Don't Be S.A.D. This Winter!

By Mary Mucci

For most of us:  winter is long and grey,  but for people with seasonal affective disorder it’s apparently almost unbearable.  Many turn to drugs. …but like everything else we talk about here:  health problems are not caused by a drug deficiency. 

Dr. Jim Prego’s prescription for SAD is pretty simple.  Get natural light any way you can.  And get a dose first thing in the morning.  {Waking up to a light box which you can purchase thru mercola.com is ideal.}

 Get exercise any way you can.  {Walking a dog works.} 

Eat more healthy fat and protein. {Anything else but sugar and simple carbs that turn into sugar.}  

Take vitamin D3  supplements.  {While physicians would never suggest a dose without without blood tests;  the fact is the current government guidelines of 400 or 800 IU is inadequate.   And while everyone is different… some of the better brands of supplements have a 2500 IU formula.  That’s what I’ve been taking and it’s been great for me.}

And finally :  Go to bed earlier.

Many people have heard that melatonin is a solution.  Well it can be says Dr. Prego.  But oftentimes the problem isn’t too little melatonin,  it’s that your body clock is out of wack:   Your melatonin levels need to be in sinc with the rise and fall of the sun…even though  we can’t see it. 

I know mild depression can be cured with B complex vitamins, the omega three fats, magnesium and vitamin D3.  I know this because I was followed by a black cloud for nearly a decade.  If you’ve tried these and they haven’t worked, you may have absorption issues.  Maybe you’re not taking an adequate dose.  Or maybe the vitamins you are taking are not good quality.  It would be worthwhile to see a naturopath  like Dr. Prego {631 650-0268} or a holistic nutritionist like Llynn Newman { Glen Head 516 674 4868. } I have a list of more naturopaths and holistic nutritionists on my web site.

Winter is still not my favorite time of year.  The days are simply too short.  So I’ve been going to bed early and finding that helps too.  After all natural health experts say we’re supposed to be sleeping longer this time of year. Sounds good to me.

To Your Health,

Mary Mucci

 

Contacts:

Dr.  Jim Prego, Naturopathic Physician

Islip at 631 650 0268

Llynn Newman, Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist

Glen Head and Mineola,  516 674 4868

Light Boxes:  www.mercola.com

This is a great information site and sells fine products.  As with anything I recommend, I have no financial interest.  My recommendations are made simply because I believe the people and products may be of help to you.

Comments

[Robert Vincente]

Mary -

I read your blog and unfortunately have to add that you need to get ALL your facts straight, including recent studies, before posting about causes and cures.

Sorry, a blog filled with misinformation is virtually useless.

[SUSAN L.RUDNICK]

IVE BEEN SIPPING HOT COCOA W.WHIP CREAM AND ENJOYING SOME MINT MILANO COOKIES BEFORE TURNING IN @ NIGHT! YOUR BLOG WAS VERY ENJOYABLE.POSTED BY A WORKING MOM IN AMITYVILLE . HAPPY NEW YEAR !

[Rahsheen Slaughter]

Mary, I have a great story and charity event I like to share with you. What is the best mode of communication?

New Reader of your Blog,

Rahsheen Slaughter
Breakthroughs To Fitness
email:[email protected]

[Carol Noran]

Unfortunately you've left a few bits of important information out of your simplistic cursory essay.

Why didn't you mention that women are 4 times more likely to suffer seasonal affective disorder then men? Not important?

How about the new study (published in the Journal of Affective Disorders) which indicates that SAD may be linked to a genetic mutation in the eye that makes a SAD patient less sensitive to light. Melanopsin, a photopigment gene in the eye, may play a role in causing SAD in people with a recently discovered mutation. Not important?

If you are going to write a blog noting causes, effects and possible "cures", you've got to do your homework.

Or, at least a bit more research.