Holistic approach to depression?!


Question: Does anyone know of any natural ways to treat depression? I have tried so many different drugs......Thanks! Karen!


Answers: Does anyone know of any natural ways to treat depression? I have tried so many different drugs......Thanks! Karen!

Here are nine natural and herbal remedies that are used for depression.

1) St. John's Wort
The herb St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has long been used in folk medicine for sadness, worry, nervousness, and poor sleep.

Today, the results of over 20 clinical trials suggest that St. John's wort works better than a placebo and is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects.

Studies suggest that St. John's wort is not effective for major depression.

It's available at health food stores, drug stores, and online in the form of capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, or tea.

St. John's wort may take 4 to 6 weeks to notice the full effects. Side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth, indigestion, and fatigue. St. John's wort increases photosensitivity, so extra caution should be taken to protect skin and eyes from sunlight.

Although St. John's wort appears to be reasonably safe when taken alone, it can interfere with the effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as antidepressants, drugs to treat HIV infections and AIDs, drugs to prevent organ rejection for transplant patients, and oral contraceptives.

St. John's wort is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with bipolar disorder, liver or kidney disease.
2) Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of good fat needed for normal brain function. Our bodies can't make omega-3s on their own, so we must obtain them through our diet.

Studies have linked depression with low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids. In countries with higher fish consumption, such as Japan and Taiwan, the depression rate is 10 times lower than in North American. Postpartum depression is also less common.

Studies suggest that omega-3's together with antidepressants may be more effective than antidepressants alone.

Cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, and anchovies are the richest food source of omega-3 fatty acids. But instead of eating more fish which contain mercury, PCBs, and other chemicals, fish oil capsules are considered a cleaner source of omega-3 fatty acids. Many companies filter their fish oil so that these chemicals are removed.

Fish oil capsules are sold in health food stores, drug stores, and online. Most brands should be stored in the fridge to prevent the oil from going rancid. When comparing brands, the key active components for depression are EPA and DHA.

Fish oil capsules may interact with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin and aspirin. Side effects may include indigestion and bleeding. Fish oil should not be taken 2 weeks before or after surgery. Fish oil can also cause a fishy aftertaste. To prevent this, try taking the fish oil just before meals.

3) SAM-e
SAM-e, pronounced "sammy", is short for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. It's a chemical that's found naturally in the human body and is believed to increase levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

Several studies have found SAM-e is more effective than placebo.

In North America, SAM-e is available as an over-the-counter supplement in health food stores, drug stores, and online. It should be enteric-coated for maximum absorption. Although it's one of the more expensive supplements, it remains popular as a remedy for depression and osteoarthritis.

Side effects can include nausea and constipation.
4) Folic Acid
Folic acid, also called folate, is a B vitamin that is often deficient in people who are depressed.

Folate is found in green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruit, beans, and fortified grains. It's one of the most common vitamin deficiencies because of poor diet but also because chronic conditions and various medications such as aspirin and birth control pills can also lead to deficiency.

Besides food, folic acid is also available as a supplement or as part of a B-complex vitamin.

Researchers at Harvard University have found that depressed people with low folate levels don't respond as well to antidepressents, and taking folic acid in supplement form can improve the effectiveness of antidepressants.
5) 5-HTP
5-HTP is short for 5-hydroxytryptophan. It's produced naturally in the body and is used to make the neurotransmitter serotonin. Although taking 5-HTP in supplement form may theoretically boost the body's serotonin levels, many experts feel there is not enough evidence to determine the safety of 5-HTP. It should not be combined with antidepressants.

6) Diet
Reduce your intake of sweets
Sweets temporarily make you feel good as blood sugar levels soar, but may worsen mood later on when they plummet.


Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol both dampen mood. Alcohol temporarily relaxes us and caffeine boosts energy, but the effects of both are short-lived. Both can worsen mood swings, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.


Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is needed to produce the mood-enhancing neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Although deficiency of vitamin B6 is rare, a borderline deficiency may occur in people taking oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and drugs for tuberculosis.


Magnesium
Most people do not get enough magnesium in their diets. Good sources of magnesium are legumes, nuts, whole grains and green vegetables. Like vitamin B6, magnesium is needed for serotonin production. Stress depletes magnesium.

7) Exercise
Regular exercise is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to improve mood.

Exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, releases mood-elevating chemicals in the brain and can decrease stress hormones.

One of the best options to bust the blues is taking a brisk walk outside each morning for at least 30 minutes five days a week.
But what's important is that you choose something you enjoy and will stick with, whether it's going to the gym, signing up for dance classes, playing tennis, or gardening.

8) Light Therapy
Getting enough sunlight has been shown to be effective for seasonal mood changes that happen in the darker winter months.

Exposure to light in the morning helps the body's sleep/wake cycle work properly. Production of serotonin, a brain chemical that key in influencing our mood, is turned on in the morning upon exposure to light. During the winter when there is less sunlight, serotonin levels can drop, making us feel tired and prone to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

One of the most simple ways to increase your exposure to light is to walk outdoors in the morning. Just be sure to use sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet light.

Another option is to use special lights that simulate natural daylight. Studies have found they are effective.

These lights can be found online. There are different types available, from light boxes to visors, that are typically used for 20-30 minutes a day. Look for lights with a minimum of 3,000 lux. many experts suggest 10,000 lux.

Although they are rather expensive ranging from $150 to $500, they may be covered by insurance.

9) Other Natural Remedies

Flower remedies

Yoga

Acupuncture

natural Lithium, HTP, L-tryotophan, St. John's Wort.....
and the list of suppliments beneficial for depression goes on and on. BOTTOM line you need to consult with a natural healthcare provider because you need to know what your blood levels are before taking some of these and what is right for one person may not work for someone else because the cause may be different.

Exercise

Saint John's Wort.

It kicks in in 2 and half weeks.

5htp and Rhodiola Rosea (Siberian Golden Root).

my depression and anxiety is now under control with these two supplements.

The leaves from the plant that produces passionfruit, passionflower herb, when made into a tea are exceptionally useful as an antidepressant and is also used to treat nervousness and anxiety, insomnia and nightmares, to alleviate mood swings and as a gentle sedative and relaxant.

The passionflower organic loose leaf variety of the herb encourages the uptake of tryptophan, which is an amino acid that assists deep sleep, as well as maintaining levels of serotonin, which is a hormone that is crucial in regulating mood swings and depression.

Check out this link for a complete list of herbs and their cautions ~ with passionflower it is wise to consult a nutritionally oriented physician or naturopath or herbalist if you are pregnant or breast feeding and not to use on infants or young children.


~ http://www.hystercity.com/modules.php?op...

Any good health food store should be able to supply you with the organic variety of this herb....... only organic will suffice as the commercial and tea bag varieties have had so much of the goodness pulverised from they could never possibly be of any therapeutic use. Also, the spent leaves can generally be reused once more as the essential oils are still so potent in them, so you really do get your money's worth ?

Foods rich in Tryptophan do a brilliant of conquering the blues i reckon.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that's used by the brain - along with B6, B3, and magesium (known as the antistress mineral) - to produce serotonin (the natural feel good drug), a neurotransmitter that carries messages between the brain and one of the body's biochemical mechanisms of sleep.

The EFA's in foods rich in omega 3's such as cold water fishes like tuna, salmon, sardines and whiting are also essential in this process to nourish the neurons that are receiving the messages from the neurotransmitters. Cold water fishes such as salmon are particularly rich in the EFA's and will do a brilliant job of levelling out your stress and depression levels and smoothing any mood swings you may have.

Eat more foods rich in all these things ?

The Doctor doesn't tell you that when you go complaining of depression now does he .............. he surely should though.

Tryptophan will help induce natural sleep; reduce pain sensitivity; act as a nondrug antidepressant; alleviate migraines; aid in reducing anxiety and tension and help relieve some symptoms of alcohol-related body-chemistry disorders and aid in control of alcoholism.

Best natural food sources of Tryptophan are; cottage cheese, milk, meat, fish, turkey, bananas, dried dates, peanuts and all protein rich foods.

Best natural food sources for magnesium are: leafy and green vegies, nuts and seeds, cold water fishes such as tuna, sardines, whiting and salmon.

Best natural food sources for niacin are: the white meat of chicken, whole wheat products, roasted peanuts, fish, eggs, avoacadoes, dates, figs and prunes.

Best natural food sources for vitamin B6 are: wheat germ, fish, soybeans, brewer's yeast, cantaloupe, cabbage, blackstgrap molasses, unmilled rice, eggs, oats, peanuts and walnuts.

By taking a good quality multi B complex supplement including all the B's ie: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 you will support your body in dealing with the everyday stresses life throws at us. ie: new job, new home, school studies ...... the B complex of vitamins is essential for healthy digestive, neural and immune systsem functioning.Don't, however, buy any of the B complex of vitamins individually, but rather as a whole complex, unless under instructions from a nutritionally oriented physician or naturopath.

Bear in mind also that calcium and vitamin D and vitamin B6 are needed to effectively absorb vitamin B12, part of the B complex of vitamins, so eat more foods rich in calcium and try to get at least 10 - 15 minutes of safe sun exposure on a daily basis...... cold water fishes such as salmon and tuna are rich in both calcium and vitamin D..... vitamin B6 will be included as part of a Bcomplex of vitamins supplement or simply eat more foods rich in B6 ~ wheat germ, brewers yeast, liver, fish, cantaloupe, unmilled rice, eggs & oats?

The whole food source of tryptophan and all other vitamins, minerals amino acids etc.... will always be the most nutritious and easily assimilable form.

Hope this information helps you a bit.

Take care of you?

CHEERS
?

St. John's Wort, Choline, B-12, running. and any exercize that involves up and down motion, like jumping rope, or jumping on a trampoline.





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