Turmeric treats depression

Sharing an article from Living Traditionally:
http://livingtraditionally.com/turmeric-treats-depression-without-side-effects-here-is-how-to-use-it/

June 11, 2015 by Anya V

Turmeric treats depression without side effects. Here is how to use it

 What if a natural supplement was just as effective as prescription drugs without the cost and dangerous side effects? A recent study found that curcumin, the main polyphenol in turmeric, is as at least as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) in treating depression. So how could turmeric actually treat depression?   Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immuno-modulatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective properties.  Studies have shown that curcuminoids are very effective in scavenging free radicals and neutralize them.

Turmeric acts as a reactive oxygen scavenger;  it is able to inhibit the body’s production of pro-inflammatory signaling compounds called eicosanoids.  Curcuminoids in turmeric have been found to nfluence more than 700 genes, and it can inhibit both the activity and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other enzymes that have been linked to inflammation. As we know, inflammation affects every aspect of your health. Inflammation can play a role in depression — even in the absence of a physical illness.

In the study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, the researchers found that people with clinical depression had a 30 percent increase in brain inflammation, also referred to as neuroinflammation.

Groundbreaking Study Finds Turmeric Extract Superior to Prozac for Depression

A recent study, Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial,  was done to compare the efficacy and safety of curcumin with fluoxetine in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).  According to the researchers, “This study provides first clinical evidence that curcumin may be used as an effective and safe modality for treatment in patients with MDD [major depressive disorder] without concurrent suicidal ideation or other psychotic disorders.”

The study found that the effectiveness of curcumin stems from the fact that it can inhibit monoamine oxidase, an enzyme which is linked to depression if found in the brain in high levels.  Turmeric  also raise the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, two neurotransmitters responsible for happiness, curbing depression and overall emotional well-being.

Another study, published in the journal, “Brain Research,” examined the effects of curcumin administration to laboratory rats after exposure to a chronic stress protocol. The study found that  that curcumin supplementation had a beneficial effect on reducing stress-related depressive symptoms.

How to Use Turmeric for Depression

• Take turmeric extracts (available in tablets or capsules) three times per day or as directed on the product label. It’s important when supplementing to use a standardized, bioavailable source to ensure maximum absorption.
• Make Turmeric Tea

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of grated fresh turmeric root, or 1 full teaspoon of ground  organic turmeric (where to find)

• 4 cups of water

• Raw Honey and lemon to taste

Instructions

• Take four cups of water in a pot and boil it.

• Add the turmeric.  Now, simmer for 10 minutes, before straining it.

• When ready, strain the tea through a mesh strainer, and add the honey  to taste.

References:

http://www.jad-journal.com/article/S0165-0327%2814%2900362-0/abstract

10 Tips for a Successful Life

3 Tips for Diminishing Depression During Thanksgiving

The first of two big holidays is upon us. In a few weeks, we will be celebrating with our family and friends. Traditions throughout the United States, including some things integrated from other lands and cultures, can be special times. The two most common Thanksgiving traditions are getting together with family and FOOD! Lots of yummy food - turkey, ham, dressing, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie... now I'm hungry!
Even with all the great food, the most meaningful part of Thanksgiving is the time spent with family. Perhaps that means a small group of immediate family members or a gathering that includes aunts & uncles, grandparents, cousins or in-laws that you don't get to see on a daily basis. No matter the size of your family, there is warmth, joy and love.
Or is there?
What if everyone else is happy but you feel hollow on the inside? For you this gathering doesn't bring back happy memories from childhood, it serves only as a reminder of pain and heartache. Or maybe you have no family at all with which to celebrate. There are many single people away from their home, widowers or people isolated for other reasons. This holiday may be a reminder of your loneliness rather than anything joyous in life. Many people share your struggle. I have felt that pain many, many times throughout my life. It is crushing, deflating, dehumanizing and can open up a well of sorrow within your heart. Here are a few tricks that have proved extremely effective in my life during holiday depressions.

1) Be Thankful: Imagine that, being thankful at Thanksgiving. Oh, the audacity! Seriously though, if your heart is heavy from the things you don't have, or don't feel you have, count your blessings. They may be few but focus on them. Every single one of them. Write them down. Find things to be thankful for - the last good book you read, chocolate ice cream, your dog, good memories of times spent with your best friend, your creative nature, rain that makes the flowers grow next spring, the color green; anything and everything.

2) Plan Ahead: If you know your Thanksgiving situation is going to be less than ideal, make survival plans now. Is going to your family get together a painful duty? Try something new this year. How about dropping in to say hello and I love you, then heading out to do your own thing. Make plans with friends or schedule activities for yourself such as renting funny movies or working on a hobby.

3) Serve Others: Did you know that there are numerous churches and charitable organizations that feed the poor and homeless people on Thanksgiving?  You can volunteer to cook, serve, clean up or even deliver meals. Plus, you can spend time talking to people, asking about how their life is going. It will be a joy for them just to be treated like a normal human being and you might make a new friend!

If you are feeling especially lonely or low this season, please reach out to someone. People care about you, even if it's not the ones that are supposed to. I care. I will be praying for you this Thanksgiving.
If you have any other suggestions for diminishing depression during the holidays, please share in the comments below.
God bless

Dear Anxiety

I don’t know why, but it seems like the less depression I have, the more anxiety tries to creep in. It’s like they are trying to do a tag team against me. Depression has wrestled me down but couldn’t pin me into submission. Now that I have gotten the upper hand on him he has decided to tag his partner, anxiety, and let him have a go at it. 

Anxiety is like a pilot light in the furnace of my heart. Always there, deep down, staying lit, waiting for a chance to flame up. Heartburn of the soul. I decided to write anxiety a little letter to let it know that I am not happy about these visits and I plan to fight, not just lay down and surrender.

Dear Anxiety,

    Thank you for stopping by this morning. Although not totally unexpected, your presence was somewhat of a surprise. It’s strange because now that your cousin has been vacated, you think that you are encouraged to take his place. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but you are not. Just as he has been defeated, you will be also. I am thankful for your annoying presence because you will make me stronger. You will provide ample opportunity to turn to God, to let Jesus be my strength and my hope. He is the light of the world and the light of my life. He is my life. Much to your dismay, I’m sure, your attempts to conquer me and tear me down will only result in a more fine-tuned, refined instrument in God’s hands. For that, I say bravo, little anxiety, bravo.

    Oh, I realize that there will be fights between us. You’ll sneak in a jab here & there. That’s right, I know what your plans are. I would rather not be bothered by your petty attempts but I will take the challenge with one little nugget of truth in mind - in the end, I win. God has already proclaimed it. Jesus has the victory in hand (both hands actually) and he has me in his hands. Your pathetic disruptions are nothing more than last-ditch efforts, flailing failures to be discarded at the edge of eternity. I hope you enjoy your brief moments of success. They will be your last. My gloves are laced up, my footwork is better than ever, my strength comes from HIM and his punches have power like dynamite. Step into the ring sucker. Let’s go - fight’s on!

Sincerely,

Jamie

5 Things to Ask Your Friend with Depression

How do you talk about depression and suicidal thoughts with your friend or loved one? It's a tender subject to discuss. You're afraid of their reaction. Maybe, you think, talking about suicide will put the idea into their mind. Maybe they will get upset or resent you asking questions. These are genuine concerns but a person's life and possible death are too important for us to avoid talking about this serious subject.
Below are 5 questions or conversation starters that can help open the door to your loved one's emotional state of thinking. Once you get the conversation started, keep asking questions. Don't offer advice or platitudes. Listen and commit to following up on a regular basis.

1. How's life treating you? Why?

2. I've heard that everyone with depression thinks about suicide sometimes. Do you think that's true? How about you?

3. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your depression recently? Is it improving or getting worse?

4.What's the best thing going on in your life right now? What's the worst thing?

5. How do you see your life in one year? What will you be doing?


Remember, there are several reasons a person may not immediately tell you about their depression - embarrassment, lack of trust or fear. Be lovingly persistent. Consistency shows you care.
If, during your discussion, your friend or loved one relates to you a serious desire to end their life, please go with them to get immediate help. Pick up the phone and call their doctor or 9-1-1 if necessary. Walk with them through the process of getting help. It's a scary road to walk alone. Be the friend that will make a difference in their life. God bless.

What are some questions or conversation starters that have helped you?

Hurt People Hurt People. But Hurt People Also Heal People.

Hurt people hurt people. Yes, it's true that people in pain or people that have been hurt have a tendency to lash out at others and direct their pain toward others. Subconsciously a scarred heart treats others in a harsh manner in an attempt to self-heal. The hurt person may be sharing their burden with another with the expectation that the person will help them by carrying the burden with them. They may be lashing out in a knee-jerk reaction in order to hurt a person just like they have been. The hurt person may also attempt to bring others down so that they can save themselves (like someone drowning). I have many emotional scars from years of living with an unloving father, from the death of my mother and from the various consequences of my own actions that have hurt myself and others. Since I have fallen in love with and married my wife I have noticed that she often has to deal with pain and hurt in my heart that she did not create. And vice versa - some of the issues haunting her stem from her past, yet I have to endure them. We love each other to the moon and back, but we are two hurt people that sometimes hurt each other.
     But is that all? Hurt people also help people. They care for and nurture people. They heal people. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. What's the most common way to understand another person's feelings? Experience the same thing, or at least a similar level of pain during a similar circumstance. My mother died when I was eight years old and I bet that if your mother died when you were young you can empathize with the part of my heart that remains scarred from that loss and the subsequent relational void in my life. When we share a similar experience, we have a bond. We have an understanding of each others hurts along with the fears and insecurities that develop because of that hurt. Many people have started charities or ministries that reach out to a specific group of people because they themselves have experienced similar circumstances. Nancy Goodman Brinker started the Susan G. Komen Foundation because her sister died from breast cancer. The Ronald McDonald House was started, in part, by Fred Hill, whose daughter had leukemia. I know several bloggers and authors who use their platform to reach out to people suffering with the very disease or condition that they have experienced. I began reaching out to others that suffer with depression because I can relate and I want to encourage them and help educate their friends and loved ones about depression.
     People who have experienced hurt can use their super power of empathy to help others. That may be occur in the form of listening without offering platitudes. You may sense when a person needs additional help before they realize it. You might be able to help someone survive when they no longer have strength left to fight. The hurt within will grant you the uncanny ability to see past scar-filled reactions and offer compassion and forgiveness. That's the one that I need most of the time. I am thankful for my wife for innumerable reasons, but one of the reasons is that she is hurt, like me, and she uses the experiences from her past to help others. She cares for and nurtures people in dire circumstances. My wife heals people. People - meaning me. What can you do with your hurt? Hurt others or help them - the choice is yours.
God bless!

The Most Beautiful People...

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Change

Whether You Think You Can or You Can't...

Whether you think you can or can't, either way you are right. - Henry Ford

Comfort and Strength

Psalm 147:3 

He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.

Time to Turn North

How long have you been dealing with depression? Have you reached a point in your life where you are tired of struggling and ready to do what it takes to get better? Maybe that is reaching out for help or accepting the help that is available to you. Maybe that is making the necessary changes in your life that only you can make. I don't know what that looks like for you, but God does. I have struggled for years, always accepting the "fact" that I would always be depressed and there was nothing I could do about it. Finally, I reached a point in my life where I was tired of circling that mountain. There are still battles to fight, but the fight is well worth it. Is God saying this to you? Is He saying you have circled that mountain long enough? If so, it's time to turn north.

Empathy

 

#empathy #gameplanoffense #compassion

You are the Apple of God's Eye

Are You a Hero?

Your Weakness = God's Strength

The Dreamless Night

The Dreamless Night - by Jamie Hughes

There once was a night like no other

Skies were dark and empty

Dark like looking down into a deep, black well

Soul-less, nothingness forever

Not one star could be seen

Not a twinkle, not a glimmer

There were no wishes made that night

No hopes, no dreams

That was the Dreamless Night

The moon was absent

Her mysterious, beautiful glow was gone

No reflection of the Sun could be seen or felt

There was no tomorrow coming

There would be no joy in the morning

Silence could be heard

Both pleasant and eerie

Soothing yet frightening

The dreamless night was just beginning

This is a poem I wrote several years ago while going through a depressed episode. It definitely reflects the feelings I was experiencing at the time. Melancholy, despair, hopelessness - the usual gambit for depression. Do you have negative feelings like these during depression? As real and potent as these feelings are, they don't accurately describe what I know to be true. God has tried to teach me over the years to learn to recognize thoughts based on pure feeling (which I already know are influenced by my depression) and not let them control me during down times. This is easier said than done, of course, but is 100% learnable and doable. Psalm 30:5 says "weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Even though my emotions were telling me there was no hope or joy in the future, God's truth says the opposite. With Him, there is a better day coming, there will be a sunrise. Right now, we have to make it through the dark, cold night before we see the promise fulfilled, but God doesn't lie. The next time you are feeling hopeless, try admitting to yourself that those feelings are real, but not true. It helps me a lot during those times.

God bless!

What are you giving today?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Courage

#gameplandefense

Created with a Purpose

God created you with a purpose. If you haven't already, begin asking him what it is.

Types of Depression - Understanding Your Enemy

Understanding your enemy is an important part of any strategy whether it be during a war, a football game or when fighting a disease. You can learn how your enemy attacks and how to counter those attacks. "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle," (Sun Tzu, The Art of War).
If you have depression, gaining a deeper knowledge of the disease will help you recognize symptoms, triggers and patterns, leading to more effective coping strategies. This will also enable your loved ones to cope with symptoms you experience, helping them to have more understanding, patience and strength to fight with you and for you. Remember, they are on your team and teamwork leads to success.
A proper diagnosis from your physician or psychiatrist should be your starting point to ensure the correct treatment so always listen to the professionals. The following information from WebMD helps explain the types of depression and their symptoms. On their web site, there is a link under each type for more in-depth information (http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-types).

"All depression types are not the same. Major depression, also known as clinical depression, and chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, are the most common types. But there are also other types of depression with unique signs, symptoms, and treatment."
- Major Depressive Disorder: major depressive disorder is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities.
- Dysthymia (Chronic Depression): characterized by a long-term (two years or more) depressed mood. There are also symptoms present that are associated with major depression but not enough for a diagnosis of major depression. Chronic depression is less severe than major depression and typically does not disable the person.
- Atypical Depression: key symptoms of atypical depression include overeating, oversleeping, fatigue, extreme sensitivity to rejection, moods that worsen or improve in direct response to events.
- Bipolar Disorder: a complex mood disorder that alternates between periods of clinical depression and times of extreme elation or mania.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): depression that occurs each year at the same time. It usually starts in the fall or winter and ends in spring or early summer.
- Psychotic Depression: delusional thoughts or other symptoms of psychosis accompany the symptoms of depression. With psychotic depression, there's a break with reality. Patients with psychotic depression experience hallucinations and delusions.
- Postpartum Depression: diagnosed when a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery.

Educate yourself and your loved ones. Read the information together and point out the symptoms you experience. Let them know what helps and what doesn't before you go through those symptoms again. Never give up, know your enemy and know yourself. #gameplanoffense
God bless