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- m - n Seasonal Affective DisorderSeasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder associated with falling light levels as Autumn and Winter draws on. Treatment involves raising Serotonin levels, which can ease the depression associated with… Increase your intake of foods containing the amino acid Tryptophan (a precursor of Serotonin) - found in chicken, turkey, bananas and cottage cheese. A well planned and healthy diet will also help - eat "slow burning" carbohydrates such as porridge oats, wholemeal bread and pasta, baked potatoes, and brown rice on a daily basis, as well as plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The B Complex Vitamins are very important as they promote a healthy nervous system, reduce stress and increase energy - take a B supplement daily. Also take a good multivitamin daily as health insurance. Fish oils have been shown to dramatically ease depression. Either eat oily fish - such as sardines, salmon, tuna, herring or mackerel - x 3 a week, or take a fish oil supplement daily.
Keep your exercise levels up - try taking a 1 hour daily walk in the fresh air and daylight - and practise a breathing and relaxation routine - both of these will help boost endorphin levels, and indirectly affect levels of Serotonin.
Consider taking a course of St Johns Wort - found to be very effective in relieving the mild to moderate depression associated with SAD. A nutritional alternative to this is Serotone (produced by Higher Nature) which contains 5HTP which reputedly is more effective in producing Serotonin. Do not take either of these products, however, if you are on prescription anti-depressants or tranquilisers. Light therapy has been shown to be very helpful, and is now being shown to be the crucial factor in alleviating SAD. Light boxes can be obtained or rented from the SAD Association at: www.sada.org.uk. If you think you are suffering from SAD and would like to book an appointment with a qualified health practitioner in your area look in the Practitioner Directory Also see:
The following complementary therapies can be sued in the treatment of SAD: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Bach Flower Remedies, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Nutritional Therapy. You are recommended to seek advice of a qualified health practitioner. To find a qualified practitioner in your area look in the Practitioner Directory.
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