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Natural treatments for depression
Winter is a common time to experience symptoms of depression. When the holidays are over and the weather is cold and dark, it is more common to feel sad, anxious, or hopeless. Whether one is experiencing a seasonal decline in mood or suffering from major depression, natural treatments have very high success rates, and are of course much safer than prescription drugs.
My prescription for natural treatment of depression:
- Morning light therapy. Light deprivation, common in the winter, can disrupt circadian rhythms and neurotransmitter production. Bright light therapy, not only in the winter, can be an effective substitute for natural sunlight - applied first thing in the morning it corrects the body's clock and stimulates mood-elevating neurotransmitters. Bright light therapy is effective for not only seasonal affective disorder (SAD) but it also has been found to be just as effective as antidepressants for treating depression. SeeTherapudic light system by clicking and scrolling through Dr. Fuhrman's site.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D is thought to regulate mood by affecting daily biorhythms and serotonin production. Reduced exposure to sunlight during the winter also means less natural vitamin D production by the skin. Low circulating vitamin D is associated with SAD and major depression. Studies of subjects with depression have found that vitamin D supplementation produces an improvement in symptoms and feelings of well-being.
- High dose omega-3 fatty acids. DHA and EPA play important roles in the brain, and low omega-3 intake is associated with depression. DHA is an important structural component of brain tissue, and a recent meta-analysis revealed that EPA is the more important omega-3 fatty acid for improving depression symptoms. Dr. Fuhrman recommends DHA plus 1,000 mg EPA per day for depression. Fish oil has traditionally been used for this purpose, but a vegan alternative is also available; a vegan EPA supplement can be taken along with DHA Purity for depression.
- Nutrition is extremely important for regulating mood. High antioxidant intake from colorful fruits and vegetables helps prevent oxidative stress, to which the brain is highly susceptible. Markers of oxidative stress are associated with a higher incidence of depression. Low intake of folate, present in green vegetables, also correlates with depression.
Regular exercise. Exercise is known to be as effective as antidepressant drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy for improving the symptoms of depression. Exercise increases production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being, which is often low in individuals suffering from depression. In fact, antidepressant drugs most often work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Aerobic exercise plus strength training works better than aerobic exercise alone, and yoga is also effective.
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The combination of all of these approaches increases the likelihood of success, providing people suffering from depression with a safe, natural, and effective alternative to antidepressant drugs. ALL OF THESE MODALITIES WILL BE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL AT THE DEAD SEA HOLISTIC SPA IN AUGUST 2012. More information here!
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