For adults looking for ways to treat their depression without medications, one possible solution might be found in a Bikram yoga studio. Bikram yoga is heated yoga, with sessions conducted in rooms heated to about 105°F. In a study involving 80 participants, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) found that … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Pumpkins mark the fall season with decorative flair on front porches and tabletops as well as in our favorite fall flavors—pumpkin spice has quite a following! It’s boosted pumpkin’s pizazz beyond pies and lattes to hummus, pasta, and even facial scrub. The most popular winter squash—pumpkin and pumpkin seeds—has a … Read More
Grey Matter vs White Matter Grey matter is where your brain neurons are located. Grey matter is found in the outer areas of your brain. Neurons are the key players in brain activities like thinking, remembering, feeling, and doing. All these functions working together are called "cognition". Loss of cognition … Read More
NAC, the acronym for N-acetylcysteine, is used as both a prescription medication and an over-the-counter supplement. As a medication, NAC has proven benefits for preventing liver damage caused by an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is also used as a medication to break up mucous in the lungs, although the … Read More
About half of depressed people do not receive the care they need. Barriers to receiving care include not believing your symptoms are severe enough to merit treatment, lack of hope that treatment will help, inability to identify or physically get to the centers where care is available, cost of treatment, … Read More
Is your depression the type that causes carb cravings, weight gain, and fatigue in addition to your low mood? If so, you’re certainly not alone, despite the fact that you have what is classified as “atypical depression” in the medical world. Up to 42% of individuals seeking treatment for depression … Read More
In 2012, I wrote about the relationship between low testosterone and depression. Today, I want to update you on the latest research on the use of testosterone replacement therapy as a treatment for depression in men. In February 2014, researchers from the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry at Saint Louis … Read More
If you suffer from anxiety and depression symptoms, you know how frustrating day-to-day life can be. Constant worries, feelings of hopelessness or overriding guilt can disrupt your ability to perform simple, routine tasks. Often, it feels as if a cloud is covering you and there seems to be no way … Read More
In the summer, I love rubbing the leaves of herbs from our garden under my nose to breathe in the various, pleasant aromas. One of my favorites has always been lemon balm, which releases a nice, fresh lemon scent. While many of us might recognize lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) from … Read More
Herbs and spices have long been used for culinary purposes as well as medicinal reasons. But one herb in particular ranks high above the rest when it comes to lowering cholesterol naturally: oregano. Oregano was first used by the ancient Greek physicians who prescribed it for a variety of ailments. In … Read More
