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Many herbs have been used as an alternative to pharmaceutical antidepressant medication treatments due to their relative safety in comparison. In Europe, herbs are a popular treatment for depression, with the herb St. John's wort being the most purchased treatment for depression. These herbs can range in action from enhancing mood-elevating hormones in the brain to promoting relaxation which can counter depression symptoms.

Tea

Herbs are used in a variety of ways: consumed in teas, in tinctures, as spices in cooking, in supplements and even eaten or used to smell in their original state right after being picked.

It is important to work with a practitioner who will help identify your specific depression symptoms and contributing causes as this will determine which herbs will be effective.

A healthy diet along with exercise and reduction of stress are critical to creating a friendly environment for fertility. The components of the diet include foods and nutritional supplements that foster fertility. Dr. Robert Greene in Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility, suggests a high link between nutrition and fertility.

Approaches to Nutrition and Fertility

Optimizing fertility through nutrition centers on achieving hormonal balance. Robert Greene, MD has been at the forefront of this approach captured in a set of principles that help achieve this balance through nutrition.

Principle One: Determine your energy needs for fertility based on an assessment of your caloric needs.

Principle Two: Eat Organic foods to minimize intake of chemicals that can be hormone disrupters.

Principle Three: Consume Power Carbs which include on fruit, vegetables and complex sugars

Principle Four: Eat More Fiber and Whole Grains

Principle Five: Intake of healthy fats is preferred to a no-fat diet.

Principle Six: Reduce the amount of animal-based protein and shift to plant-based sources of protein.

Principle Seven: Add nutritional supplements that enhance fertility.

More on Approaches to Nutrition and Fertility

Ideal Foods for Fertility Whole foods are critical to restoring an effective balance for the reproductive systems of female and male bodies. In recent times, we have seen diets become more and more restrictive which has led to depletion of essential nutrients in many of us. Some foods that can be useful additions to the fertility regimen are:

1) Lentils and other iron-rich, plant sources of iron are found to enhance fertility. Some key sources are spinach, beans, soybeans and all types of lentils

2) Olives and other healthy fat sources that are critical for maintaining a healthy reproductive system for men & women. Some key sources include olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. It is important to avoid saturated fats and trans-fats which have been shown to decrease fertility. Healthy fats are encouraged and unhealthy fats should be avoided to create a critical balance in the body.

3) Nuts such as Almonds almonds and Sunflower Seeds sunflower seeds also provide healthy oils and monosaturated fats. They can strengthen the reproductive system and boost fertility. Sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin E which is important for production of healthy sperm. Vitamin E also seems to enhance the sperm’s ability to penetrate the egg. Other sources include tomato paste and turnip greens.

More on Fertility and Ideal Foods

Fertility and Supplements

A variety of minerals and vitamins are essential for promoting fertility. In combination, whole foods and supplements can ensure a diet that : Intake of whole foods is high in minerals and vitamins to ensure that the reproductive system that produces healthy eggs and sperm. Some of these vitamins and minerals include:

• Essential Fatty Acids: These fatty acids are essential to stimulate production of sex hormones. The sources include oily fish, fish liver oils, nuts, seeds, beans and unrefined vegetable oils * Vitamin B6 balances progesterone levels and has been shown to make a difference in women that were having problems getting pregnant.

More on Fertility and Supplements

Whole foods are critical to restoring an effective balance for the reproductive systems of female and male bodies. In recent times, we have seen diets become more and more restrictive which has led to depletion of essential nutrients in many of us. Some foods that can be useful additions to the fertility regimen are:

Lentils and other iron-rich, plant sources of iron are found to enhance fertility. Some key sources are spinach, beans, soybeans and all types of lentils.

Olives and other health fat sources that are critical for maintaining a healthy reproductive system for men & women. Some key sources include olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. It is important to avoid saturated fats and trans-fats which have been shown to decrease fertility.

Nuts such as Almonds and Sunflower Seeds also provide healthy oils and monosaturated fats. They can strengthen the reproductive system and boost fertility. Sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin E which is important for production of healthy sperm. Vitamin E also seems to enhance the sperm’s ability to penetrate the egg. Other sources include tomato paste and turnip greens.

Papaya contains higher levels of vitamin C and beta-carotene which is are important nutrient to boost male fertility by improving sperm count, morphology, motility and quality. Other sources of Vitamin C are peppers, peaches, strawberries, and oranges.

Full-fat Dairy Products enhance fertility by improving ovarian function. Possible choices of foods include yogurt and other full-fat dairy products and goat cheese for those that have difficulty digesting dairy products.

Soy contain plant estrogens that are critical to hormonal balance in women. Its critical to eat small amounts of soy each day, about a quarter cup a day, from unprocessed sources such as tofu and edamame.

Brassicea Family of vegetables such as Kale, Cabbage, and Collard Greens contain compounds can improve hormonal balance in women. It contains a chemical compound that binds to environmental toxins and helps to eliminate them from the body. Other sources include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens and cabbage.

Prunes, Raisins and other fruits and vegetables that have high antioxidant capacity which are critical in preventing free-radical damage to reproductive organs and may help prevent fertility declines in women due to age. Other sources include berries, spinach, kale and brussel sprouts.

Oysters have a high content of zinc which can lower estrogen levels in men and foster optimum sperm counts.

Alkaline foods can minimize the acidity in the cervical mucus, which can interfere with sperm. Types of alkaline foods include milk and bean sprouts. Acidic foods can raise acidity in the cervical mucus should be avoided. Types of acidic foods include red meat and black tea.

FOODS TO AVOID

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, refined grains, sugar, prepackaged and fast foods, and non-organic Meats and dairy.

There is a lot of evidence that your mind can have a very positive effect on the success of the treatment of melanoma. In fact, the science of Psychoneuroimmunology is built around the idea that your thinking, emotions, and mental state can have a profound affect and influence on your body and your immune system. Many melanoma patients have used mind-body techniques to help them significantly in their treatment and its successful outcome.

Below is a list of a number of strategies to use your mind to help in your battle against melanoma. Not every strategy is going to work for everyone, so don’t feel bad if you try a strategy and it doesn’t work for you. These strategies are listed here because they have worked for others, and what is important is to try and find the strategies that work for you. How will you know what could work for you? Read through them and try the ones that sound or feel like they fit with who you are.