Depression and St John's Wort

St John's Wort plant is as effective as Prozac for treating DEPRESSION, say scientists.

St John's Wort has become a popular alternative to anti-depressants such as Prozac and Seroxat in recent years following fears over the safety of SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) drugs.

But the herbal extract St John's Wort now has more than just cheerful converts to testify to its mood-lifting powers. In what is billed as the most thorough study of the plant, scientists have found it is just as effective as Prozac at treating depression.

It also had fewer side effects than many standard drugs used to help those battling despair. In Germany, it is commonly given to children and teenagers.

A separate study has found St John's Wort, available in countless health shops, is the only alternative medicine proven to have an effect.

[By Daniel Martin, The Daily Mail.]

To read Daniel's whole article in the Daily Mail about St John's Wort , click on the link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1072414/St-Johns-Wort-plant-effective-Prozac-treating-depression-say-scientists.html

Benefits of zinc for male fertility

“Recent research suggests that one in six British couple has fertility problems and two million men have low fertility.

What can men do if their sperm count is shown to be low?

‘This problem could well be due to a combination of stress, pollution, excessively warm, tight underwear and poor diet, says Dame Shirley Bond, A GP who specialises in this area.

Aside from attention to lifestyle, clothing and diet, Dr Bond suggests that men preparing to father a child could benefit by simply taking a zinc supplement during the preconception period.

Zinc is needed to keep mature sperm in a quiescent state and keep the genetic material tightly packed and stable within each sperm head.”

Good quality zinc can be purchased from http://www.elixirhealth.co.uk/

[Health Matters, Feb. 2006, Vol.8 No. 2]

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Light therapy is increasingly being used to reset our body's natural rhythms. At any time of year all kinds of things can upset our rhythms like working in artificial light, jet lag or shift work. In addition, the onset of winter can leave us feeling gloomy and short of energy. By providing summertime levels of light during the winter you can successfully alleviate the symptoms of SAD with the result that former sufferers can lead a normal, happier life and beat the Winter Blues.

At http://www.elixirhealth.co.uk we have light boxes of different strengths according to the amount of time you want to use the light box, either 20 minutes, 30 minutes or 60+ minutes. So, if you have to get out of the house in a rush then you need one with more lights that will give a quicker treatment time such as the Diamond 4 or Silver Lite. However, if you are at home for longer periods during the day then one that you can use for longer is just as effective such as the Diamond 2 or the little LitePod. If you can use your light box on your desk during the day, or if travelling, then the LitePod is an ideal model.