Anxiety & Depression: How to Lesson Symptoms with Natural Remedies

When discussing anxiety and depression there are several things to note. First, we will talk about them separately in this article, although they can happen in tandem. Second, know that everyone gets anxious from time-to-time and depression is not simply feeling sad. If you feel you cannot function in your everyday life like you used to, see your doctor right away. And third, no two people experience anxiety or depression in the same way. There are some similarities, though.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders usually have intense, excessive worry and fear about everyday situations. Panic attacks are repeated episodes of intense anxiety and fear that reach a peak within minutes.

While it may unveil itself in different ways, anxiety causes the body to produce an increased amount of cortisol, which is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. This hormone engages the ”fight or flight” response within the body. Many animals, including humans, have this survival instinct. With the increased levels of cortisol, the body tells the nervous system to get ready to run away or to fight the situation. 

 According to the Mayo Clinic, common signs and symptoms of anxiety include:

• feeling nervous, restless or tense
• having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• increased heart rate
• rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
• sweating
• trembling
• feeling weak or tired
• trouble thinking about anything other than the present worry
• trouble sleeping
• gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• difficulty controlling worry
• wanting to avoid things that trigger anxiety¹

Approximately 31% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.²  Not everyone does something about it though.

Depression

Depression can take many forms and can range from mild to severe. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, depression can be considered an illness when at least five symptoms occur together for two weeks or more. They are:

• feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness
• irritability, angry outbursts, or low frustration tolerance
• loss of interest in or ability to enjoy usual activities, from sex to sports
• sleep disturbances — insomnia or hypersomnia
• fatigue and lack of energy

If you think you may have depression, consult with your healthcare professional right away to schedule an evaluation.  

Natural Ways to Help with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

For both anxiety and depression, many people have found that diet and lifestyle modifications can help lessen symptoms. Something as simple as sunlight can boost your mood. Researchers at BYU found more people experience mental health distress during seasons with little sun exposure (Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD). On days with plenty of sunshine, less mental health issues were observed. 

 Lifestyle modifications that can help reduce anxiety and depression:

1. Eat healthy foods
2. Cut out alcohol
3. Exercise 
4. Light therapy (Sun)
5. Get enough sleep 
6. Goal setting 

Talk to your doctor to see if you can add supplements to your diet. If you get the go ahead, try these highly effective whole food supplements by Standard Process:

Ashwagandha Complex® contains adaptogenic herbs (plant-based herbs with complex compounds that help your body adapt to physical or psychological stress by interacting with your cellular systems.)³

This Ashwagandha Complex includes Ashwagandha, Korean Ginseng, Licorice, and Skullcap. These ingredients have been known to help:

• maintain or improve overall well-being
• the body adapt to the changes of everyday life
• promote vitality and stamina
• maintain healthy mood balance*

Ashwagandha Forte is an herbal supplement that contains Ashwagandha root used traditionally as a rejuvenating tonic for stress, immune system and cognition support.*

It is traditionally used in Ayurvedic herbal preparations:

• as a rejuvenative tonic to support the body’s natural immune system
• to support general well-being after challenge
• to support healthy cognition, learning and memory
• as a nervous system relaxant that calms the mind and soothes the nerves*

Orchex® combines several nutrients to promote nervous system balance. * 

• Brings about a calming effect that can help maintain emotional balance
• Encourages mental clarity and relaxation
• Supports balanced function of the central nervous system
• Supports healthy testicular function*
• Excellent source of niacin and vitamin B₆ 

Min-Chex® is a combination of synergistic factors designed to support the nervous system. * 

• Contains vitamins involved in the production of neurotransmitters associated with emotional balance*
• Contains vitamins that help create healthy adrenal gland functions in response to stress*
• Contains a combination of key ingredients from Min-Tran^® and Orchex^®
• Excellent source of niacin, vitamin B₆, and iodine

Min-Tran® is a vegan supplement that contains mineral complexes to support emotional balance. * 

• Supports a healthy nervous system
• Helps maintain emotional balance
• Helps ease the effects of temporary stress
• Supports the actions of neurotransmitters that regulate mood
• Excellent source of iodine* 

Drenamin® is a supplement for adrenal support. It promotes healthy adrenal gland function and helps maintain emotional balance.* 

• Supports adrenal function
• Encourages a healthy response to everyday environmental stresses and supports immune system response function
• Maintains energy production
• Supports a balanced mood*
• Excellent source of riboflavin and niacin
• Good source of vitamin B₆and antioxidant vitamin C

Symplex F® is a supplement for women that can help support the healthy function of the ovaries and the adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands. *

• Provides uniquely derived nucleoprotein-mineral extracts that support cellular health
• Contains a combination of key ingredients from Ovatrophin PMG^®, Drenatrophin PMG^®, Pituitrophin PMG^®, and Thytrophin PMG^®
• Made with bovine ovary PMG™ extract*

Symplex M® is a testicular health supplement that supports the healthy function of the testes and the adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands. * 

• Provides uniquely derived nucleoprotein-mineral extracts that support cellular health*
• Contains a combination of key ingredients from Orchic PMG^®, Drenatrophin PMG^®, Pituitrophin PMG^®, and Thytrophin PMG^®

-Dr. Robert Powell, The “Wholefood Guru”

At Wholefood Guru, we strive to provide the most up-to-date clinical information on improving health through whole food supplementation, diet, and lifestyle modifications. Wholefood Guru is an authorized online distributor of Standard Process health products.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

¹https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

²Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21)

³https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a23840175/what-are-adaptogens/