| The numbers are staggering. The National | | | | but we know that the Japanese, who eat more |
| Institutes of Health estimates that 9.5% of | | | | than 3 times the amount of omega 3-rich fish |
| us will experience some form of depression | | | | (like salmon) than we do, have the lowest |
| during any given calendar year and the World | | | | rates of major depression in the |
| Health Organization found that depression is | | | | industrialized world. |
| so common that by the year 2020, depression | | | | |
| will be the second leading cause of | | | | 5-HTP is a substance made in the brain from |
| disability worldwide.Unfortunately, natural | | | | the naturally occurring amino acid trytophan. |
| and alternative medicine has little to offer | | | | For decades, nutritionists have recognized |
| someone who is severely depressed but if you | | | | tryptophan's role in seratonin production but |
| deal with infrequent bouts of mild depression | | | | tryptophan has also been linked to liver |
| ask your doctor if adding behavioral | | | | damage and asthma attacks so it's no longer |
| modification, dietary changes or herbal | | | | recommended routinely. 5-HTP should never be |
| supplements is appropriate for you. | | | | taken by pregnant women. |
| | | | |
| Behavioral modifications like learning to | | | | St. Johns Wort, known botanically as |
| recognize and arrest negative self-talk can | | | | Hypericum perforatum, has been shown to be as |
| be an effective way to stem mild depression | | | | effective as prescription anti-depressants in |
| before it gets a chance to progress. Your | | | | over 30 double-blind studies. Unfortunately, |
| doctor can refer you to an appropriate | | | | it hasn't shown much promise to the severely |
| therapy program that will help you understand | | | | depressed, but for bouts of mild depression, |
| exactly what self-talk is and how it can be | | | | it seems to an effective option for some |
| used to combat depression naturally. | | | | people. St. Johns wort is known to react |
| | | | with several prescription drugs so never |
| Dr. Andrew Weil calls exercise "the most | | | | begin a regimen of St. Johns wort for mild |
| effective treatment" he knows for mild | | | | depression without first discussing it with |
| depression. Running a marathon may be the | | | | your doctor. |
| last thing you want to do when you're | | | | |
| depressed but a light daily exercise program | | | | SAM-e is perhaps the most promising of the |
| (like walking for 20 minutes a day) may be | | | | natural treatments for mild depression. |
| very helpful in the battle against mild | | | | SAM-e, or s-adenosylmethionine, is a compound |
| depression. | | | | made from methionine, an essential fatty acid |
| | | | needed naturally by our bodies. SAM-e works |
| Sunlight exposure--or a lack of it--seems to | | | | by increasing the activity of |
| play a significant role in some people's | | | | neurotransmitters like dopamine and |
| vulnerability to depression, especially the | | | | serotonin. SAM-e works faster than St. Johns |
| type of depression doctors call seasonal | | | | wort and 5-HTP and doesn't seem to have any |
| affective disorder or SAD. | | | | serious or long-term side effects.As with any |
| | | | medical condition, it's extremely important |
| Caffeine and alcohol avoidance may be | | | | that you work with your doctor to develop a |
| helpful for some people struggling with | | | | whole-life approach to your depression. |
| depression. Both of these substances play a | | | | Suddenly stopping your prescription |
| significant role in mood and can make mood | | | | medications can be dangerous so always |
| swings more pronounced. | | | | consult your doctor first. And let him know |
| | | | about any herbal or nutritional supplements, |
| Omega 3 fatty acids are a relatively new | | | | too, to prevent potentially dangerous |
| tool in the fight against depression. Omega | | | | interactions. You can beat depression.Lisa |
| 3 fatty acids seem to play a vital role in | | | | Barger is a traditional naturopath |
| the fight against some forms of depression. | | | | specializing in natural health education. To |
| Scientific research is sketchy at this time | | | | learn more about Ms. |