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