I love reading about the recommended supplements in Dr. Connealy’s newsletters, especially when the suggested supplements are aimed at symptoms I suffer from. As we age, we cannot help but notice the changes in our bodies. Our skin loses elasticity, gains wrinkles, and loses that youthful glow. Our internal organs, our eyes, our joints, and our brains do not work as well as they used to.
My problem is, every supplement I take gives me side effects that are often worse than the original symptoms of aging. My solution is to research foods that provide or encourage the formation of the beneficial ingredient contained in the supplement. I then incorporate these foods into my daily diet. I realize that these supplements provide a much more concentrated form of these wonderful ingredients, but I figure every bit helps.
For example, the newsletter referred to above describes the wonders of melatonin, a hormone produced naturally in our bodies. Melatonin is responsible for enhancing our sleep so our bodies can recharge properly. Without adequate sleep, we can suffer from brain fog, muscles aches, anxiety, weight gain due to increased appetite, and a weakened immune system. Check out a previous post of mine about sleep deprivation.
Unfortunately, as we age the production of melatonin is reduced. Our options to increase melatonin are to take a supplement or to increase our intake of foods that encourage the formation of melatonin in our bodies. These foods include pineapple, bananas, oranges, walnuts, almonds, cherry juice, and dairy products.
Another wonderful ingredient recommended by Dr. Connealy is curcumin which is derived from turmeric root. I have added ground turmeric to my soups, stews, tea, smoothies, and stir-fries for the past few months, ever since I read that it helps relieve joint pain. Another previous post describes the benefits of curcumin or turmeric. I believe that I have noticed a reduction in joint pain associated with arthritis. This is even more significant for me this time of year since the cold weather usually brings an increase in arthritis symptoms.
To see if I can increase melatonin production naturally, I plan to experiment for the next while, making myself a smoothie before bedtime using pineapple, banana, orange, almond milk, cherry juice, and yogurt.
I will keep you posted!
As I get older myself I have noticed dry, flaky skin around my elbows. Any suggestions? I too prefer a natural remedy as opposed to supplements/perscription cures.
Tea tree is great & I should’ve known that! Der! Thanx!
Bananas, pineapples and almonds. I will take those and run!