Natural Remedies for Depression

What is Depression?

It is estimated that 10 percent of American experience depression severe enough to seek medical attention. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the most costly of all diseases because people who experience depression are often disabled and not able to be as productive as they would be if they didn’t struggle with depression.

The website www.ifoundthecure.com reports that although it is a common to experience sad mood, or have episodes of depression after a loved one passes, or after a tragic event, sadness that is prolonged and is disruptive to your life, your job, and daily activities may be a sign that you should seek medical attention.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Some of the symptoms of depression are; fatigue, prolonged sadness, inability to enjoy things, mood swings, unexplained weeping, and crying, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, loss of appetite, thoughts of suicide, decreased sex drive, and increased anxiety.

What are the Root Causes of Depression?

Many cases of depression are cause by a neurotransmitter imbalance. This can be caused by poor diet, taking drugs, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol for example. Because these things mess with your brain chemicals, and often times your body becomes adjusted and dependent on these substances, your brain doesn’t produce and distribute the correct balance of serotonin, and dopamine. Hormonal imbalances, lack of sunlight, and unresolved emotional issues are also contributing factors to depression.

Natural Remedies.

Seeking the attention of a doctor or Mental Health professional is always advised. If you have unresolved emotional issues, a Mental Health professional may help you clear up, and go through these issues.

Eating a proper diet rich with vegetables, fruits, legumes, and cutting out foods high in sugar and saturated fats may help. Practice meditation, and deep breathing techniques to reduce stress. Qi-Gong is a great exercise to get your energy moving properly. In Eastern medicine it is often believed that depression is an energetic imbalance. Qi-Gong will help rebalance your energy, and also provide many other health benefits. Getting some form of daily exercise will produce endorphins which will aid in depression. As I am sure you have heard of the “runner’s high.” This is a good example of the mental health benefits of exercise. Below I have listed some Nutritional Supplements that I have used, and have seen work wonders on others.

	5-HTP (5-hydroxtrytophan) - Take one 50 mg Tablet a half hour before bed once a day. 5-htp helps to regulate sleep cycles, and will help you fall asleep as an added benefit. 5-htp is an amino acid that is necessary for serotonin production. Serotonin gives you the feeling that everything is right in the world, or centered calmness. You can increase your dosage to 100 mg a night, and even take 50 mg three times a day.
	L-Tyrosine- Take 500 mg first thing in the morning. L-tyrosine can be converted by neurons in the brain to dopamine and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), hormones which are depleted by stress, overwork and certain drugs. Dopamine basically gives you motivation, that get up and go feeling.
	Essential Fatty Acids – Fish Oil- Take as directed on the label. Make sure that the fish oil you chose is molecularly distilled, and pharmaceutical grade, so you aren’t getting high amounts of heavy metals and mercury.
	Vitamin B Complex- Take as directed on the label. I like to use “B 100” by “Now Foods.”
	Vitamin D- Take at least 1,000 iu a day. You can increase the dose to 2,000 if you live in a climate where you do not get a lot of sunlight. This is more than the fda recommends but in the natural medicine school of thought this is what is recommended.

*Please check with your doctor before taking any supplements, and also read the warning labels on each product, especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Also read the labels carefully when giving your child any natural supplement, to ensure that it is safe to give a child. For more information Please visit www.ifoundthecure.com