All-Natural Therapy for the Body Blues

To help her many patients with the Body Blues, Dr. Brown and her colleagues at the University of Washington designed and developed the LEVITY Program, a program based on three simple activities, each one proven to boost women's mood and energy or tame their appetites:

1. Walking outdoors at a brisk pace for 20 minutes, 5 or more days a week.
   
2. Getting more very bright light during the daytime but less light at night. (Is it necessary to use a light therapy device? Learn more about what kind of light is best.)
   
3. Taking the following six vitamins and minerals on a daily basis: 50 mgs. each of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6; 400 mcg. folic acid; 400 IU of vitamin D; and 200 mcg. selenium. (Most of these doses are higher than those found in one-a-day multi-vitamin tablets, but all are within safe limits. For more details, refer to the book.)

The LEVITY Program was put to the test in a "placebo-controlled, randomized" 8-week study. One hundred and twelve mildly depressed women spanning the ages from 18-78 took part in the study. Half of the women took a placebo pill, while the other half took part in the three activities.

The women found the program remarkably easy to do. All told, it took them just 20 minutes a day. Nonetheless, at the end of the 8-week study, tests showed that the women had greatly improved. They were less anxious, angry, irritable and stressed. Remarkably, their depression scores were cut in half, which is similar to the results one hopes to see from antidepressants. Just as impressive, in a test of overall well-being, the women moved from the worst to the best possible category. Last but not least, the volunteers had significantly fewer eating problems. In fact, 25 percent of them lost a noticeable amount of weight, even though they had not been asked to diet.

The results of the University of Washington study were published in the scientific journal, Women and Health. Read the study in its entirety.

Dr. Brown and Jo Robinson's best-selling book, When Your Body Gets the Blues, (Berkley Books, 2003) contains all the information and support you need to reap the benefits of the LEVITY program. Like the tens of thousands of women who have already taken part in the program, you will feel more energetic, hopeful, and relaxed in a matter of weeks—or even days. Purchase the Book here!