| Major depression is a serious medical illness affecting | | | | norepinephrine, and GABA. Hypericin extract appears |
| 9.9 million American adults, or approximately 5 percent | | | | to inhibit serotonin uptake by postsynaptic receptors |
| of the adult population in a given year. Many people | | | | and increase synaptic dopamine concentration. |
| suffering from depression are not aware that there | | | | Recommended dosage 300 mg three times a day. |
| are natural remedies for depression that are a safe | | | | Natural remedies for depression can provide persons |
| and effective alternative to psychiatric medication. | | | | suffering with depression a safe and effective |
| Lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications, stress | | | | alternative to taking pharmaceutical medications or |
| reduction and exercise can also have a positive effect | | | | enable them to reduce the dose. |
| on depression symptoms. | | | | If you are taking an antidepressant, don't stop taking it |
| Common symptoms of depression are: | | | | on your own. Supplements can be used to reduce |
| Feeling sad, blue, incapable of feeling pleasure. | | | | dosages of prescription medication or provide an |
| Change in appetite. Eating too much or not enough. | | | | alternative, but this should be done under medical |
| Sleep disturbance, sleeping too much or too little. | | | | supervision. |
| Feeling hopeless, worthless, guilty, low self esteem. | | | | Dietary Remedies |
| Loss of energy, no motivation, no interest or pleasure | | | | Folic acid |
| in activities. | | | | Folic acid is needed to make the neurotransmitter |
| Persistent physical symptoms such as aches, pains, | | | | group called the catecholamines including dopamine, |
| headaches, stomach aches, and pain which no physical | | | | norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Research suggests |
| cause can be found can also be a form of depression. | | | | that folic acid depletion may help contribute to |
| Thoughts of death and suicide. | | | | depression, anxiety and panic. |
| Causes of Depression | | | | Sources: Asparagus, Beets, Brussels sprouts, Bok |
| Depression can be triggered by traumatic life events, | | | | choy, Peas, fresh, Beans, dried, Chick-peas, Soybeans, |
| poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, blood sugar | | | | Lentils, Oranges, Turkey, Cabbage, Savoy, Spinach, |
| imbalances, allergies, medical illness, lack of exercise, | | | | Broccoli, Avocados |
| drug and alcohol use, and digestive difficulties. These | | | | Magnesium |
| triggers are known to cause or contribute to | | | | Magnesium may be beneficial for depression by |
| neurotransmitter imbalances and depletion. | | | | helping in the formation if certain neurotransmitters and |
| Finding the cause of depression means addressing the | | | | because it helps muscles to relax. |
| biochemistry of the brain. This can require testing such | | | | Sources : Spinach, Avocados, Chocolate, Pumpkin |
| as Neurotransmitter testing, blood chemistry panels, | | | | seeds, Oysters, Sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, |
| thyroid and hormone testing. | | | | Buckwheat, Amaranth, Quinoa, Almonds, Barley. |
| Proven Natural Depression Remedies | | | | Niacin |
| Targeted Amino Acid Therapy (TAAT) | | | | Niacin is needed for nerve cell function. Niacin helps the |
| Targeted Amino Acid Therapy or TAAT is designed | | | | body to release energy from carbohydrates, control |
| to address neurotransmitter deficiencies or imbalances. | | | | blood sugar, and maintain proper nervous system |
| Neurotransmitters are synthesized from various amino | | | | function. |
| acid precursors. Serotonin, for example, is synthesized | | | | Sources: Rice, brown, Lamb, Pomegranates, Tuna, |
| from 5-HTP, and oral doses of 5-HTP have been | | | | Chicken, Turkey, Wheat |
| shown to significantly elevate serotonin levels. | | | | Omega-3 fatty acids |
| A non-invasive neurotransmitter lab test is available to | | | | Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in the cell signaling, |
| measure your neurotransmitter and hormones levels. | | | | and compose part of the cell membrane making it fluid. |
| This test will determine which neurotransmitters are | | | | It reduces inflammatory processes, and is involved in |
| too high or to low. If an imbalance is present targeted | | | | several aspects of neurotransmitter function. Low |
| amino acid therapy can help bring them back into | | | | levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been found the |
| balance thereby reducing or eliminating symptoms such | | | | diet and cell membranes of depressed individuals. |
| as anxiety or depression. The program uses a | | | | Sources: Salmon, Trout, Tuna. |
| combination of specific amino acids, vitamins, and | | | | Vitamin B6 |
| minerals that will increase your body's production of | | | | Vitamin B6 is a cofactor vitamin required for the |
| neurotransmitters. These formulas can be used alone | | | | manufacture of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), |
| or in conjunction with other therapies your practitioner | | | | such as serotonin. Serotonin is one of the |
| may prescribe. The right balance of these chemicals | | | | neurotransmitters that promotes feelings of wellbeing. |
| can set the stage for restoring your health. You brain | | | | Vitamin B6 may also help boost the immune system |
| and nervous system will once again send strong | | | | during times of depression and anxiety. |
| signals to the rest of your body. | | | | Sources: Sweet potatoes, Avocados, Bananas, |
| 5HTP | | | | Mangoes, Sunflower seeds, Tuna, Chick-peas, Salmon, |
| 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid. It is | | | | Pork, fresh, Potatoes, Turkey, Chicken, Bok choy, Rice, |
| found in high concentrations in the brain and acts as a | | | | brown, and Barely. |
| building block for the brain to make serotonin. Under the | | | | Vitamin B12 |
| proper stimulus the brain will turn 5-HTP into serotonin | | | | Vitamin B12 is involved in the synthesis of |
| and/or melatonin. Because of this mechanism, 5-HTP is | | | | neurotransmitters. It works in concert with other B |
| a very gentle yet powerful product to support mood. | | | | vitamins. B12 supports the nervous system and assists |
| 5-HTP may work synergistically with certain nutritional | | | | the body in converting food into energy. |
| supplements to support mood. This nutritive amino acid | | | | Sources: Beef, Yogurt, Tuna, Lamb, Oysters, Trout, |
| may also support a healthy sleep cycle. Serotonin is | | | | Crab, Clams |
| involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite control. | | | | Lifestyle Changes |
| L-Carnitine | | | | Have a home environment that provides natural light |
| L-Carnitine is an amino acid that has been reported to | | | | Use as much natural lighting in your home as possible. |
| safely alleviate depression in some people in doses of | | | | Unnatural florescent lighting can be especially |
| 1000 mg twice a day. Acetyl-L-carnitine is a form of | | | | aggravating. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of |
| carnitine that has shown superior absorption effects to | | | | depression caused by insufficient natural light. People |
| regular L-carnitine. | | | | who live in areas with a prolonged winter are prone to |
| L-Tryptophan | | | | this type of depression. If you are not getting at least |
| L-Tryptophan is the precursor to Serotonin, a | | | | 15 minutes of exposure to natural sunlight consider |
| neurotransmitter in the brain, which is deficient in | | | | purchasing full spectrum lighting for the rooms you |
| depression. L-Tryptophan is a natural relaxant and | | | | spend most of your time. |
| helps alleviate insomnia by inducing normal sleep. | | | | Physical Exercise |
| L-Tryptophan reduces anxiety & depression; helps in | | | | Exercise can be one of the safest and most effective |
| the treatment of migraine headaches; helps the | | | | methods of decreasing depression. Cardiovascular |
| immune system; helps reduce the risk of artery & | | | | exercise combined with calming exercise such as |
| heart spasms. | | | | walking several times per week can be very beneficial. |
| SAM-e | | | | Try walking, swimming, bicycling, jogging, yoga, tai-chi, |
| SAM-e is involved in more than 35 biochemical | | | | skiing, and tennis; even golf burns calories. |
| reactions involving enzymatic transmethylation. | | | | Sufficient sleep |
| Methylation is the process by which the body rids itself | | | | Many people cannot sleep with depression. A restful |
| of compounds, synthesizes neurotransmitters, makes | | | | night is a key ingredient to help many deal with the |
| components of cartilage, regulates enzyme activity | | | | daily stresses of life. If you have depression and |
| within the cell, and maintains the flexibility of cell | | | | anxiety getting a good night's sleep is very important. |
| membranes. Serotonin and other brain chemicals | | | | Avoid stimulating activities before going to bed, like |
| require methylation to be synthesized. SAM-e | | | | reading a book, or exercising. Some dietary |
| promotes healthy joint function and comfort , boosts | | | | supplements that are helpful in establishing sleep are |
| mood and emotional well-being. The suggested dose | | | | melatonin and kava kava. Alcohol is a depressant, and |
| of SAMe to treat depression ranges from 400-1600 | | | | it can greatly interfere with your sleep patterns. Avoid |
| mg a day. | | | | alcohol and cigarettes before going to bed. |
| St. John's Wort | | | | Stress-Reduction Techniques |
| Numerous scientific studies have addressed the | | | | Stress depletes neurotransmitter levels. Mind/body |
| effectiveness and safety of standardized St. John's | | | | breathing exercises, physical exercise, yoga, tai chi, |
| Wort extract. There are many biologically active | | | | self-hypnosis, massage, meditation, and biofeedback |
| components in St. John's Wort, including: | | | | are just some of the stress reduction techniques used |
| naphthodianthrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin), | | | | for depression. Listening to music, relaxation CD's, and |
| xanthones, phloroglucinols, and various flavonoids, | | | | visual imagery are also effective stress reducers. |
| including flavonols and proanthocyanidins. It is thought to | | | | Meditation is a great tool to prevent those negative |
| work by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, | | | | thoughts from taking over. |