Treating Anxiety & Depression with Probiotics & Saffron: Surprisingly Strong Results

Fro-yo girl here. I have a guest post this week from Safforia, an all-natural saffron elixir. Saffron and probiotics have been used to treat anxiety and depression.

Here's the post: 

If you struggle with depression and/or anxiety, it’s important to seek treatment. These are genuine medical issues that can be addressed.

That said, it’s not uncommon for many people struggling with these illnesses to find some conventional treatments aren’t effective. There are fortunately other options worth considering if you’re one of those people. While you should always heed the advice of your doctor when addressing medical conditions, you may want to explore alternative treatments as well.

One option to consider is a combination of a probiotic and a saffron drink. Many people don’t realize that the brain is by no means the only part of the body linked with the physical effects of depression and anxiety. Recent scientific research indicates gut bacteria also play a role in these conditions. Thus, by treating this part of the body, it’s theoretically possible to treat mental health issues. Research confirms it.

The Link Between Microorganisms and Mental Health

The idea that gut health is connected to mental health may seem strange to some at first. However, it actually makes perfect scientific sense. People struggling with mental health issues often experience these conditions because their bodies aren’t secreting enough of certain chemicals and neurotransmitters associated with feelings of calm and emotional well-being. 

Interestingly enough, we know that gut bacteria have the potential to secrete many different neurotransmitters, including those that can help relieve depression and anxiety. Probiotics help because they simply are these kinds of beneficial bacteria.

Once again, it’s important to understand that this treatment method isn’t based in fringe science. Multiple studies have already shown that probiotics-based treatments can allow for dramatic improvements in people worn down by stress, anxiety, and depression. 

The evidence is twofold. On the one hand, study participants subjectively reported mood improvements after receiving probiotic treatments. Additionally, lab results confirmed that these treatments reduced the presence of such hormones as cortisol in the bodies of those involved in the study. This is significant, as cortisol is known as the “stress hormone.”

That said, when you’re treating these conditions, you naturally want to enhance any treatment method as much as possible. That’s why it’s also a good idea to combine probiotic treatments with saffron drinks. Researchers have found that combining probiotics with saffron extracts results in even greater improvements among study participants.

It’s worth remembering that you should explore all options and consult with your physician when treating anxiety and depression. You simply need to also keep in mind that alternatives are available when conventional treatments aren’t doing the trick. Safforia is one such option. This all-natural saffron drink has one of the highest concentrations of pure saffron, along with other ingredients that maximize bio-availability (e.g., black pepper and ginger). An alternative option like Safforia lets you harness the anxiety- and depression-fighting powers of saffron in a convenient and delicious daily elixir. 

Los Angeles Healthy “Froyo” Recommendations

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve put together this list of the best places to satisfy your craving for healthier froyo (and soft serve) for those of you who are looking to eat healthier this year. I wrote about the health benefits of froyo back in 2008. It’s lower in fat and calories than ice cream and probiotics help with digestion.

But if you’re following a specific type of diet or are looking for froyo that’s even healthier than average, here are some recommendations.

Low sugar/No sugar added

There are many sweeteners out there, some of which are natural and others are not. I personally do not like the bitter taste of Stevia. I’ve tried a variety of sweeteners and my favorites based on taste are agave nectar and dates.

My favorite no sugar added frozen yogurt can be found at Yoga-urt (1407 W Kenneth Rd., Glendale, CA). Currently they offer two NSA date sweetened flavors, Ganesha’s Sweet Greens and Purple Power. Both flavors are fresh, complex, and hand-crafted with love. They are not always offered, so check their Instagram account, @yoga_urt, or call ahead. They’re currently swirling both Ganesha's Sweet Greens and Purple Power!

If Yoga-urt doesn’t have any NSA flavors on tap, ask if they’re available by the pint. If they don’t have any, then I recommend heading to Pressed Juicery for a Freeze. The Freeze is much icier and not as flavorful or interesting as Yoga-urt, but it is made with just a few ingredients and has a clean, simple flavor. Not every Pressed Juicery location offers Freeze, though I think most of the newer ones do. I usually go to the one at the Americana at Brand in Glendale.

Low carb

I don’t eat low carb frozen yogurt but Menchie’s often will carry at least one low carb flavor. Also, Humphrey Yogart (4520 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks), The Bigg Chill (10850 W Olympic Blvd., West Los Angeles) and The Yogurt Shoppe (11726 Barrington Ct., Brentwood & 873 N Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades) are good about carrying low carb flavors. Humphrey Yogart also has multiple vegan bases for their mix-in style yogurt.

Dairy free

It’s easy to find dairy-free options. Most frozen yogurt shops offer at least one dairy-free option nowadays. If I had to choose my favorite, it would have to be something from Yoga-urt. Their hand-crafted, plant-based, organic, soy free, kosher frozen yogurt/soft serve is the best. My favorite flavor is Vanilla Harmony but there isn’t a flavor there that I don’t like. Try them all!

Nut free

For nut avoiders, I recommend going with a vegan base (soy) from Humphrey Yogart or 21 Choices (Pasadena & Claremont). Check http://www.21choices.com/ for the day’s flavors. I think they always have a dairy-free option but sometimes it has nuts. They sometimes have no sugar added flavors too. If you prefer soft serve that isn't mix-in style, Frozen Fruit Co. (729 Montana Ave., Ste 2, Santa Monica) makes their soft serve 100% from fruit.

Most frozen yogurt is gluten-free and much of it is kosher. If you have doubts, ask to see the nutritional information.

Don't forget healthy toppings: fresh fruit and nuts!

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Health Benefits of Fro-Yo

Fro-yo girl here. If you’ve visited a couple of tart fro-yo shops, chances are you’ve run into a cup, poster or store signage that discusses the health benefits of fro-yo. Most fro-yo shops serve non-fat fro-yo.

The National Yogurt Association developed the Live & Active Cultures seal to signify that a yogurt manufacturer’s refrigerated products contain at least 100 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture, and whose frozen products contain 10 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. The seal program is voluntary.

Freezing does not kill the yogurt cultures while heat treatments do kill live yogurt cultures. The cultures are dormant when frozen and they become active when eaten and warmed by the body’s temperature.

The main benefit of fro-yo with live yogurt cultures is that it eases digestion and keeps the digestive system healthy. It may also boost one’s immune system. Yogurt is also a good source of protein and calcium. At this rate of fro-yo consumption, I won’t ever have to worry about osteoporosis.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.