Food As Medicine: Stress and Anxiety- 7 Foods to Fight the Blues

Summer is rolling by. In just three months or so, the chill of autumn will have us in sweaters and boots, and for some, this brings too a fall in spirit & positive disposition. I, personally know all about the happy that comes with sunshine. Seasonal mood disorders are common. Not only do we spend less time outside soaking in natural light, our diets change to more hearty comforting foods. This usually means more meats and breads...less fresh fruit and produce. 

The "feel good" hormone, serotonin that seems to get thrown out of balance with the season is actually created in the gut.

Ninety-five percent of the serotonin in our bodies come from the mucus membrane of the intestines where the amino acid tryptophan is synthesized. Tryptophan gives us serotonin and melatonin, that feel good hormone I already mentioned, and the sleep hormone.

In the stomach this "feel good" chemical, regulates the movement of the intestines and lines our enteric nervous system. This is your second brain! There are more neurons in the bowels of the belly than the spinal column and peripheral nervous system combined.

This second brain, connects with our central mainframe and determines our mental state and the likeliness that illness will manifest. Limited serotonin is correlated to insomnia and depression.

So the key to the seasonal mood swing, lies in our diet! Knowing this, we can best prepare to sustain our own little internal sun shines!  

Here are SEVEN ALKALINE FOODS that Improve Your Mind & Mood

1. Pumpkin and squash seeds- also know as PEPITAS by the native Americans/Mexicans. High in vitamin E, carotenoids and other amino acids that reduce inflammation by slowing oxidation, these have been shown to reduce the incidence of breast, lung, colon, prostate and stomach cancers. High in magnesium which serves well the blood and bone health.    

2. Tomato- The Nahuatl word tomatl gave rise to the Spanish word tomate, from where the English word tomato comes. Again, the indigenous peoples of Mexico cultivated the crop and the Aztecs used tomatoes in their cooking at the time of the Spanish conquest of their empire. Sun-dried tomato have been shown to have the highest concentration of tryptophan. Opt for the roma and cherry varieties in general.

3. Garbanzo beans- also known as the Egyptian or Chick-pea, gram besan as it is known is the East is a full protein source. That means in addition to tryptophan, it has seven of the other essential amino acids, not made in the body, that are necessary for internal processes like building cells, tissues and muscles. This is your alkaline meat replacement!

4. Walnuts- are technically any fruit from the Juglans genus of trees. The Chinese have carved into its shell as symbols of wealth, the native Ameri-Mexicans would fish with the hull and many of cultures have found nutrition value in the meat of the drupe or nut as a food source. Its high polyunsaturated fats lend to its reputation for heart health, which to me, goes hand and hand with good mood.  

5. Avocado- Another native to Mesoamerica, the alligator pear, is more than a trendy superfood fit for toast. Not only will it help you keep a stable mood, the fruit has more potassium than bananas. Its high monosaturated fats make it a powerful antioxidant and one of the few oils suitable to fry in because of its high smoke point, allowing high heat to not turn it carcinogenic like with olive oil. 

6. Sesame seeds- The plant that gives us this seed is possibly one of the oldest in cultivation, making this oil, one of the earliest our ancestors would have used. Not only does this one make specific claims to aid chronic stress and depression, it lends to strong bones and diabetes prevention. High vitamin K and magnesium here have an anti-carcinogenic effect on the body. 

7. Chia seeds-A seed of a plant in the vast mint family, and again a food that has found its way to "super" status. The chia seed like the others is a powerful antioxidant, full of vitamins and minerals and amino acids enough to equal a decent punch of protein. The ancient Mexicans were on it, because once again, the plant and seed use are native to that place and people, where the word chia meant strength. 

"Your Food dictates your Mood."