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Health
Foods That Make Depression Worse
Signs You Need To See An Allergist
Just as there are foods that can boost your mood and make you feel better, there are also foods that can make you feel worse. More specifically, there are foods that can make your de- pression worse.
fect your mood the next day. A sleepless night paired with a caf- feine boost can cause agitation, tremors and nervousness. Alcohol
Similar to so-called comfort foods, many rely on having a drink or two to help themselves wind down at the end of the day. But, because alcohol is a depres- sant that affects the central nerv- ous system, it’s also likely to change the way we process emo- tion, according to EatThis.com.
This includes most processed and packaged foods, even when they’re labeled “low-fat.” Not only do these foods come with the convenience of not having to spend hours in the kitchen, they also come with a ton of sodium. According to PsychCentral.com, the excess sodium in these prod- ucts can disrupt your neurologi- cal system, contributing to depression, and can muck up your immune system response, causing fatigue. Having too much salt in your diet can also con- tribute to weight gain.
Hydrogenated Oil
According to PshyCentral.com, anything that is cooked with hydrogenated oils and contains trans fats could po- tentially contribute to depres- sion. So, you’ll want to stay away from (or eat sparingly) fried foods. Yes, this includes fried vegetables.
If you find yourself taking allergy medicine a little more than usual or if you experience a flare after eat- ing something you’re “not allergic to,” it might be time to visit an allergist.
Allergy symptoms occur when your immune sys- tem overreacts to something that is harmless to most people but triggers a reaction in anyone sensitive to it (also known as an allergen), according to the Amer- ican College for Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).
Symptoms
“The release of histamine can cause a variety of symptoms, including a skin rash, headache, sneezing, runny nose, swelling, nausea and diarrhea. The most severe reaction, known as anaphylaxis, can be life- threatening,” according to ACAAI.
Some of the most common allergens include pollen, dust, animal fur, mold, insect stings and a host of delicious foods like nuts, shellfish, and dare I say... chocolate!
According to ACCAI, “If the allergen is something you breathe in; your reaction will most likely affect your eyes, nose and lungs. If the allergen is some- thing you consume, you’re more likely to have symp- toms in your mouth, stomach and intestines.”
If you have a cold that’s sticking around longer
than usual, it’s possible that you could be sneezing and having a runny nose due to an allergen and not a cold.
These are other times you should consider seeing an allergist, even if you have a full stock of Benadryl on hand:
• Your experience chronic sinus infections or nasal congestion.
• You experience hay fever or other allergy symp- toms for long periods of time.
• You find little relief from antihistamines and over-the-counter medications.
• Your allergies make day-to-day activities more difficult.
• You think you may have asthma, but have not been diagnosed.
• You have difficulty breathing.
• You experience wheezing or coughing at night or during exercise.
• You often feel short of breath or tightness in your chest.
• You have been diagnosed with asthma, consis- tently taking your asthma medication, but still have frequent asthma attacks.
Schedule an appointment with an allergist if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
You typically want to stay away from the following foods that may negatively impact your mood:
Sugar and Caffeine
Having a cup of coffee or a candy bar can be the most com- forting thing if you’re looking for a quick boost of energy. But, sugar and caffeine could end up having the opposite effect after those few minutes of energy wear off. According to PsychCentral, that treat and all refined sugar cause our blood glucose levels to plummet, resulting in a sugar hangover that disrupts our mood, depletes our energy and is linked to sleep disorders. Unfor- tunately, this includes artificial sweeteners.
Having caffeine close to bed- time may affect your ability to fall (and stay) asleep which could af-
10 Herbs For Arthritis
Here are 10 herbs that may re- duce the pain and inflammation from arthritis:
1. Curcumin, an ingredi- ent found in turmeric, may help combat inflammation of the joints. Research suggests turmeric may prevent the onset of inflammation.
2. Green tea, used as an herbal rem-
edy for a va-
riety of
ailments,
may reduce
inflamma-
tion to help
patients with rheumatoid arthri- tis and osteoarthritis.
3. Boswellia may block substances that attack healthy joints in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been shown in animal studies, but more re- search is needed on humans. The herb can be found in tablets or used as a topical cream.
4. Aloe vera may also be applied topically to ease joint pain and inflammation.
5. Eucalyptus can be taken orally or
used as a topi-
cal oil for
arthritis relief.
The tannins in eucalyptus
may relieve
pain and reduce swelling.
6. Willow bark has long been used to treat inflammation. The University of Maryland Med- ical Center said studies have shown that willow bark may re- duce pain from osteoarthritis in the neck, lower back, knees and hip joints.
7. Ginger was found to reduce the ability of certain im- mune cells from contributing to inflammation.
8. Garlic has anti-inflam- matory effects
to inhibit sub-
stances in the
body that cause
inflammation.
It may ease
pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
9. Capsaicin is a compo- nent in chili peppers that has been used in topical creams and gels to reduce pain. Research sug- gests it reduces the pain from os- teoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
10. Cat’s claw has anti-in- flammatory properties and is among the herbs that have been shown to be effective against arthritis symptoms.
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-B