Natural Keys to HAPPY & HEALTHY
These simple cures outsmart insomnia, blue moods and more — without the side effects of medication
“I take a long warm bubble bath for about 20 minutes to soothe me and help relax my entire body.” Kristin Davis, 53
Each year, millions of us leave the doctor’s office with prescriptions for drugs to control high cholesterol, blue moods and other health concerns. “Drugs are powerful, and some are miraculously effective,” says Andrew Weil, M.D., author of Mind Over Meds. “But too often, they simply reduce symptoms without addressing the root causes of disease.” What’s more, studies have shown natural strategies like diet and exercise can be just as effective to optimize health. Of course, you should never stop taking a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor. But if you struggle with any of the issues below, consider asking your physician about these natural fixes.
TO BRING ON SLEEP
Using sleeping pills sparingly is smart since studies suggest the meds can become less effective when taken often. An alternative: Mix 2 cups of Epsom salts and 10 drops of lavender essential oil into a bath and soak for 20 minutes. UK researchers say lavender prompts sleep-inducing brain waves and magnesium-rich Epsom salts relax muscles to help you drift off three times faster.
TO SLASH CHOLESTEROL
“Statins lower cholesterol, but whether they improve health is up for debate since they can cause pain, memory loss, fatigue and liver irritation,” says Dr. Weil. The good news? Taking 500 to 1,000 mg of bergamot extract daily can lower cholesterol by up to 87 points in a month — a bigger drop than statins offer. Credit fruit flavonoids, which heal the liver to control cholesterol output.
TO BOOST MOOD
The number of women taking antidepressants has quadrupled since the ’90s, and while the meds can be life-saving, “they’re no better than placebos for moderate depression, plus they can cause weight gain, loss of sexual desire and bone thinning,” says Dr. Weil. Instead, aim to eat 16 oz. of fish weekly. Yale scientists say fish’s omega-3s and amino acids boost serotonin, easing depression for 80 percent of women.
TO STEADY BLOOD SUGAR
When insulin levels rise and bloodsugar control drops, the result is prediabetes. The drug metformin has been the go-to Rx, but a government study suggests exercise is a better option. In the study, metformin cut diabetes risk by 31 percent, but 30 minutes of daily exercise paired with a healthy diet reduced risk by 58 percent. Why? Exercise switches on enzymes that help muscles burn glucose to steady blood sugar.