”, inability to concentrate, not being able to focus or stick to the point, starting many projects and not following through with them, insomnia. In severe Lithium deficiency, manic depression or bipolar disorders are common.

Pure lithium, like sodium, calcium, or potassium, is a naturally occurring mineral. Lithium is found abundantly in certain rocks and the sea and in minute amounts in plant and animal tissues. Lithium also shows up in water, notably in the springs and spas where in earlier times people "took the waters," bathing in and drinking the lithium-rich water for its soothing effects.
During the late 19th Century, French doctors noticed that the people who dug salt in the salt mines had very few mental problems. They discovered that it was their exposure to Lithium that accounted for the unusually healthy minds. Population studies suggested that areas high in lithium (like near a natural spring) have very low levels of depressed people. Areas low in lithium have a higher rate of mental disorders and higher violent crime rates. The normal source of Lithium in the diet is deep well water. In some locations, such as West Texas, water provides 2 to 6 mg of Lithium per day. This is one of the reasons that people in Abilene or Amarillo are much more relaxed than people in Houston, where the water has zero Lithium.

Lithium Deficiency Signs can include PMS, Insomnia, headache, ADHD, Joint pain & Nervous disorders


What Lithium Does:

Helps regulate nerve impulses by regulating sodium and potassium
Influences distribution of sodium and potassium
Influences sodium transport
Stabilizes serotonin transmission in the nervous system
Studies suggest it has a role in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance


Lithium is one of the most common elements used for stabilizing mood swings, mania and depression. Lithium orotate is a highly bioavailable form of lithium that is available without a prescription. Because of its superior bioavailability, (20 times more bio-active than other lithium salts) lower doses of lithium orotate (Rather than lithium carbonate or lithium citrate) may be used to achieve therapeutic brain lithium concentrations and relatively stable serum concentrations.

Lithium orotate has also been demonstrated to be of benefit in the treatment of alcoholics, and proved useful in alleviating alcohol-related symptoms of liver dysfunction, seizure disorders, headaches, hyperthyroidism, affective disorders.

Standard lithium orotate dietary supplements provide 5 mg lithium. This is 1 to 2 percent of the dose provided by prescription forms of lithium.

Herbalith contains lithium orotate A 120mg tablet of lithium orotate usually has 4.5mg--5mg of elemental lithium. Herbalith contains 100 mg of lithium orotate.


Lithium can also be incorporated into the diet. Foods that contain Lithium include eggs, milk, tomatoes, seaweed, kelp, dulse, lemons and eggplant. Garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme,and coriander are some spices that contain lithium in small amounts. Some mineral spring waters contain small amounts of this substance.

Mineral waters such as Vichy and Evian were initially also promoted on the basis of their slightly higher lithium concentrations.


Directions: Take one tablet after dinner or at bedtime. May increase to two tablets as needed.

The FDA has not evaluated any of these statements or this treatment and there is no guarantee of cure with this treatment. Results may vary.



Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Natural Mood support

I originally wrote this blog for a pregnant patient who needed natural help with her bipolar disorder. Then I started checking Lithium levels for patients with less severe mood issues and found more low lithium levels! I have modified this blog to include suggestions for everyone.

Lithium is an essential trace mineral that is required by the brain for proper functioning. Inadequate levels of Lithium in the brain produce one or more of the following symptoms: nervousness, impatience, attention deficit, “scattered thinking”, inability to concentrate, not being able to focus or stick to the point, starting many projects and not following through with them, insomnia. In severe Lithium deficiency, manic depression or bipolar disorders are common.

Pure lithium, like sodium, calcium, or potassium, is a naturally occurring mineral. Lithium is found abundantly in certain rocks and the sea and in minute amounts in plant and animal tissues. Lithium also shows up in water, notably in the springs and spas where in earlier times people "took the waters," bathing in and drinking the lithium-rich water for its soothing effects.
During the late 19th Century, French doctors noticed that the people who dug salt in the salt mines had very few mental problems. They discovered that it was their exposure to Lithium that accounted for the unusually healthy minds. Population studies suggested that areas high in lithium (like near a natural spring) have very low levels of depressed people. Areas low in lithium have a higher rate of mental disorders and higher violent crime rates. The normal source of Lithium in the diet is deep well water. In some locations, such as West Texas, water provides 2 to 6 mg of Lithium per day. This is one of the reasons that people in Abilene or Amarillo are much more relaxed than people in Houston, where the water has zero Lithium.

Lithium Deficiency Signs can include PMS, Insomnia, headache, ADHD, Joint pain & Nervous disorders


What Lithium Does:

Helps regulate nerve impulses by regulating sodium and potassium
Influences distribution of sodium and potassium
Influences sodium transport
Stabilizes serotonin transmission in the nervous system
Studies suggest it has a role in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance


Lithium is one of the most common elements used for stabilizing mood swings, mania and depression. Lithium orotate is a highly bioavailable form of lithium that is available without a prescription. Because of its superior bioavailability, (20 times more bio-active than other lithium salts) lower doses of lithium orotate (Rather than lithium carbonate or lithium citrate) may be used to achieve therapeutic brain lithium concentrations and relatively stable serum concentrations.

Lithium orotate has also been demonstrated to be of benefit in the treatment of alcoholics, and proved useful in alleviating alcohol-related symptoms of liver dysfunction, seizure disorders, headaches, hyperthyroidism, affective disorders.

Standard lithium orotate dietary supplements provide 5 mg lithium. This is 1 to 2 percent of the dose provided by prescription forms of lithium.

Vita Doc relaxing Water
Empty a 300 mg capsule of Lithium Carbonate into a quart of water. The Lithium readily dissolves in the water. Drink 2 ounces of this water with the evening meal. This will provide about 20 mg of Lithium Carbonate or 7 mg of elemental Lithium per day.

Lithium can also be incorporated into the diet. Foods that contain Lithium include eggs, milk, tomatoes, seaweed, kelp, dulse, lemons and eggplant. Garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme,and coriander are some spices that contain lithium in small amounts. Some mineral spring waters contain small amounts of this substance.

Mineral waters such as Vichy and Evian were initially also promoted on the basis of their slightly higher lithium concentrations.

Coffee, juice, diuretics and soft drinks also deplete the Lithium from our bodies.

If your lithium levels are low, or you just need a mood lift, try the celtic sea salt, natural spring water, or foods that contain lithium. Consult your health practitioner before adding any supplements to your regimen.



Crazy Water, Water No 3 Natural Mnrl Deep Well, 16.9-Fluid Ounce (12 Pack)

Celtic Sea Salt® Brand contains natural lithium salts. Unlike supplementing with medicinal lithium, the lithium in Celtic Sea Salt® Brand is absorbed naturally, in quantities nature intended, and they are untreated, unprocessed, and natural.


For pregnant women, just stick to supplementing the diet with the spring water like Evian, Pelligrino, and Perrier water and do not try to elevate the levels more aggressively until pregnancy and breastfeeding have concluded.