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