What Can Psychotherapy Do For You When You Are Suffering From Depression?

Psychotherapy can be a powerful complement to the depression treatment programs we've talked about thus far. Although I don't believe every person who is depressed needs psychotherapy, I do believe it can enhance recovery in many cases, especially among people whose depression is related to a psychological event, such as death of a spouse, divorce, or another type of loss or trauma.

The severe stress associated with such events suppresses neurotransmitters and endorphins. Amino acid therapy, nutritional supplements, and other efforts can make significant headway in eliminating the depression experienced by these individuals, but the addition of psychotherapy :an be the factor that helps people make a faster and more satisfying recovery.

The 2 Basic Approaches For Zen Meditation

Generally, there are two basic approaches to Zen meditation: concentrative and mindfulness. In concentrative meditation, you focus your attention on something repetitive, such as a repeated word or phrase, your breathing, or an object (a lighted candle, say, or something in nature). The idea is that your concentrated effort helps you rid your mind of extraneous thoughts and to be still.

In mindfulness, you are an observer of your own thoughts, but you do not allow yourself to participate in them. Some people liken it to watching a parade going by: You acknowledge your thoughts but you stay on the sidelines and don't allow yourself to think about them.

Zen meditation is an effective tool in the fight against depression and stress, and it doesn't have to cost you anything except some time to learn more about it. You can learn how to meditate from books, audiotapes, videos, meditation classes, and stress-reduction clinics. Click on the image below for help in learning more about Zen meditation:

Mediation Helps Depression. Find Out Why...

Depression is characterized by low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness and isolation. Meditation increases a person's self-confidence, self-worth, and sense of belonging in the world. Thus it's fortunate that meditation is shedding its coat of mystery and is being accepted by the mainstream, including those in the medical realm, as a viable way to treat depression, stress, and tension. And a big reason for that acceptance is that there's scientific research into the effectiveness of meditation showing this to be true.

A review of twenty studies that looked at the use of mindfulness meditation (a form of meditation I explain on page 271) to relieve conditions such as depression, anxiety, and pain found that this approach may help many people cope with these and similar medical problems. Why does this improvement occur? Researchers at James Cook University of North Queensland, Australia, studied the relationship between various hormones and mood changes in eleven elite runners and twelve trained meditators. We know from other studies that hormone levels change after exercise, but what effect does meditation have? The Australian study showed that mood was elevated after running and after meditation, and that both groups had similar increases in corticotropin-releasing hormone levels. It was concluded that both running and meditation can improve mood and that this improvement is associated with changes in corticotrophin releasing hormone levels.

I personally advocate zen meditation as it has powerful mental healing characteristics. Want to know more about meditation and it's benefits? Click on the image to find out what Zen Meditation can do for you to ease your mind now!

Yogic Breathing Which Helps

There are various yogic breathing techniques, but here is one of the easiest to learn.

1. Sit comfortably in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
2. Loosen any clothing that may be tight or restrictive around your abdomen, waist, and chest.
3. Place your hands in a relaxed position on your lap.
4. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind and above your upper front teeth. You should keep your tongue in this position throughout the exercise.
5. Breathe in slowly through your nose (keep your mouth closed) to a count of five. Be conscious of allowing your abdomen to expand as you breathe in.
6. Hold your breath for a count of seven.
7. Exhale slowly through your mouth to a count of six or seven. You may make a "whooshing" sound as you exhale.
8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 for a total of five breaths.

Researchers found evidence of yoga's ability to significantly reduce depression and anxiety in a study of twenty-eight young adults with mild depression. Midway through the ten hours of yoga instructions done over a five-week period, individuals who participated in the yoga classes reported significantly decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with controls.

If you want to include yoga as part of your program, you will need some instruction, which I recommend. Take a look as follows:

Have Your Tried Yoga Against Depression Yet?

Step back about five thousand years and practice the art of yoga as a way to reduce stress. The goal of yoga, which means "union," is to become one with your true self, but the focus of many who practice it today is stress control, improved physical fitness, and enhanced mental clarity. There are many different types of yoga; some concentrate on physical strength and flexibility, while others emphasize spiritual growth. Regardless of which yoga discipline you choose, the practice should be used to complement treatment of depression, not replace it.

Proper breathing is a critical part of yoga, and several studies have looked at the effects of yogic breathing on depression. In one study, severely depressed patients got as much relief from daily practice of yogic breathing as they did from an antidepressant; in another, the breathing exercises produced faster improvement than no treatment at all. To appreciate a very simple type of yogic exercise, click on the image below to find out more.

Forms Of Relaxation Therapies That Aid Depression Recovery

Your exercise sessions should be a time you release stress, not add to it. But if you're someone who feels as if you're wasting time if you dedicate thirty minutes a day to a brisk walking program, you can relieve your stress and your depression if you take along a hand held CD cassette player and listen to music or an instructional tape while you work out. Take along a mini cassette recorder and tape notes-letters you need to send, your grocery list, your to-do list for the day-while you're on the move.

When you are experiencing physical or emotional stress, your body releases hormones that affect every cell in your body. Participation in these or other relaxation therapies, too numerous to cover here, can provide a powerful boost to any depression treatment program.

Moving Out Of Depression With Non-Conventional Methods - Walking, Jogging, Swimming, Biking

If there were a pill that could motivate people to exercise without any side effects, of course-I'd prescribe it in a minute. There certainly is a big need for such a product, and the inventor would probably become wealthy overnight. Alas, no such incentive is available, and so we are left with hard, scientific proof that exercise is beneficial on many fronts, including as a treatment for depression, as our motivator. And so here goes.

Making the First Move

If there's only one thing I can say about exercise, I'd say make each session as much fun as possible. Naturally, choose activities you like and that don't breed stress. If you hate swimming, don't include it as part of your program. If you enjoy walking or jogging but don't like to do it alone, find a friend who will go with you, join a walking club, or start your own at work or in your neighborhood. If safety or transportation is a limiting issue for you, you might feel more secure exercising at home with a treadmill or exercise bike or using exercise videos.

Diversify your exercise program. Many people find walking, jogging, and/or running to be relatively easy exercises to pursue, but swimming, biking, and others that require equipment or special environments are not as convenient, and membership in a health club can be a financial burden.

If you have a VCR or DVD player, you can pop in an exercise program or one on yoga or tai chi and enjoy these activities in the privacy of your own home, at your convenience. If you have access to home exercise equipment such as a treadmill, exercise bike, or rowing machine (many people own such equipment and use it as a clotheshorse; ask relatives, friends, or co-workers if they have one they are willing to lend to you), you can add some diversity to your program in this way as well.

The Other Factors Towards The Recovery For Depression

The resiliency of the human body and mind is truly amazing, and there is no question you can harness it to help you beat depression. Along with amino acid therapy, nutritional modifications, and hormone balancing, which are important parts of my treatment program, many of my patients have found that lifestyle changes, including modifications to their exercise and sleep habits, the addition of stress-reduction techniques, or psychotherapy, just to name a few, have made a significant and positive difference in their mood. Nurturing loving family relationships and other meaningful relationships are also extremely important. In this chapter, I share some of those recommended lifestyle modifications with you and tell you how to implement them.

Admittedly, when people are depressed, they often don't have the motivation or desire to make changes to their lifestyle. Generally, people prefer to find relief and cures in pills rather than in behavior modification. Yet the success of pills very much depends on attitude and actions. The most balanced amino acid and hormonal therapy plans won't provide much benefit if you sleep for only three or four hours a night, have a highly stressful job, never take time to relax, and rarely get any exercise.

I'll be explaining the benefits of lifestyle changes that, while complementary to the therapies you have read about in my earlier blog posts, clearly can have a positive effect on mood, and offer suggestions on how you can incorporate them into your life.

My Conclusion About Hormonal Changes Towards Depression

Several specific hormones play a key role in the development and treatment of depression and other mood disorders. The fact that these hormones have intimate relationships not only with one another but also with various neurotransmitters makes successful treatment of depression more likely if you work with a physician who understands this relationship and how to prescribe appropriate hormones, amino acids, and nutrients to restore hormonal balance.

The resiliency of the human body and mind is truly amazing, and there is no question you can harness it to help you beat depression. Along with amino acid therapy, nutritional modifications, and hormone balancing, which are important parts of my treatment program, many of my patients have found that lifestyle changes, including modifications to their exercise and sleep habits, the addition of stress-reduction techniques, or psychotherapy, just to name a few, have made a significant and positive difference in their mood. Nurturing loving family relationships and other meaningful relationships are also extremely important. In this chapter, I share some of those recommended lifestyle modifications with you and tell you how to implement them.

Admittedly, when people are depressed, they often don't have the motivation or desire to make changes to their lifestyle. Generally, people prefer to find relief and cures in pills rather than in behavior modification. Yet the success of pills very much depends on attitude and actions. The most balanced amino acid and hormonal therapy plans won't provide much

Do You Have Melantonin Deficiency? What Can You Do About It Then?

If there's one substance in the body that holds superior power over your sleep, that substance would be the hormone melatonin. And if you've ever wondered why people who are depressed are usually plagued with sleep problems, it's usually because they are deficient in serotonin, one of the main neurotransmitters associated with depression and the precursor of melatonin.

Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, which is located deep in the brain. Exposure of the eyes to bright daylight helps to synthesize melatonin. Melatonin is then released from the pineal gland at night while sleeping in darkness. Light immediately inhibits the secretion of melatonin, and this is one reason to sleep in the dark and to avoid exposure to light if you get up during the night, which may prevent you from going back to sleep. Also, if melatonin secretion is disrupted, sleep problems, behavioral changes, and mood disorders can occur. Numerous studies have shown decreased levels of melatonin in people with depression, as well as significantly low levels in depressed children and adolescents with psychosis compared with depressed individuals without psychosis.

A melatonin deficiency can be reversed if you maintain sufficient levels of serotonin. Since this neurotransmitter is deficient in many depressed people, boosting serotonin levels with 5-HTP and/or tryptophan, as discussed in chapter 4, ultimately results in higher melatonin levels. Melatonin is also available as a supplement, usually in 0.5 mg to 3 mg doses. If you are experiencing sleep problems with your depression and the amino acids are not increasing melatonin levels sufficiently to improve your sleep, then you may need a melatonin supplement. A typical starting dose is a 0.5 mg sublingual tablet at bedtime. It is best to take melatonin for a short time only; the goal is for the body to make its own melatonin after its precursor serotonin has been replenished. After using melatonin for one or two weeks, stop taking it to see if you still need it or if you can reduce your dose. However, at 0.5 mg to 3 mg (or even higher doses), there is no evidence that longer-term use is actually harmful.

Supplementation With Pregnenolone? What Does It Really Do?

Pregnenolone is produced from cholesterol and, similar to some other hormones, its production declines with age. By age seventy-five, the body produces 60 percent less than it did at age thirty-five. When pregnenolone levels decline, so do levels of other hormones for which it is a precursor, including the estro¬gens, progesterone, DHEA, cortisol, and testosterone. It follows that low levels of pregnenolone are associated with depression.

Pregnenolone is often touted for its ability to improve concentration and memory, but it is useful in treating depression as well. It is produced by the gonads (ovaries and testicles), adrenal glands, and liver in men and women, and is believed to prevent over activity of GABA and other hormones that inhibit brain function. It is abundant in the brain, where it helps facilitate the transmission of nerve signals. Research also indicates that pregnenolone improves the ability to handle stress and helps protect the myelin sheath membranes, which in turn protect the neurons and brain. It also can be produced in the brain instead of being transported there from other parts of the body. This fact supports evidence that pregnenolone plays a role in brain-related activities.

Pregnenolone should be used with caution if you have a history of seizures because of its effects on GABA receptor sites. As a precursor of DHEA and other hormones, preg¬nenolone may increase these hormone levels and create an imbalance, causing menstrual cycle changes and interacting with hormone therapy such as oral contraceptives.

Pregnenolone is available over the counter and by prescription from compounding pharmacies, as a tablet and sublingual powder. The usual starting dosage is about 30 mg daily, but higher dosages are available. Pregnenolone supplements enhance the body's ability to manufacture its own pregnenolone and progesterone, and also helps improve the function of the thyroid and other glands.

How Do Medical Practitioners Use DHEA ?

Before starting supplementation with DHEA, your blood should be tested for DHEAs levels or your saliva for levels of DHEA. If your levels are low and you begin supplementation, periodic blood testing or saliva levels should be done to determine whether your DHEA levels have reached an appropriate level as determined by your health-care practitioner. DHEA should not be used if you have a hormone-related cancer.

As a precaution, take antioxidants, such as vitamin E, NAC, and green tea, while using DHEA; very high doses (2,000 to 10,000 mg) of this hormone have caused liver damage in rodents. A typical dose of DHEA is 5 to 75 mg once a day in the morning. It can be taken with or without food; some people absorb the hormone better if it's taken thirty minutes before a meal, while others assimilate it better along with a fatty food. You may need to experiment to see which way works best for you.

To help ensure you are taking the optimal dose to restore your DHEA levels to youthful levels, your health-care practitioner should conduct a DHEA-S blood test three to six weeks after you begin DHEA therapy. The blood sample should be drawn three to four hours after the last dose was taken. The youthful ranges of DHEA-S are 400 to 560 mcg/dl for men and around 350 to 480 mcg/dl for women, but these ranges may vary from laboratory to laboratory.

Doctor's Warning

Before starting DHEA therapy, men should undergo a digital rectal examination and a serum PSA test to check for evidence of prostate disease, which might be aggravated by taking DHEA. That's because DHEA can be transformed into estrogen and testosterone, which can promote both malignant and benign prostate cell growth. However, there is no evidence that the hormone causes prostate cancer or benign prostate disease.

Understand How Dehydroepiandrosteron (DHEA) Works?

Although it's not clear exactly how DHEA relieves depression, there are several theories. One is the fact that DHEA is the precursor for two hormones that improve mood-testosterone and estrogen. Another is that DHEA and its metabolite, DHEA sulfate, easily cross the blood-brain barrier and thus can directly impact the activity of serotonin, GABA, and other elements in the brain that affect mood. DHEA also interferes with the actions of the stress hormone cortisol, which is elevated in people who have major depression, and counteracts its effects.

One goal of DHEA treatment is to restore an individual's DHEA level to the point it was at when he or she was about twenty-five to thirty years old, which is when DHEA peaks. This was the strategy in the first double-blind, placebo controlled study of DHEA’s ability to relieve symptoms in people with major depression. Patients were given 30 mg of DHEA for the first two weeks, 60 mg for the next two weeks, and 90 mg for the final two weeks.

Another group of patients received a placebo. After six weeks, nearly half of the treated patients had a 50 percent or greater decrease in depressive symptoms. In another study, 90 mg of DHEA daily for three weeks significantly reduced depressive symptoms among patients with dysthymia. The response rate overall was 60 percent, which is better than the response to antidepressants for dysthymia. Most people responded within ten days.

Why Is Dehydroepiandrosteron (DHEA) So Amazing?

The (DHEA) is called a "mother" hormone because several other hormones are derived from it. DHEA is the most abundant hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It is especially abundant in the brain and plays an important role in determining mood. In the 1950s, in fact, DHEA was studied for use as an antidepressant. Although it was shown to be effective, further research wasn't pursued until the 1980s, when interest in DHEA as an anti-aging supplement and the hormone's abilities to relieve depression was noted once again.

DHEA is important in determining mood by itself and because it is a precursor hormone that promotes the production of other hormones involved in brain function and emotional balance. One clue that DHEA is a vital player in nervous system activity is the fact that the brain contains nearly seven times more DHEA than any other organ. Thus, a decline in DHEA levels, which begins to occur naturally around age twenty-five, could be expected to have an impact on mood and brain activity. Such thinking has fueled hopes that giving DHEA as a supplement can alleviate depression and related symptoms.

In a study published in February 2005, researchers examined whether DHEA is an effective treatment for depression that appears in midlife. Twenty-three men and twenty-three women aged forty-five to sixty-five who had major or minor depression of moderate severity were randomly assigned to receive either DHEA therapy or placebo for six weeks. After six weeks, all the participants received no therapy for one or two weeks, and then the treatment groups were reversed-the original DHEA group received placebo and the placebo group received DHEA for six weeks. Overall, 50 percent of the participants had a significant and positive response to DHEA-improvement in depression and sexual functioning while compared with placebo and baseline (before the study began).

Ways And Suggestions To Treating Thyroid Dysfunction

In my experience and that of many other physicians, the synthetic T4 is not as effective as the desiccated thyroid (thyroid extract), which contains both T3 and T4. To treat an under active thyroid, I recommend beginning with a low dose of thyroid extract, with gradual increases until the optimal dosage is reached. It can take four to six weeks to feel the full benefits. Generally, I start patients on X grain (15 mg) daily. Then I increase the dosage by X grain each week until we reach 1 to 2 grains daily. Usually the optimal dosage is in this range, although some patients need more. However, our new policy is to try therapeutic doses of iodine (along with supportive nutrients) first and prescribe the thyroid extract only if the iodine fails to get the thyroid to function adequately on its own.

In patients with weak adrenal function, a condition sometimes seen among people with chronic depression, this problem must be treated first or simultaneous to the thyroid treatment. This is because cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands, is necessary to convert T4 to active T3. Indications of low adrenal function include allergies, asthma, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, skin problems, joint or muscle pain, mood swings, phobias, and weeping.

My preferred approach for patients with both low adrenal and low thyroid functioning is to first try to support the adrenals with nutritional supplements, such as vitamins C and B6, pantothenic acid, and adrenal extracts, while cautiously adding iodine and other support for the thyroid gland. If this fails to get a reasonable clinical response in several weeks, I then start low doses of hydrocortisone (cortisol) and thyroid extract. Nutritional support (for instance, avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugar, and caffeine, and eating whole fruits and vegetables) is recommended for everyone and is the only treatment necessary for some individuals. Although many people need to take thyroid hormones indefinitely, we are sometimes able to reduce and stop treatment as we strengthen the body and thyroid through nutrition, detoxification, and other methods discussed earlier. I also suspect that many patients who are currently taking thyroid hormone will be able to taper it and eventually stop it once they become iodine-sufficient.

Another consideration when treating hypothyroidism is the need to restore balance in other areas. For example, thyroid hormone is essential for a process called oxidative phosphorylation, which the body uses to store energy by using oxygen to oxidize food. This process requires vitamins Bl' B2' B3' and B5' as well as coenzyme QI0, several minerals, and other nutrients. If an individual is deficient or has low levels of these substances, then a prescribed thyroid hormone will not work optimally and may even cause side effects. Additionally, other hormones may require adjustment.

Hyperthyroidism, a much less common condition, also may cause depression. The current standard of care for this condition is surgery, radioactive iodine (to destroy the thyroid), or relatively toxic thyroid-suppressive drugs. Therapeutic doses of iodine may be a safe and effective treatment for many of these cases.

Finally, because conventional blood tests are inadequate to monitor the results of treatment, the best thing your doctor can do is ask you how you feel, note whether symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland have developed, and monitor your basal body temperature.

Are You Pregnant And Suffering From Depression? Read This First...

Thyroid testing identifies the levels of several hormones, including T4 and T3, which are the most active of the thyroid hormones; and thyroid-stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary gland that controls the production and secretion of thyroxine. When T3 and T4 levels rise, the pituitary secretes less TSH, which causes production ofT3 and T4 to decline, restoring balance. If T3 and T4 levels fall, secretion of TSH again increases, which boosts production ofT3 and T4.

Testing for T3, T4, and TSH levels is a good start if you have symptoms of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, but because the normal range for these blood tests is wide, it's possible to have thyroid dysfunction with so-called normal test results. Measurement of thyroid antibodies can provide additional information about the risk of depression and treatment prognosis. One report, for example, found that women with high levels of antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies are more likely to become depressed than those without these antibodies. A subsequent study concluded that testing for antibody levels "seems necessary," especially in the elderly and in individuals who do not respond to depression treatment

While women are more likely to have thyroid hormone imbalance (especially hypothyroidism) than men are, a subgroup of women are at particular risk. Up to 10 percent of new mothers develop postpartum thyroiditis, chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, and concurrent depression. This condition can be diagnosed with tests that check for antibodies against the thyroid. Research has shown that up to 50 percent of women who have high levels of thyroid antibodies during their first trimester develop postpartum thyroiditis and are subsequently at risk for postpartum depression. These women may be iodine-insufficient and will probably respond to iodine supplementation. Women who are significantly iodine insufficient and then become pregnant will become much more insufficient, because iodine is preferentially transported to the fetus. As the woman becomes more insufficient, she is likely to develop anti thyroid antibodies, and after delivery is more likely to develop postpartum depression.

In recent years, studies of depression have shown that some people who take antidepressants respond better if they also take T3. In one particular study of patients who had hypothyroidism, those who took a combination ofT3 and T4 had better results in regard to mental and emotional symptoms than those who took T4 alone. Unfortunately, most patients with hypothyroidism who are treated conventionally usually take only T4. Occasionally patients are given T3 (as the medication Cytomel), which must be taken several times a day and can cause mood and energy swings. To prevent these problems, a physician could prescribe long-acting T3, which is available from compounding pharmacies. Today, however, I would certainly try therapeutic doses of iodine before prescribing long-acting T3.

Understanding How Do Thyroid Hormones Affect You

If you're looking at the Symptom Profile for thyroid dysfunction and nodding, you have a lot of company. According to the Thyroid Society, 10 to 15 percent of people who are depressed have hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone production) and, conversely, most people who have hypothyroidism are depressed. Indeed, hypothyroidism is one of the most under diagnosed conditions in the United States.

Hypothyroidism is characterized by low energy and fatigue, especially in the morning, as well as depression, difficulty losing weight, headache, brittle nails, slowed thought processes, a sensation of coldness (especially in the hands and feet), chronic constipation, fluid retention, and dry, coarse skin. An underactive thyroid can also cause stiff joints, muscle cramps, shortness of breath on exertion, menstrual irregularities, chest pain, and PMS. People with hypothyroidism may have many or a few of these symptoms.

About The Thyroid

Located in the front of the neck just below the voice box, the thyroid gland consists of two small lobes that are connected. It is responsible for the speed of metabolic processes throughout the body; if it is not functioning properly, organs become infiltrated with metabolic wastes and sluggish.

When the thyroid gland is working properly, it uses tyrosine and iodine to make the thyroid hormone thyroxine, or T4, so called because it contains four iodine atoms. Those suffering an iodine deficiency develop an enlarged thyroid gland (called a goiter) and symptoms of hypothyroidism. The other important thyroid hormone is triiodothyronine or T3, which has three iodine atoms. Triiodothyronine is the major active thyroid hormone, being much more active than T 4. T 4 is produced within the thyroid gland and is later converted to the active T3 outside the thyroid gland.

Under certain conditions, such as stress, the thyroid gland may produce sufficient amounts of T4 to obtain normal thyroid blood tests, but its conversion to T3 may be inhibited, causing a relative insufficiency of active T3. In this case, a patient will have hypothyroid symptoms despite normal thyroid blood tests. This fact results in many missed diagnoses of an underactive thyroid. Overproduction of thyroid hormone, hyperthyroidism, may also have depression as one of its symptoms.

Unfortunately, many people who seek treatment for depression do not undergo thyroid testing, which means that many cases of frank hypothyroidism that could be proven by blood tests are overlooked, and the patients end up receiving inappropriate, ineffective treatment. In addition, the usual thyroid blood tests are often not sensitive enough to detect a functional thyroid deficiency. Therefore, sometimes it's necessary to try medication when the symptoms and low basal temperatures suggest a functional thyroid deficiency.

Too often, conventional physicians will test for thyroid hormone levels and, when they obtain "normal" results, rule out thyroid dysfunction as the culprit. Some of these functionally hypothyroid patients, a very significant percentage of the US population, may actually be suffering from iodine insufficiency and many are depressed.

Latest Updates: Using Hypnosis To Cure Depression!

After I have been researching on orthomolecular psychiatry and nutritional medicine for quite a number of years, I think that all medical practitioners should aim to solve the roots of the problem of depression. This is not an easy feat as it requires the patient who is suffering from depression to:

1. Adjust and tune an appropriate number of neurotransmitters for the brain
2. Forget about depression totally
3. Learning how to overcome hurdles and appreciate life

Simply put, we can introduce new antidepressants into the market everyday; we can implement all forms of therapy to make depressed patients feel better. But, depressed patients will find it hard to recover if their life paths have yet to move in the proper direction.

For example,

“A woman feels very depressed as she lost her husband and only son in a car accident. Even as the medical practitioners administer all forms of treatment, there is an extremely high possibly that she will sink back into depression when she heads on with life.”

Hence, I had considered this strategy that all depressed patients should aim to cure the problem of depression at its roots.

Taking the earlier example:

“If the woman had adjusted her focus to other perspectives in her life, she would have realized that life isn’t meaningless. Her husband and son may be gone now. But, she could continue living for herself. She could think positively that by carrying on with her life progressively would be what her husband and her son really wanted for her. She could adopt a brand new lifestyle, get over the deaths of her husband and son and refuse to sink into depression.”

Isn’t this a better ending?

However, this isn’t the case for my patients. As much as I try to enlighten them on the fact that therapy and medicine can only help till a certain extent, I find it very challenging if they refuse to help themselves first.

Most depressed patients choose to remain oblivious of the good advice given by their family, friends and relatives. I looked for a solution and it finally occurred to me that hypnosis can actually forge a relationship with the inner self of a depressed individual. As a medical practitioner, it was easy for me to get the help of a fellow psychiatrist, Kelly Wenda, who specialized in hypnosis.

Firstly, I will refer patients to Wenda before they will come back to me for drug administering procedures. The response is go great now that my patients are fully discharged from this problem because they have finally seen the light!

I asked Wenda for some recommendations for Hypnosis Self-Help and she introduced me to the online Unexplainable Store . There are several programs which are linked to the various aspects in your life which induce the help of neurolinguistic programming.

If you are looking for Hypnosis solutions to your depression problems, perhaps you can try looking at the Unexplainable Store .

Futhermore, all their products come with a 90 Day Money Back Guarantee – No Questions Asked.

Take a look at these amazing products they have at their store:

The Truth About Testosterone On Depression

Several studies show that low testosterone levels in men are associated with low mood, and that supplementation improves well-being. But this is not true just for men. Cells throughout the body have testosterone receptor sites, especially in the brain. Testosterone helps control how nerves and the heart function, regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and has a role in the formation of bone and muscle-functions that occur in both sexes. You should also know that testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands as well as the testes; thus an underactive adrenal gland can aggravate testosterone deficiency in both sexes.

Thus, it is not surprising that low testosterone levels in women are associated with a high risk for depression, as well as painful intercourse, increased total body fat, lack of libido, and osteoporosis. (Note, however, that normal serum levels of testosterone in men are about ten times greater than the normal levels in women.) Like men, women experience a gradual and progressive decline in blood levels of testosterone; in women it begins around age twenty and continues until they reach menopause, after which testosterone levels remain relatively constant. High levels of the hormone can increase a woman's risk for depression as well. In contrast, women who have an excess of testosterone often have ovarian cysts, excessive body and facial hair, acne, and an accumulation of fat in the abdominal area. Because testosterone levels raise both before and after a woman gives birth, high levels may be responsible for postpartum depression. So a balance of testosterone-or any hormone-is necessary. The adage "If a little is good, more is better" definitely does not hold in the case of hormones. To achieve hormonal balance, testing hormone levels can be quite helpful, along with noting signs, symptoms, and clinical response to treatment.

Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who are depressed experience enhanced mood and energy when they take testosterone along with estrogen. If you are a woman and you and your physician decide that testosterone may improve your mood, it's important to carefully determine the optimal dose, because this hormone can stimulate male-like characteristics, Such as deepening of the voice and the appearance of facial or body hair. Natural testosterone can be included in an estrogen/progesterone formula prescribed by your physician and prepared by a compounding pharmacist. Natural testosterone is also available alone as a cream and an oral micronized capsule

The Impact Of Compounding Pharmacies

Today, the vast majority of prescriptions are filled by pharmacists who read patients' prescriptions, add the prescribed amount of medication to a container, and make an appropriate label. Most pharmacists are not really involved in preparing medications.

Compounding pharmacies specialize in preparing medications according to a physician's specific instructions. These pharmacies are very active in preparing bioidentical hormones by prescription. They will compound medications without potentially harmful additives and fill individual prescriptions that have been tailor-made for a particular patient, taking into consideration allergies or sensitivities, form of the drug, and other factors. Bioidentical hormones are available as micronized oral capsules, oral lozenges, patches, transdermal creams, gels, or oils. Many integrative, orthomolecular, functional medicine, and/or complementary and alternative physicians (these terms are basically synonomous) make extensive use of compounding pharmacies.

A compounding pharmacy can make an estrogen formulation that fits your needs, including bi-estrogen (containing estradiol and estriol) and progesterone, or tri-estrogen (estradiol, estrone, and estriol) along with progesterone. In addition, other hormones, such as testosterone, DHEA, and more, can be prepared as individual prescriptions or added to estrogen formulations.

Natural (Bioidentical) Natural Estrogen Treatment Versus Synthetic Hormone Replacement Therapy

For some women, treatment with natural estrogen and/or progesterone helps relieve depression. Before prescribing any type of hormone replacement, it is important to test the hormone levels, especially for depressed perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Testing for the hormone levels of estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone can be done using blood and/or saliva testing. One of the safest and most effective ways to restore estrogen-to-progesterone balance is to use bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones, also known as natural hormones, are hormones that have exactly the same biochemical formula as the ones made in the body.

A great deal of confusion exists within conventional medicine with regard to natural progesterone and synthetic progestins. The biochemical formula of synthetic hormones differs enough from the bioidentical formula to qualify for a patent. Under the influence of pharmaceutical companies, conventional medicine has generally prescribed synthetic sex hormones, implying that there is no difference in terms of safety and effectiveness between bioidentical and synthetic hormones. A recent large-scale study, which showed that women receiving synthetic hormone replacement therapy had higher incidences of breast cancer, strokes, and overall mortality, shocked the conventional medical community and resulted in a drastic reduction in synthetic hormone prescriptions. Unfortunately, even today, many physicians fail to distinguish between bioidentical progesterone and synthetic progestins, but this is changing. Common sense and studies on bioidentical hormones suggest that these hormones are safer and more effective than the synthetics, although there probably will never be a full large-scale study of this issue given the cost of such a study and the lack of financial incentives, since bioidentical hormones are not patentable.

Natural progesterone is derived from wild yam and is available over the counter as a transdermal cream that is applied to the skin. It is available in health food stores, but the quality control on some of these preparations is not very good, which is why I recommend getting natural progesterone either from a compounding pharmacies or from certain reliable over-the-counter suppliers of the transdermal cream.

The usual dosage of the transdermal cream is 15 to 25 mg of progesterone applied to the skin usually for about twenty-five days a month. However, in an attempt to mimic the menstrual cycle, progesterone can be used for half the month. Before trying out any methods, it is essential that you discuss with an experienced healthcare provider on the best method for you as an individual, taking into consideration the pros and cons of each method.

Bioidentical progesterone is available in oral micronized form (which is easier for human body to absorb into system) and can be obtained in any pharmacy though available dosages seem limited. Bioidentical estrogen is also available in oral form, transdermal patch and suppository.

Oral contraceptives which usually contain synthetic estrogens and progestins block ovulation, which results in women not producing enough natural progesterone during their menstrual period for that month. Progesterone has many protective functions in the body, and the use of oral contraceptives will result in a progesterone deficiency. The lack of natural progesterone along with the use of synthetic progestins might be the reason for the increased risk of blood clots, strokes, and other serious side effects such as depression that are often seen in young women who take oral contraceptives. It is advisable for depressed female patients to stop oral contraceptives and find an alternative method of contraception. For women who take oral contraceptives to regulate their menstrual periods, it is recommended for them to switch to bioidentical hormones such as natural progesterone if needed.

The Practice Of Estrogen And Progesteron Against Depression (Part 2)

Millions of women don't need results to convince them that fluctuating hormone levels have a significant impact on mood. Studies showed that the risk of developing depressive symptoms upon entering perimenopause for women with no past history of depression was three times greater than premenopausal women of the same age. Perimenopausal women who had vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes, hot flashes, and night sweats (these vasomotor symptons occur in about 85 percent of perimenopausal women) had more than six times the normal risk.

Results revealed relations among hormones, menopause, and depression. There was an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms during the transition to menopause (perimenopause) and a decreased likelihood after menopause. Changes in hormone levels contribute to low mood during perimenopause. The different levels of estrogen might impact depression in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Mood will improve by restoring estrogen levels to a normal range.

Bouts of depression do seem to follow the ebb and flow of hormonal changes. Neurotransmitters may be more sensitive to high levels of sex hormones or those that are in flux, which may in turn induce depression in some women. The sudden rise in the levels of estrogen during puberty, for example, changes the sensitivity of the neurotransmitter system. Pregnancy and childbirth cause significant changes in both estrogen and progesterone levels, while menopause is marked by a decline in both estrogen and progesterone. All of these hormonal changes may increase a woman's vulnerability to depression.

The Practice Of Estrogen And Progesteron Against Depression (Part 1)

Estrogen is a general term for a group of three hormones: estradiol, estrone, and estriol. Estradiol is the main estrogen produced by the ovaries and the dominant estrogen before menopause. Estrone, formed from estradiol, is weaker than estradiol yet it is the most prominent estrogen in the body after menopause when estradiol levels decline. Estriol, the weakest estrogen out of the three hormones, is made from estrone, and is produced in large amounts during pregnancy. A small amount of estrogen is present in men.

Progesterone is manufactured from pregnenolone, which is synthesized from cholesterol. The ovaries produce both estrogen and progesterone, and throughout a woman's lifetime, the balance between these two hormones can vary from day to day, month to month, and year to year. The fluctuations begin in puberty and stop in menopause, when the ovaries dramatically decrease estrogen production and nearly cease progesterone production. The adrenals also produce some estrogen and progesterone, and fat tissue produces estrogen in smaller amounts throughout a woman's life.

Estrogen and progesterone influence the activities of neurotransmitters and other hormones. Estrogen blocks the enzymes that break down serotonin, which allows more of the neurotransmitter to remain in the brain and act as an antidepressant. During certain times in a woman's life, however before menstruation, postpartum, and during menopause, estrogen levels decline, sending serotonin levels lower as well, and mood along with them. Progesterone is a major regulator of these hormones (estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol) and is the most versatile hormone in the human body.

Sexual Hormones Differences Do Affect Depression?

Approximately two to three times more women suffer from depression than men. Although genetics and socio-cultural factors likely play a role in this disparity, hormonal differences, especially the estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone, are a key factor as well. All of these hormones, which are found in both women and men, can affect one’s mood.

Stress Hormonal Imbalance And It's Implications With Depression

Adrenal hormone tests are conducted to get a good profile of the cortisol levels of patients who show the signs and symptoms of high or low cortisol levels. In healthy individuals, cortisol levels are at their lowest at night (around 10pm) and reach their peak around 7am.

One of the advantages of amino acid therapy is that it helps to restore stress hormone balance in addition to correcting neurotransmitter imbalances. Amino acids given to increase levels of serotonin and/or norepinephrine will ultimately reverse abnormalities in the HPA axis. Some other methods that can help to restore stress hormone levels include limiting your intake of sugar and refined foods, getting adequate sleep, and taking ginseng.

Don't forget the power of the mind. One cause of elevated stress hormones is your own thoughts. If you entertain negative thoughts and brood about them or even resort to all-or-nothing thinking characterized by anxiety and/or panic, you stimulate the release of stress hormones. Yet while the mind can get you into trouble, the mind can also get you out. Stress-reduction techniques, such as progressive relaxation, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy, can reduce cortisol levels and depression as well.

With either high or low levels of cortisol, supplementation with low doses of cortisol can help to relieve the stress on the adrenals and promote healing. The dosage range is usually 2.5 to 5 mg given two to four times daily with an increase of up to twice this dosage under severely stressful conditions.

The Pivotal Point About HPA Axis

With prolonged stress, the brain begins to tolerate higher and higher levels of cortisol. Over time, the adrenal glands become exhausted, and secretion of cortisol and DHEA is impaired. Animal experiments show that chronic severe stress in newborn and young rats can permanently change the HPA axis and result in increased sensitivity to stress in later life.

There is also evidence that the HPA axis is similarly affected in humans, as seen in children who have experienced childhood trauma or disruptions during early child care. In a study conducted at the University of Washington, Seattle, researchers found that children who are aged seven years old and eight years old of depressed mothers had elevated cortisol levels in nonstressful and mildly stressful situations when compared with children of nondepressed mothers. A review of the mothers' depression history showed that maternal depression during the child's first two years of life was the best predictor of high cortisol levels at age of seven.

Against Depression, Now We Are Talking About Cortisol!

Along with cortisol, the adrenals secrete DHEA, a critical hormone that affects your mood. The ratio of DHEA to cortisol has an impact on mood. During acute episodes of stress or illness, cortisol levels are elevated, and so the ratio of DHEA to cortisol ratio is low. Once the stress subsides, cortisol levels decline and the ratio of DHEA to cortisol increases and becomes more balanced.

Chronic stress, however, can cause cortisol levels to remain high. High levels of cortisol can have many negative health implications, including both mild and major depression, agitation, memory problems, thinning skin, diabetes, insomnia, and osteoporosis. It also impairs the function of the thyroid hormone, known as thyroxine. The healthier, desired state is a ratio of DHEA to cortisol that favors DHEA. This ratio can be increased by stress-reduction exercises, DHEA supplementation, and elimination of negative thoughts and emotions.

Abnormally low or high cortisol levels may be found in a person with depression. If you are under severe or prolonged stress or you have undergone long-term use of cortisone therapy, your adrenals may have weakened and become unable to produce enough cortisol. Symptoms of cortisol insufficiency include depression, low blood sugar, dizziness, chronic fatigue, nervousness, headache, and gastrointestinal problems. Our goal is to achieve a healthy level of cortisol and have it in balance with DHEA.

Cortisol is one of several hormones in a group called corticosteroids. Cortisol play a significant role in mood and are involved in how the body responds to chronic stress and acute stress. If you experience acute stress, the adrenal medulla produces epinephrine (also commonly known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine (also commonly known as noradrenaline), which travel to the heart, lungs, and other major muscles to prepare the body to respond to the perceived stress. The adrenal cortex secretes several different hormones, including DHEA and cortisol, which is also referred to as hydrocortisone.

Stress Hormones Affects Depression. Are We Talking About Cortisol here?

Stress and depression often go hand in hand. Unresolved or unmanaged chronic stress can result in biochemical changes that promote and support depression and other mood disorders. Some of the changes involve hormone fluctuations.

The human body has an intriguing and complex system known as the HPA axis. HPA axis composes of three elements that work together to regulate the body's response to both emotional and physical stress. The H refers to the hypothalamus, an area deep in the brain that controls hormone secretion. Any stress that lasts more than a few minutes prompts the hypothalamus to release a hormone called CRF (cortisol-releasing factor). CRF will then in turn stimulate the P, which is known as the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland then secretes ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which causes an increase in the production of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the A, which refers to the adrenals (more specifically the adrenal cortex or outer portion of the adrenal gland; the adrenal medulla or inner portion of the gland produces adrenaline), which produces steroid hormones.

Cortisol, in turn, inhibits the release of CRF and ACTH. This action by cortisol prevents excessive secretion of these three hormones and helps balance the whole process. The pituitary gland also releases a morphine-like hormone called beta-endorphin, which helps reduce pain during periods of stress.

Your Hormonal Level Affects Depression - What're The Complications(Part 2)

The human body produces dozens of different hormones constantly. In order to function optimally at physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels, a harmonized balance needs to exist among these hormones. The best way to achieve hormonal balance is to deal with nutrition, supplements, detoxification, exercise, and emotional and spiritual growth. Sometimes, however, it is helpful to supplement these methods with natural or bioidentical hormones. When using bioidentical hormones, it is often necessary to take more than one hormone to achieve a balance.

It is a fact that when women and men age, many hormone levels decline, and lowered levels of some hormones contribute to or cause depression. Low levels of melatonin, for example, are associated with a greater risk for seasonal affective disorder and moderate depression, while excessive or deficient levels of stress-related hormones (such as cortisol or adrenaline) can cause or aggravate existing depression.

Therefore it is important to understand how imbalances among these and other hormones can cause depression and mood disorders, and what steps can be taken to restore the hormonal balance in our body.

Your Hormonal Level Affects Depression - What're The Complications(Part 1)

Most women are aware about the fact that fluctuations in hormone levels, especially estrogens and progesterone, can have a dramatic effect on their mood. But these are not the only hormones that can have a significant impact on one’s emotional and mental state. Regardless you're a woman or a man, sex hormones, thyroid hormones, stress hormones, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and pregnenolone, can affect your mood. As part of a treatment for depression, you need to know how these hormones impact each other and learn to achieve hormonal balance.

Endocrine hormones, which are produced by specific endocrine glands, secrete these hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones may then act on tissues and organs some distance from the original glands. These hormones that contrast with the locally active yet short-lived prostaglandins may circulate in the bloodstream for extended periods of time.

There are intimate relationships among these hormones. Pregnenolone, which is synthesized from cholesterol, is the precursor of both DHEA and progesterone, and these are in turn precursors to other hormones, including estrogens and testosterone. All of these hormones also have a relationship with the stress and thyroid hormones. If the levels of any of these hormones become unbalanced due to stress, illness, environmental factors, or poor nutrition, the result can be a wide variety of symptoms, including depression and other mood disorders.

Why You Must Understand How Our Liver Works

The liver is a real workhorse: Every minute it processes about 2 quarts of blood, which in an adult is equal to about 25 percent of the body's total blood supply. This hardworking organ performs several critical functions, but here we will concern ourselves with how it' processes health-damaging substances So they can be safely and efficiently eliminated from the body. This function can be broken down into two main phases:

• Phase 1. During this phase, fat-soluble toxins (most are fat-soluble) that have been transported to the liver via blood and lymph are oxidized with the help of a group of enzymes called P-450, so they can be converted to water-soluble substances in phase 2. This process readies the toxins for more efficient removal from the body.

• Phase 2. The newly oxidized toxins are bound with any of several substances, including glutathione, glycine sulfate, and glucuronate, to make them water-soluble and easier to eliminate either through the kidneys or through the bile, which is eliminated with the stool. Toxins that are not fat• soluble or that are partially water-soluble in their original state when they reach the liver skip phase 1 and pass directly to phase 2.

Effective detoxification depends on both phases operating at their best, and various factors wield an influence on this process, including age, hormone levels, heredity, lifestyle, gastrointestinal health, and nutritional status. Although you can’t change your age, you can have an impact on the others. In particular, it's important to mention some of the nutrients the liver needs to conduct phase 1 and 2 detoxification. Without proper nutritional support, the liver is unable to help the body rid itself of dangerous toxins.

First on the list of critical substances is glutathione, an antioxidant that binds itself to toxins and helps transport them from the body. Glutathione is a natural chelator that is involved in a process known as chelation, along with more about glutathione. Other antioxidants that facilitate liver detoxification include vitamins C and E, selenium, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and beta-carotene. Cofactors that are also needed include riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, iron, and various phytonutrients, such as indoles (found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage; brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower) and quercetin (found in apples, red grapes, red wine, onions, and other foods).

The amino acids methionine, glycine, cysteine, glutamine, taurine, and aspartic acid are especially helpful, so it's important to consume a sufficient amount of protein each day. Another nutrient, calcium d-glucarate, is found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables and can also be taken as a supplement. Optimal detoxification also depends on proper hydration, so make sure to drink six to eight glasses of pure water daily.

The Detoxification System Within The Body

The human body has its own protective barrier system as well as its own cleaning or detoxification system, which is always a( work more or less efficiently). Let's see how it works and what you can do to facilitate the process.

The human body is constantly engaged in activities that prevent toxic substances from entering it and allow it to purge itself of waste materials. The main protective barriers are the skin and mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Despite these barriers, toxic substances get into the body. The body attempts to prevent these toxins from interfering with vital processes by sequestering them in structures related to the immune system, such as the lymph nodes and the spleen, or in connective tissue structures, like bone, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and fat. When these structures become saturated, symptoms of toxicity occur.

The main forms in which waste is eliminated are stool, urine, sweat, saliva, and carbon dioxide (from the lungs), and each is capable, to varying degrees, of transporting toxins from the body. For natural detoxification to occur, it's necessary for each of the systems responsible for delivering waste products to operate optimally.

Optimal urine and sweat production and elimination, for example, depend on adequate water intake; sufficient intake of fiber, water, and oils is necessary for efficient and daily elimination of stool. Although the American Gastroenterological Association states that the normal number of bowel movements differs from person to person, from as many as three per day to only three per week, I believe that at least one per day is preferable, with two or three being the goal.

One way to complement cleansing of the bowel is through colon hydrotherapy, which I will take about soon in my future blog posts. Release of toxins through sweat can be enhanced through exercise and use of saunas. Exercise and deep breathing techniques help the body to eliminate carbon dioxide and are also effective ways to treat depression.

Toxins in the body need to be processed before they can be removed. The organ primarily responsible for preparing waste Products for their final exit is the liver.

Little Did You Realize That Your World Was Toxic...

It can be pretty sad to say that we actually live in a world more polluted than that of our grandparents. Potentially poisonous chemicals infiltrate every corner of our lives, from the additives in our food to the toxins in common products in homes, offices, schools, and churches. No one is immune from this silent invasion. Even unborn children can fall victim to secondhand smoke, vehicle exhaust, pesticides, and allergens, as shown in numerous studies of pregnant women and their infants. These studies show, among other things, that these toxins can alter the chromosomes in utero and increase cancer risk, as well as other physical and neurological problems.

Environmental illnesses (ailments and symptoms that are associated with exposure to pollutants in the environment) are serious problems and important factors in depressed mood. Take, for example, indoor air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that indoor air pollution is one of the most common environmental health risks:

Indoor pollution levels can be two to five times, sometimes even more than one hundred times, greater than outdoor levels. The sources of this pollution are items as varied as fax and copier paper, makeup, household cleaning supplies, pesticides, medications, building materials, paint, furniture, clothing, and children's toys-all sources of potentially dangerous chemicals that can be emitted into your indoor environment.

Such mind altering toxins can leads to several implications. This include depression, moodiness, aggression, fatigue, and irritability. While chemicals are touted as providing us with a better standard of living, many of them are silently and insidiously breaking it down and frequently causing or contributing to depression - literally right under our noses.

I will be discussing about some other strategies. So, do catch my next few blog posts!

Why You Should Rid Your Mind Of Such Mood-Alterating Toxins

Americans are obsessed with cleanliness. Antibacterial soaps, detergents, and other cleaning products are all the rage. To fuel this desire, there are more than a hundred companies in the United States that manufacture such cleaning materials, and the result is a healthy $16-billion-per-year industry that markets everything from germ-killing hand soaps to antibacterial mattresses.

Yet for all our concerns about outer cleanliness, we are falling short on inner cleanliness. Our bodies are repositories for pollutants and other poisons that surround us-toxins that can have a deleterious effect on emotional and mental functioning. In upcoming blog posts, you'll learn how to eliminate your body of the poisons that are in the air, water, food, and everyday items in your home, workplace, and environment. These toxins are insidious and tend to accumulate slowly in tissues and organs. Removing them, and preventing them from taking up residence in the first place, can restore physical and emotional harmony and balance to your life.

I'll discuss various toxins, as well as some seemingly innocuous substances, that can have a negative impact on emotional and physical health and explain how you can safely avoid and eliminate them from your life using techniques such as chelation, sauna therapies, and colon hydrotherapy.

Drinking Against Depression. Water, Not Alcohol.

Water intake is critical, especially if you are going through a detoxification program. For optimal health, the choice is clear: filtered water and plenty of it, at least 1 to 3 quarts daily depending on your size. If this is more than you usually drink per day, build up your water intake gradually over a few weeks until you reach your goal. An easy way to make sure you get enough water is to carry a water bottle with au so you can sip from it all day long. Another way to enjoy filtered water is to make herbal tea, hot or cold, and sip that as well.

Filtered water has become big business, but it's also a necessity. You can buy bottled spring water, but this is an expensive option, it's inconvenient, and it contributes to the growing problem of disposable plastic bottles. Alternatively, you could install a filter on your home water system and have healthy water available all the time. You can avoid fluoride, chlorine, arsenic, and other contaminants depending on the type of filter you purchase.

There are two main types of filters. A carbon filter removes impurities but not fluoride. A reverse osmosis filter system removes most impurities, including fluoride, chlorine, and arsenic. See the appendix for a list of filter manufacturers.

Digestive Enzyme Deficiency Occurences? Don't Take It Lightly.

In my earlier blog posts, I introduced digestive enzymes and explained their role in the digestive process and how an enzyme deficiency can occur. Your goal is to prevent or eliminate a digestive enzyme deficiency, which you can do by eating more raw foods (like fresh organic fruits and vegetables, sprouted grains) and avoiding processed foods. Another option is to take digestive enzyme supplements. Oral supplements of digestive enzymes taken just before or with meals can aid digestion. Enzymes that reach the small intestine help with digestion there as well. Digestive enzymes can improve digestion of protein, which reduces the amount of undigested protein molecules that may leak out of the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.

Look for digestive enzyme supplement brands that contain enzymes that work on all three of the macro nutrients (fat, carbohydrates and protein), which means the label should list at least one each of protease, lipase, and amylase, plus enzymes to break down milk sugar (lactase) and fiber (cellulase). Comprehensive enzymes are now available that contain disaccharidases, which break down disaccharides (two sugars) and are especially' useful in patients who respond to the SCD. Some digestive enzyme supplements also contain papain (papaya fruit extract) and bromelain (from pineapple), which work on proteins.

Some people, especially older individuals and people with heartburn, need to take betaine chloride along with digestive enzymes. Betaine chloride adds more stomach acid to the digestive process. Do not take this supplement without first consulting your physician; it is not safe if you have had any condition associated with excess acidity.

Digestive aids, such as digestive enzymes, should also be considered as nutritional supplements.

Getting Your Essential Sugars

The best and most direct source of the essential sugars is breast milk, which contains all eight. Indirectly, fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes are also sources, as they provide starches that are acted on by enzymes to form glucose. Other enzymes then convert glucose to form N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid, fructose, mannose, and xylose. Mannose is found in broccoli, cabbage, and seeds, while fucose is a component of medicinal mushrooms (such as reishi, shiitake, and maitake), seaweed, and seeds. Xylose can be found in rye, barley, and yeast.

Dairy foods are the main sources of galactose, which is converted from milk sugar (lactose) and is also a source of glucose. Other good sources of essential sugars are kidney beans, figs, brown rice, and black-eyed peas. The need for essential sugars is a major reason for you to eat a wide variety of foods of different colors and textures. Limiting your diet to only a few types of food will drastically reduce your chances of getting these sugars.

Our requirements for the essential sugars are greater than amounts that the body produces and/or can be supplied by the diet, especially when a person is ill or under stress. One reason for this deficit is that stress and environmental pollutants both take a toll on the body's ability to convert glucose into the above-named essential sugars. Another is that people who are lactose-intolerant and therefore avoid dairy products, as well as individuals who choose to not eat dairy foods, risk being deficient in galactose. In addition, some people lack or are deficient in the enzymes that are needed to make the conversion from glucose to the other essential sugars. To convert galactose to fructose, for example, requires fifteen different enzymes. A deficiency or lack of just one of these can hinder the conversion process.

Essential sugar supplements are now part of my treatment plan for some patients out there. High protein diets with few or no carbohydrates may be dangerous because they lack essential sugars required for good health.

An Introduction For Essential Sugars, What Do You Need To Avoid Depression.

It's true: Some sugars are essential for good mood. The target of the bad rap associated with sugar is refined white sugar, the kind people routinely put in their coffee or that is found in tens of thousands of processed foods. However, there are other sugars-natural, essential sugars-that are necessary for optimal human health, and especially emotional and mental well-being. Most of them are not sweet, and you won't find them in your sugar bowl, bur they are sugars you want to include in your diet.

Our ancient ancestors evolved on a diet that was composed primarily of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes-plant based fare that was a rich source of natural sugar compounds known as monosaccharides or single sugars. Eight of the more than two hundred monosaccharides identified so far (glucose, galactose, mannose, fucose, xylose, N -acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine) are essential sugars, which are necessary for the formation of chains of sug¬ars that connect to proteins on the surface of cell membranes. These structures, called glycoproteins, are involved in cell communication, including cells in the brain and those of the immune system. These eight monosaccharides were abundant in our ancestors' diet, but only two of them(galactose and glucose)are plentiful in our diet today, thanks largely to our love affair with processed foods that contain refined sugar. Essential sugars are also lost during harvesting (especially when produce is picked before it is ripe), cooking, and preserving.

The body needs all eight essential sugars to form carbohydrate chains (in a variety of patterns) that combine with proteins to create substances called glycoproteins (glycol means "sugar") and with fats to form glycolipids, both of which help cells communicate with one another.

Glycoproteins, for example, make up the receptors that neurotransmitters attach themselves to on nerve cells, which means these proteins are essential in determining mood. Galactose is a component of galactolipids, which help make up nerve cells. Fructose is believed to be active in the synapses between nerve cells, while mannose appears to be important in nerve cell structure.

Getting Rid Of Depression With The Avoidance Diet

If the previous three diets do not improve your symptoms, you can try an elimination or avoidance diet. As you'll see from the explanation below, there is some overlap between this approach and that of the other three diets already discussed. Similar, also, to the other diets is the need to eliminate the named foods as completely as possible. For instance, when you eliminate eggs, you must not eat baked goods or other foods that contain eggs or egg products. Fortunately, there are substitutions you can make while you're on the diet so you won't feel deprived.

Here's how an elimination diet is structured:

• Eliminate all of the following foods from your diet for at least seven days, preferably ten: eggs and foods that contain eggs; foods that contain gluten (wheat, oats, barley, rye); corn and products that contain corn; citrus; all dairy products. Substitutes for gluten and corn foods include rice, millet, potatoes, and buckwheat. In place of dairy foods, try soy or rice-based beverages, cheese, yogurt, and desserts. Many mainstream supermarkets now carry these products either alongside the conventional items or in a natural food section.
• During the seven to ten days, keep a record of how you feel, including any noticeable change in depression, sleep problems, irritability, fatigue, or other symptoms you had been experiencing before starting the elimination program. If you feel no changes, then food sensitivities probably are not a factor in your depressed mood. If there are differences, however, it's time to identify the culprits.
• At the end of the seven to ten days, return one food group to your diet every three days. Keep a record of your responses.
• After you have returned foods from each of the eliminated food groups to your diet, you should have a good idea of what the culprits are.
• During the elimination diet, keep good notes and make those notes several times a day. Carry a small notepad with you to make it convenient.
• People who go on an elimination diet risk developing nutritional deficiencies, especially of micro nutrients such as thiamine, niacin, iron, selenium, chromium, folic acid, magnesium, and riboflavin; It is often necessary to take supplements of these and other nutrients to maintain optimal nutrition, especially when treating depression. If you go on an elimination diet, you may benefit from working closely with a knowledgeable nutritionist.

Casein Free? What Do You Need To Do Against Depression?

Casein is a protein found in milk and products that contain milk. This protein• breaks down in the stomach to produce incompletely digested substances called peptides, and then into amino acids. Some people, however, are not able to completely break down casein, and the result is that some of the pep tides enter the bloodstream and then the brain, where they interact with opioid receptors and affect mood and behavior. These pep tides are called casomorphins. High levels of casomorphins have been found in people who have schizophrenia, autism, and celiac disease, and are believed to be elevated in people who have depression, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia.

My experience, and that of many of my colleagues, is that a casein-free diet is highly effective in eliminating depression and related symptoms in some patients. To determine if casein is contributing to your depression, try a casein-free diet. Foods to avoid include milk and all milk products (butter, cheeses, yogurt, ice cream), as well as any item that contains any of the following ingredients: milk solids, whey, sodium caseinate, lactose, sodium lactylate, lactalbumin and other names that begin with tact, galactose, and protein (which often refers to milk protein). You also need to be wary of the following items, which may contain dairy: margarine, soy cheese, breads, breaded foods, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (the processing phase may contain casein), canned tuna, supplements and medicines, and chicken broth.

One more caveat: "dairy-free" does not necessarily mean there's no dairy in the item.

In the United States, manufacturers are not required to list ingredients that make up less than 0.5 percent (by mass) of a product. This may not sound like much, but it may be higher than you can tolerate, depending on how much of a food you eat or the severity of your intolerance.
The casein-free diet is often combined with the gluten-free diet, as many patients who are sensitive to casein are also sensitive to gluten.

How Does The Specific Carbohydrate Diet Play A Role In Depression?

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) is based on the fact that some people lack the pancreatic and intestinal enzymes that allow the body to completely break down (digest) starches (chains of sugar molecules) into single sugars (monosaccharides), which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream. These partially digested starches are not easily absorbed into the bloodstream and instead travel down the gut and serve as food for disease-causing bacteria and other microorganisms. These organisms, which reproduce and overgrow in the gut, release toxins and promote inflammation, causing or aggravating conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, toxins given off by these organisms or those produced by inflammation may result in autoimmune conditions (in which antibodies attack your own tissues) and can lead to depression, mood changes, fatigue, and many other psychiatric symptoms.

The SCD addresses the lack of specific enzymes by eliminating starches and any sugars other than monosaccharides. Therefore fructose, a single sugar found in fruit, is allowed, but a disaccharide (two sugars bound together) such as table sugar (sucrose, consisting of glucose and fructose) or milk sugar (lactose, consisting of glucose and galactose) is not.

The foods allowed in the SCD are chosen based on their molecular structure and are those included in the diet humans evolved to eat millions of years ago: meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, nuts, and low-sugar fruits. On the banned list are grains and foods made from them (such as bread, pasta, cereals), starches (potatoes, corn), and legumes (with some exceptions). The allowed carbohydrates in the diet are monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose), which, because they have a single molecule structure, are sugars that don't require digestive enzymes to be absorbed by the intestinal wall. These sugars are found in fruits, some vegetables, honey, and yogurt (which must be homemade, not commercial).

Complex carbohydrates-including disaccharides like lactose, sucrose, maltose, and isomaltose, as well as poly¬saccharides-in foods such as bread, pasta, cereals, corn, and potatoes are mostly not allowed: They are not easily digested (because of deficient enzymes) and become food for the dam¬aging bacteria in the intestinal tract. Corn syrup, which is found in thousands of processed foods, is also not allowed. Some legumes-specifically dried beans, split peas, and lentils¬are allowed in small amounts, but only if they have been soaked for ten to twelve hours before they are cooked and the soaking water is discarded (it contains indigestible sugars).

The yogurt required by the SCD is specially made in that it is allowed to ferment for twenty-four hours to permit the bacteria in the culture to break down the lactose (disaccharides) into galactose and glucose (monosaccharides). (The process is described in the SCD book.) Some people also take a probiotic supplement (which contains friendly bacteria) as part of the diet.

Overall, the SCD deprives the harmful bactria of their food supply, which in turn helps restore bacterial balance to the gut and creates a less toxic environment for the brain and nervous system.

How Can A Gluten-Free Diet Help Curb Depression

A piece of wheat toast can contribute to depression. So can a bowl of oatmeal. More precisely, these grains contain gliadin, a component of gluten and the real culprit in gluten intolerance. Other grains such as corn and rice also contain gluten, but because they don't contain gliadin, people with gluten intolerance typically can eat them without a problem.

Some gluten-sensitive patients who are unable to completely break down the gluten protein in their guts form smaller compounds called gliadomorphins when they eat gluten. These peptide molecules are able to enter the blood circulation and eventually the brain, where they can cause a high and then withdrawal depression just like the drug morphine. A similar event occurs in some individuals who are sensitive to the milk protein casein, which may enter the brain and also have such an effect.

Treatment of gluten intolerance is both simple and daunting: eliminating products that contain gluten and replacing them with gluten-free foods. Fortunately, gluten-free foods are becoming easier to find as food manufacturers realize that more and more people want and need them. At the same time, shopping for gluten-free foods may seem overwhelming, because you need to scrutinize food labels not only to identify blatant sources of gluten, but also to note any additives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and preservatives that may be made with gluten. Thus, it's not enough to buy potato bread, for example; it must also be free of other "hidden" ingredients that contain gluten.

Examples of ingredients that typically contain gluten include malt, grain starches, textured vegetable proteins, grain vinegars, brown rice syrup, dextrin, modified food starch, natural and artificial flavors, hydrolyzed vegetable and/or plant proteins, and soy. These ingredients are found in many common foods. When you read labels, look for the words gluten free. Don't be fooled by the words wheat-free, because this does not necessarily mean gluten-free. Spelt and kamut are wheatfree but contain gluten. Also look for gluten in medications and supplements, many of which have additives that contain the protein.

How To Spot Food Reactions And Allergies To Eliminate

For some people, a healthy diet that helps them prevent and eliminate depression and the symptoms associated with it may look different from what we've discussed so far. As mentioned in the earlier blog posts, some individuals react to certain types of foods, and these reactions include depression, mood swings, irritability, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems, among others.

The presence of food reactions is something we often check, depending on the individual's history and other information we gather during the intake evaluation. Although some physicians order skin tests for food allergies, there is little evidence that routine skin tests performed by conventional allergists are of any value. On the other hand, I have found certain specialized sublingual and skin food allergy tests and treatments, to be quite helpful for some patients. I have also found that some food allergy desensitization procedures like NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques), a holistic approach to elimination of allergies) that utilize principles of acupuncture to reprogram the body to not react to allergenic foods also to be beneficial for some patients. Although the acupuncturist in my practice does utilize this latter technique to help some of our patients with food allergies, I won't be discussing this technique in detail. I will, however, discuss what you can do yourself at home to deal with suspected food allergies that might be contributing to your depression. This approach involves trying certain food elimination diets that have been successful in my practice for helping some patients with depression. I highly recommend you consider them if you suspect you have food reactions.

What should you look for if you think you might be sensitive to certain foods? Here are some tell tale signs and symptoms:

• Allergy symptoms, including significant weight fluctuations from water retention, changing visual acuity, dark circles under your eyes (not related to lack of sleep), mental fogginess, fatigue, irritability, various aches and pains, and hypersensitivity to noise, cold, heat, or light.
• Presence or history of atopic allergy, such as hay fever, eczema, or allergic asthma. In fact, one study found that allergic reactions to pollen also can cause significant mood changes in some people.
• Craving for or addiction to specific foods or other substances (caffeine, tobacco, alcohol).

Although gastrointestinal problems are very common among people who have food reactions, so are depression, fatigue, and panic attacks. In fact, some people who have food reactions experience little or no gastrointestinal discomfort, yet they do suffer with depressive symptoms.
It's been shown that elimination of specific food types and strict adherence to a special diet in individuals who react to certain foods can virtually erase their depression and other symptoms, as well as restore the balance of bacteria and fungi in the digestive tract and improve absorption of nutrients.

For some people, it is critical to follow these diets to the letter-even a minute amount of gluten, casein, or certain carbohydrates can be troublesome for very sensitive individuals. Others will benefit by simply reducing certain foods. I have many patients who have been overjoyed with the benefits of adopting one of these diets. You may notice an improvement in symptoms within days, or it may take weeks. If there is no improvement after about a month, you may need to try another of the diets.

A Healthful Diet Against Depression

Here are some tips on how to enjoy an essential yet diversified eating plan which allows you to include your personal favorite food items:

• Eat three or more times a day. This keeps your blood glucose levels stable and thus helps avoid fatigue and mood swings. Some people find that eating five or six small meals daily (some of which may include little more than an apple or a few whole wheat crackers with natural peanut butter) work best for them. Others function best with three substantial meals and perhaps a small snack. Experiment the different approaches to find which makes you feels best.
• Eat your fruits and vegetables raw or lightly steamed. If too bland for your taste buds, season the vegetables with herbs, spices, lemon, extra-virgin olive oil, or expeller-expressed olive, sesame, or flaxseed oils. Strive to include a raw vegetable salad daily made with organic ingredients.
• Prepare meats, poultry, and fish by roasting, broiling, steaming, poaching, or baking. Do not prepare by frying. Grilling is fine, but do not cook until charcoal forms on the food.
• Eat an optimal amount of high-quality protein, which should equal at least 15% to 20 % of your total caloric intake. For example, if your daily calorie intake is 2,500 calories, 375 to 500 calories (equivalent to 15% to 20%) should come from protein. Protein sources include beans, legumes, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. If possible, include at least a small amount of protein at each meal such as, one or more eggs at breakfast, some chicken strips in a salad at lunch, and a piece of baked tofu or beef at dinner.
• If you are able to break down starches (although some people are unable to do this easily), include organic, complex-carbohydrate foods in your eating plan. The percentage of complex carbohydrates in your diet may be as low as 25 percent and as high as 70 percent. Rarely, a diet with even less than 25 percent carbohydrates may be used for specific therapeutic purposes. This amount will depend on your individual needs. Assess how you feel when you include more whole grains in your diet. Foods in this category include whole grains and foods made from them (breads, pastas, and cereals), beans and legumes (good protein sources), vegetables, and fruits. These foods are also good sources of fiber. Strive for 25 to 30 g of fiber daily; this is especially important for detoxification, because toxins are largely eliminated through stool. Complex carbohydrates are also critical because they supply essential sugars that bind to proteins to form glycol-proteins, which in turn allow cells to better communicate with one another, especially brain cells. If this communication .is compromised, so is mental and emotional health.
• Fat intake also needs to be individualized. For many years, fat was considered bad, and people were constantly encouraged to lower their fat intake as much as possible. Recently, carbohydrates (especially refined carbohydrates) have become the villain, and some experts consider fat to be not so bad, especially if healthy fats are chosen. Again, I believe that the percentage of fat calories needs to be considered individually; the optimal amount may vary drastically from one individual to another. For some, fat intake could be as low as 15 to 20 percent of total daily caloric intake, while for others it may be as high as 60 or 70 percent. The fats should come from natural sources (not synthetic, such as hydrogenated oils and margarines), including butter, extra-virgin olive oil, and cold-pressed sesame and flaxseed oils. You should avoid processed foods, but if you do include some in your diet, read the ingredient labels for fat content and especially avoid hydrogenated fats or oils and trans-fatty acids, which are the most health damaging fats.
• Several times a week, include some fermented foods in your diet, such as organic, fermented sauerkraut or miso. Fermentation neutralizes unhealthy substances found in beans and grains, especially phytic acid, which blocks the absorption of calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc; and it adds beneficial microorganisms to food, which neutralize enzyme inhibitors and break down gluten, sugars, and other substances in grains and beans that are difficult to digest. Fermented foods also increase the population of healthful bacteria (lactobacilli) in the intestinal tract, which aids digestion, relieves constipation, and is associated with a reduced incidence of infections and allergies. Examples of fermented foods include yogurts that contain active cultures, kefir, and cultured butter; miso and tempeh are fermented soy foods; sauerkraut and pickles are common fermented vegetable foods, although many other vegetables can be fermented as well. Sources of fermented foods are in the appendix.
• Use filtered water or springwater when you cook and for drinking.
• Cook using glass, stainless steel, or good-quality enamel, not aluminum or nonstick-coated cookware.

Rhodiola - The Next Queuing Miracle Herb For Depression?

Rhodiola is an herb that has long been used in Russia and Scandinavia to relieve depression, boost energy, eliminate fatigue, and prevent altitude sickness. Like Siberian ginseng, rhodiola is classified as an adaptogen because of its ability to increase resistance to various stressors.

Although I have no personal experience with rhodiola, recent research, much of which has been done in Russia and Europe, suggests that its adaptogenic activities may be due to its ability to influence endorphins and certain neurotransmitters and hormones, including serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. Scientists report that unlike Siberian ginseng, which you need to take for several weeks before noting any benefit, rhodiola usually offers noticeable results after just one dose.

In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study conducted in Russia, for example, 161 volunteers were given either one of two different doses of rhodiola or a placebo and then evaluated for the effect these substances had on their ability to perform mental work while fatigued and under stress. Individuals who were given rhodiola did significantly better than those who took a placebo.

Doctor's Warning: The suggested daily dose to treat chronic stress is 200 mg of extract standardized to 2 percent rosavins. Some studies have used as much as 200 mg taken two to three times daily.

Siberian Ginseng? Depression Ginseng? Or Not?

A fascinating fact about the Siberian Ginseng (Eleutheroccus senticosus) is that it is actually not genuine ginseng. Although the Siberian Ginseng belongs in the same family as the American and Chinese Ginseng, it has some different characteristics.

Besides having some different properties, it has an additional ability. The Siberian Ginseng is an adaptogen, which is an agent that strengthens the body and helps to adjust it back to normal conditions after a stressful episode.

Siberian Ginseng contains some substances that have positive effects on the adrenal glands and fight the symptoms of stress. Some of these include:

1. Mood swings
2. Insomnia
3. Fatigue

Siberian Ginseng is a great healing agent if your depression is related to stress or chronic illnesses which bear the three symptoms that I have just explained above.

Siberian Ginseng is an herb that has a tricky dosage. When some people consume too much, it can cause restlessness, nervousness and insomnia. If you do want to consume Siberian Ginseng, it is 200mg for adults. Bear in mind that the extract must be standardized for 1% eleutherosides.

Doctor’s Warning: Siberian Ginseng is a herb that should be used under strict medical practitioner’s supervision if you are suffering from high blood pressure. Take note of some symptoms like these:

• Tightness in your chest/throat
• Rash
• Breathing problems
• Itchy skin
• Chest pain.

Siberian Ginseng can have several medical implications as it can interact with other prescription drugs. Some of these examples include:

• Barbiturates
• Anti-psychotic drugs
• Diabetic medicine (including insulin/glipizide)
• Heart medications
• Stimulants

Supplementation with Siberian Ginseng can be a sticky issue, talk to your medical practitioner for more advice.

Ginkgo Biloba, The Herb's Good? But....

Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most popular used natural remedies to improve memory in the Europe and United States. Besides, it also acts as a mood booster. There is also medical evidence that Ginkgo stimulates blood circulation within the body. This includes the brain and it helps reverse the short-term memory loss. The other benefits of this herb include the relieving depression and lethargy. The Ginkgo Biloba also helps to protect the nerve cells in the brain from free radical damage. Usually, medical experts believe that the compounds that are responsible for such positive effects of the Ginkgo Biloba herb are the flavoglycosides and terpene lactones.

For the treatment of depression, Ginkgo Biloba reveals much hope for the elderly who are fifty and older. There was one study which showed that the elderly were more responsive to Ginkgo Biloba as compared to antidepressant therapy. This is most probably due to the Ginkgo Biloba increasing the number of serotonin binding sites within the brain. You might not know, but the number of serotonin binding sites decrease as we age.

Ginkgo Biloba products are widely available. The standardized dosage should be 24% flavoglycosides and 6% terpene. For adults, the daily dosage of this extract is 40mg three times a day although there are exceptional circumstances which higher doses have been prescribed.

Doctor’s Warning: If you are intending to consume Ginkgo Biloba, it may cause too much bleeding if you are already consuming blood thinning agents such as aspirin or warfarin. If you are taking such drugs already or have a history of hemorrhaging, do not consume this herb.

St-John's-Wort? Friend Or Foe?

St-John’s-Wort is a plant that contains hypericin and hyperforin. This can be especially helpful in the treatment of mild and moderate depression. This applies especially to those

• With serotonin deficiencies
• Are experiencing anxiety attacks
• Suffering from sleep disturbances

St-John’s-Wort works in a way by inhibiting an enzyme (also known as the catechol-O-methyltransferase), which degrades some neurotransmitters. An example of this neurotransmitter is dopamine. The St-John’s-Wort also mimics the action of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

This special plant helps relieve depression by slowing down the recycling of neurotransmitters that the brain requires in order to maintain a proper emotional balance.

If you have decided to use St-John’s-Wort to help suppress depression, do remember a few caveats. Do not use this herb together with some antidepressants/drugs. Some examples for antidepressants include:

• Zoloft
• Celexa
• Prozac

While some examples of drugs include:

• Nardil
• Parnate

Besides, the use of St-John’s-Wort must be careful because it reduces the effectiveness of several drugs (when both the drug and St-John’s-Wort is consumed altogether). Some examples include:

• Warfarin
• Amitriptyline
• Cyclosporine
• Theophylline
• Digoxin
• Oral contraceptives

Doctor’s Warning: If you have bipolar disorder,consult your health-care practitioner before taking St-John’s-Wort. There is a possible change for negative interactions as St-John’s-Wort can aggravate manic episodes. Be careful.