90-Day Challenge

Coming up in 8 Days is my next 90-Day Challenge.  I have a CHALLENGE already decided on but it's a surprise.  :) Not only am I starting my 2nd 90-Day Challenge I am going to update daily here on my blog with a video of my progress and obstacles.  This is really a step, no leap and bound out of my comfort zone. Join me and Challenge me and yourself to improve our bodies and minds.  

Get your product at: Shake Mix

Niacin, Depression and Nutrition

I am giving this a try. I saw the story of how AA was formed and how Niacin was supposed to be apart of the program. Treating the depression which often leads us to addictive behaviors. So here is my start. A 6$ bottle of Niacin to take on my Compulsive Over Eating. :)

Niacin (or vitamin B-3) has been a long-standing known cure for chronic depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, most of us have never heard of the potential emotional benefits of Niacin. Though the reason for secrecy surrounding vitamin therapy has a complicated and deep-rooted past, a simple explanation is that natural remedies are not supported by the U.S. medical field.

A Brief Niacin History

One of the most publicized cases of Niacin used as a cure for depression surrounded Bill Wilson (the founder of AA). Bill struggled with chronic depression much of his life, and after being introduced to psychiatrists Humphrey Osmond and Abram Hoffer in the late fifties, he began participating in a study including the use of Niacin for depression.

Bill supported Niacin so strongly, that he attempted to introduce its use to the AA organization, but the idea was fully rejected by the fellowship. Bill published several articles, and detailed his experiences with depression and his cure, in the book, “Pass It On.”

Since the research in the fifties, various nutritionists (and very few enlightened doctors) have prescribed high doses of Niacin for chronic depression. Unfortunately, treatment of serious illnesses with vitamin therapy has become dangerous ground for most doctors to walk on. In fact, in the United States, it is against the law to prescribe nutrition or vitamins to treat cancer patients (promoting natural cures landed Juice Master, Jason Vale in prison).

The Myth That Vitamins Are Dangerous

OK, so this may not be a complete myth… In the “Annals of Emergency Medicine” there were 2 documented cases of serious reactions to high doses of Niacin. These patients had taken the Niacin to clear their system of Cocaine in order to pass drug tests. So how does this compare to conventional medicine? Over 783,936 people die EVERY YEAR from medical mistakes and approximately 100,000+ of those deaths are patients taking prescription drugs as directed.

Treating Depression and Anxiety Naturally

First and foremost, it is important to recognize that depression and anxiety can actually be enhanced by poor diet and stress. Niacin itself should not be the first treatment if nutrition, exercise and stress are not being addressed. Simply improving your diet, exercising regularly and taking time to meditate or relax, could greatly improve problems with depression and anxiety.

It is also important to note that many prescription medications for emotional illness have their own side effects. Taking these drugs can actually enhance emotional distress, or have other adverse effects.

If depression and anxiety are severe enough however, you should probably seek out medical care from a doctor who is familiar with natural remedies and treatments. Niacin has not been known to cause death, but should be taken in carefully managed doses and supplemented with other vitamins (especially the other B vitamins).

Most doctors will prescribe Niacin in small frequent doses, and slowly increase these doses daily. Large amounts of Niacin will cause your skin to flush, but a slight niacin flush should end in about ten minutes or so and is considered normal. A doctor will most likely suggest that Niacin be taken after each meal in a small dose (such as 25 mg), and may increase that dose each day (such as 50mg at breakfast, then 25mg for lunch and dinner). These doses will not usually exceed 3,000 to 9,000 mg a day, and will be reduced if the patient’s skin continues to flush.

Niacin not only treats depression, but has also been shown to aid with sleeping problems, addiction, arthritis, schizophrenia, and high cholesterol.

Choosing the Right Type of Niacin

Sufficient research has never been performed on the effectiveness of No-Flush and Flush-Free varieties of Niacin for depression, however research has shown that they have no impact on patients with high cholesterol (suggesting the same would be true for depression). We suggest taking pure nicotinic acid (if you cannot find this at the grocer, try your local organic store or purchase it online).

50mg capsules on Amazon.com
500mg capsules on AllStarHealth.com
1000mg capsules on AllStarHealth.com

Natural Sources of Niacin

Some foods Niacin can be found in, include almonds and seeds, wheat products, beans, rice bran, green leafy vegetables, carrots, turnips, celery, lean red meat, fish, organ meats (kidney, liver), prawns, and pork.

Credits

Annals of Emergency Medicine
www.physicalfitnessforum.com
www.health-report.co.uk

Information from HBO's Weight of the Nation and the following website:

http://spasticgoat.com/2010/10/niacin-depression-cure/

For help with proper diet and nutrition check out Body By Vi at http://josephramirez.bodybyvi.com

An overeaters Truth

I am going out on a limb here to expose myself as an Compulsive Over Eater.  I am ashamed and embarrassed.  My mental quality of life is suffering, my body is suffering, my family and friends are suffering.  I eat.  For at least a couple hours.  Cereal is NOT allowed in my house.  Well a lot of things are  not allowed in the house due to the fact that I will eat it in it's entirety if it is.  Maybe I can work through this with the honesty of what i am doing.

What has lead to this?
1) I do not remember being taught how and what to eat.  I do remember my parents always being in a state of either a diet or NOT. 
2) People always seem to think that I am pregnant and ask me.  Totally hurts me to the core.  I am overly aware of my body in public because I feel like people are wondering if I am pregnant or not.
3) I have suffered mild depression through most of my life and recently the seriously HARSH postpartum depression.  Now medicated and ok.
4) At times I have been seriously addicted to something.  Almost two years ago I detoxed off my pain meds for my fibromyalgia.  Very glad I did but I seem to have replaced them with food.  :(
5) Even though I feel that I am equipped to deal with most of my daily feelings, there are so many that they are being suppressed.  The moment I start to slow down my appetite turns ON.
6) I have no sensation of feeling full after I eat EVER!

I have been trying to finish my weight loss for the better part of 6 years.  The pressure to stay under 180 is so exhausting.  Fighting my mouth, head and belly is simply draining me.