Diet and Nutrition

• My husband has been on an SSRI antidepressant (Zoloft) for the last 8 years. Due to some sexual side effects and others, he would like to get off of it. He also has depression. Are there any supplements that will help him get off and be able to keep his depression and anxiety at bay?
• I have been taking Xanax for anxiety disorder for a long time. I have realized that as time goes on, I need more of the medicine in order to get the same effect, and I cannot seem to stop taking it due to withdraw issues and my severe anxiety. Is there something I can try.
• I am a 65 year old woman who has suffered from poor quality sleep for the last 15 years. I am on hormone replacement and I am taking Xanax, Benedryl, and many other things but I have a hard time falling back asleep after I routinely awaken after about 2-3 hours, and often I simply can not fall asleep at all. I am exhausted the next day for sure..What can I do?
  

• I have a hurt rotator cuff muscle on my right shoulder. Is there anything you can suggest for rehab. and to help the pain?
  

  Of course there is hope for you and your recovery from this injury. You didnt say if it is a dull or sharp sensation, but I will attempt to cover both with this answer. First purchase the resistance orginal xertube. Make sure the resistance used to rehab. is extremely light. You can create less resistance on any of the bands by allowing a little more slack in the band if it feels too tight.
  
  Second make sure you can achieve 15 or more reps . . . this means very LIGHT RESISTANCE! There are many more exercises than this one, but here is a start!
  
  1. EXTERNAL ROTATION OF THE SHOULDER AND EXTERNAL ROTATOR MUSCLE. Stand with feet shoulder width apart elbow bent 90 degrees, arm placed on the ouside ribs (upper arm). Externally rotate forearm away from the body perpendicular to the floor creating the image of the letter L.
  
  NOTE: Don't let the inside arm leave the ribs! You may now do the same thing with the tubing, anchor the tubing by opening then closing the door on it . Make sure the tube is shut waist high (elbow must be bent at 90 degress, as this will make sure it is by shuting the door on the tube waist high), now begin to add less or more slack depending on the resistance needed. Make sure you grasp the tube with a tight and straight wrist.
  
  GOOD LUCK AND WRITE BACK WHEN READY FOR THE SECOND ROTATOR EXERCISE . . . GIVE IT 3 MONTHS AND TRY TO DO THIS EXERCISE TWICE DAILY FOR 4-6 DAYS A WEEK DURING THIS 3 MONTH PERIOD
  
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• I've tried to firm my rear end, but lunges hurt my knees. What can you suggest?
  
  Sorry about your knees. Lunges are great, but you do have options. The rear end can be trained from the abductors (outer rear) and also with the
  posterior side the gluteux maximus. Since you mentioned lunges, let's begin with the posterior side, starting with the resistance ball . . . this can be based on your height when purchasing our ball, but even if your ball isn't perfect for your height, it will still work just fine.
  
  I will list just one of many exercises using this ball. Be sure to write when ready for exercise number two. My suggestion is to perfect this and give it 3 months performing this 3-4 times a week when possible. This is one of my favorites!
  
  Start by lying on your back, heels up on top of the ball. Glance down at your chest, flattening the neck on the deluxe yoga mat (also ordered on my site) . . . palms are flat and down by the sides of the body. Peel spine off the mat from cervical (neck) to tailbone slowly, and one vertabrae at a time, until your torso is a straight long bridge . . . knees are locked and only heels are on the ball. Balance here, squeezing the rear tightly for 10 seconds, then lift one leg up towards the ceiling and begin to curl the opposite leg in with a bent knee towards the rearend (this reqiures core stability and hamstring power)! Remember, the hamstrings work really hard with the rear shaping! Alternate legs. As one extends, the other bends of course. If this is too hard right now, leave both heels on the ball and lift and squeeze the buns for 10 seconds over and over until total failure!

  You may ask yourself, "Why do i need the ball?" I ask you to keep a pelvic tilt and buttocks squeeze at this intensity without the ball. The ball is
  imperative. Give this 3 months, then we will take it up to a new notch
  
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Diet and Nutrition

• My husband has been on an SSRI antidepressant (Zoloft) for the last 8 years. Due to some sexual side effects and others, he would like to get off of it. He also has depression. Are there any supplements that will help him get off and be able to keep his depression and anxiety at bay?
  
  Yes there is, but you should mention your idea to his doctor first so he is aware of your husband's decision. As you know you cannot just quit
  taking Zoloft. People who have been on a drug like this for some time can experience unpleasant withdrawal such as added anxiety, flu-like symptoms, etc. I have found it is helpful to begin taking 50 mg of a high quality 5-HTP supplement while weaning off the Zoloft. This will raise your husband's serotonin levels to compensate for the removal of the SSRI anti-depressant. Take 50 -100mg mg once a day on alternate days with the Zoloft, gradually weaning off the Zoloft (of course under doctor's care for that), then eventually take only the 5 HTP every day. Once off the Zoloft and only on 5 HTP he can take as much as 3 of these 5 HTP capsules once a day. He will be able to decide if he needs 50, 100, or 150 mg. If he still feels anxious or depressed on 5 HTP he should try a product I offer called Mindsoothe, but 5 HTP is useful while weaning off the SSRI anti-depressant, and, in some cases, it keeps the depression at bay and nothing else is needed. Mindsoothe also affects serotonin levels in the brain but it has additional ingredients that may be helpful. It is most likely that one of these two products will help your husband get off Zoloft and stay off it. These products are offered on my products page of this website. The cost should not be anymore than your prescription cost with insurance. You should tell your doctor of any plans you have to discontinue a medication. Just remember that, as it is with any natural remedy, they take longer to show their benefits and effects than prescription medications, so do be patient!! Good luck.
  
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• I have been taking Xanax for anxiety disorder for a long time. I have realized that as time goes on, I need more of the medicine in order to get the same effect, and I cannot seem to stop taking it due to withdraw issues and my severe anxiety. Is there something I can try?
  
  Yes there sure is! As you may have discovered, Xanax is difficult to get off of. That is because your body has quit producing a brain chemical, GABA, which is responsible for keeping anxiety at bay. Chances are that you were already deficient in this brain chemical prior to being on Xanax and this is why you had such anxiety. Now Xanax has told your brain it does not need as much since the Xanax will mimic the anti-anxiety effects of the GABA for you. Now you need to supplement that GABA and get off the Xanax. Start by taking your normal dose of Xanax, but now add 250 mg of GABA supplement. Take this GABA only at night for now, because it will potentiate (strengthen) the Xanax you are taking. You will begin to notice, even after the very first dose, that the normal dose of Xanax feels too strong once on GABA supplementation. Begin to decrease the dosage of Xanax very slowly, while increasing the GABA. Over time, you should see that you need the Xanax less and less. Then continue to take the GABA to help with your pre-existing anxiety. Another product that you should begin taking is Mindsoothe and PureCalm. These products will remove the underlying anxiety and brain chemical disorder that caused it. These products are not addictive, nor will you require higher doses as time goes on. I recommend the GABA especially for the weaning off period and then adding the other two products to achieve maximum results and anxiety control. All of these products are offered on our products page. Quality of supplements is very important, so no matter where you buy these ingredients, be sure they are high quality. I know the ones I offer are. Remember it is a good idea to let your doctor know if you are weaning off a medication. Good luck!!
  
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• I am a 65 year old woman who has suffered from poor quality sleep for the last 15 years. I am on hormone replacement and I am taking Xanax, Benedryl, and many other things but I have a hard time falling back asleep after I routinely awaken after about 2-3 hours, and often I simply can not fall asleep at all. I am exhausted the next day for sure..What can I do?
  
  Well I would suggest a couple of things. I would start adding 1 GABA (250 mg) a day to my routine. This will enhance the effects of the Xanax you are taking and hopefully allow you to discontinue using it since you most likely have a tolerance to the amount you have been taking. Then I would add a St. John's Wort product to normalize your serotonin levels. I really like a product called Mindsoothe for that, along with a product called Serenite Plus . All of these will work wonders for your sleep problem but it will take at least 8 weeks of the Mindsoothe (or any St. John's Wort product) for it to really kick in, but after waiting 15 years to sleep, what is a few more weeks? In the meantime, the GABA and Serenite Plus should make it easier for you to get in the sleep zone with less or no Xanax or other aids. These products are on our product page, so check it out.
  
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