Depression, the Internet and Critical Thinking

Via the Internet, we now have access to an almost limitless amount of information. That access happened quickly. In the space of a relative few years, people from all over the globe had access to computers at schools and Internet cafes, then portable laptops became more affordable, then smartphones ensured that almost everyone who wanted it could access the Internet from even some of the most remote places on the planet. What did not keep pace with our ability to access information however, was the critical thinking necessary to filter it.

Katharine’s Greek God Salad

To go along with my recent post about the mental health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, I’m sharing this recipe for “Katharine’s Greek God Salad” from the “Cooking to Cure, A Nutritional Approach to Anxiety and Depression” book. It is a delicious, colorful salad that is highly anti-inflammatory and high in calcium, potassium, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin E, as well as many other important mental health nutrients and has 80% of your daily requirement for vitamin B12! And all for just over 400 calories.

The Mediterranean diet – why it’s impo...

In addition to the many proven physical health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, research has shown that a diet of fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, whole grains and good quality sources of protein is essential for decreasing the risk of anxiety and depression. This type of diet is rich in the nutrients that are critical for the regulation of mood by providing the necessary fiber and probiotics involved in proper digestion (if we don’t digest our food properly our bodies don’t utilize the nutrients we ingest) to the production of neurotransmitters that make us feel calm and happy. Processed food has been stripped of the enzymes and many of the nutrients necessary for good mental health.

Fermented vs. Pickled

A lot of press recently has been about the benefits of fermented foods. Fermented foods are full of probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion. Proper digestion means fully breaking down all of the food we eat so the body can disperse those nutrients for maximum functioning of both body and brain. This is referred to as “gut health” and there is some speculation that good gut health is more important for good...

The Power of Potassium

  Potassium is a major mineral and critical electrolyte that is abundantly present in seawater (and sea salt) and soil. Potassium contains a positive electrical charge and works closely with chloride in regulating blood pressure and PH balance. Potassium is necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally. Potassium allows our muscles to move, our nerves to fire, and our kidneys to filter blood. The...

Boost your Brain with B-6

  Vitamin B-6 is required for the brain to produce serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and GABA and for myelin formation. It is also necessary for the proper maintenance of red blood cell metabolism, the nervous system, and the immune system. Deficiencies can cause dermatitis (skin inflammation), depression, confusion, cognitive dysfunction, convulsions, and increased risk of heart attack. A deficiency in vitamin B-6...