Depression - Natural lows & highs

 

BETWEEN 10-20% OF ALL VISITORS TO A GP ARE DEPRESSED.

It is a natural part of the human cycle to be depressed sometimes, just as we are all sometimes very happy. Life changing events such as moving home, giving birth, or losing a loved one can certainly cause a depression lasting weeks or months, but prolonged depression with no clear cause can be traumatic.

TIME FOR REFLECTION

Minor short-term depression can be our body telling us to take some time out for reflection from the daily stresses and strains, and a short break to make some decisions could be what we need.

WINTER BLUES

A number of people fall victim to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or Winter Blues, where the shortening of the daylight hours affects the body rhythms, leading to food cravings, depression and increased fatigue.

During these times many people turn to the GP and may be prescribed tranquillisers or anti-depressants and we have all heard horror stories of people addicted to these drugs experiencing the terrible side-effects of even short-term use. Of the most heavily prescribed anti-depressants, the key side-effects (believe it or not) include depression, nervousness, sedation,insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, headache and constipation.

If you’ve been down in the dumps for a few days, consider whether you really need to take a pill for boost without really assessing the cause. Are you eating well,? Exercising regularly? Managing your relationships well? Are you just measuring your life against unrealistic TV driven ideals?

To help you through the ups and downs of life and the natural remedies maze, call in to your local health food store.

 

The mood boosting health programme that really works

St John’s Wort
This well researched herb helps relieve mild depression, anxiety and sleep disorders due to its active constituent hypericin. The active compound in St John’s Wort helps to stop the breakdown of serotonin once it is at the receptor sites of the brain (an MAO inhibitor). Higher levels of serotonin are associated with an ability to cope with life and overall happiness. Consult your GP before taking St John’s Wort with medication. Rhodiola Rosea is an excellent alternative to St John’s Wort, which offers mood boosting and stress reducing properties. Suggested dose: 2-3 a day away from food.

Essential fatty acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for brain function. Individuals with depression are often low in omega 3 fatty acids. Supplement with Flax and also eat plenty of foods rich in Omega 3 EFAs like salmon and mackerel. Suggested dose: 1-2 tablespoons a day with food.

Antioxidants (A, C, E, Zinc, Selenium, glutathione, L-cysteine, carotenoids)

Detox function, immune boosting and healing all help to clear general metabolic channels and allow the body to function properly. Circulation in the fine capillaries of the brain can also be protected from atherosclerosis, thereby allowing essential oxygen and nutrients through in the blood for a healthy brain.Suggested dose: 2-3 a day with food.

B Complex with C

A deficiency in certain B vitamins is characteristic in cases of depression.

B vitamins help maintain proper brain chemistry, especially in relation to the activity and metabolism of brain neurotransmitters.

B5 deals with the causative factor of why someone is tired and stressed. It deals with cellular energy, and then nourishes the adrenal glands which support the body under stress. B6, B12 & Folic acid are also highly beneficial at changing an even nastier components in the blood stream, homocysteine, back into the harmless and beneficial amino acid methionine. Homocysteine can lead to the furring of capillaries and arteries leading to impaired brain function and subsequent depression as essential nutrients cannot get through to brain tissues. A B-complex is therefore essential for general good health, reducing chances of atherosclerosis, stress, inflammation and tiredness by helping the body release energy from food and nourishing all nerves. Suggested dose: 2-3 a day with food.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo helps to increase circulation through the small capillaries in the body and brain, which helps to flush oxygen and nutrients through tissues, enhancing normal brain activity and function. Twin with extra antioxidants to help reduce atherosclerosis of the brain capillaries (furring of the arteries), thereby enhancing the effect of the ginkgo.Suggested dose: 1-3 a day away from food.

Foods / Lifestyle

Cut out or reduce sugars, caffeine, processed fats, alcohol and tobacco.

 

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These documents are reproduced with kind permission from Viridian-Nutrition.