Alternative Medicine: Trying Something Natural

Many of those who live with depression as part of their daily lives want to use something other than antidepressants to help them. Seeing the possibility of a lifetime of taking medication many sufferers of depression are turning to alternate methods. They are trying natural supplements to help lift the cloud of depression that they live with. One popular choice is St. John's Wort. Many studies have been conducted using this natural supplement. The results have been inconclusive, though there is agreement that this seems to have some positive results. Many of those who choose to use it swear by it often claiming that they get the same if not better results than using Prozac. They say that when they take St. John's Wort regularly they need nothing else.

The reason for its positive results is because it works on all three of the neurotransmitters that affect depression, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, by slowing down the body's rate of absorption. This allows the body more time to use them to send messages to the brain. The only negative aspect of this supplement is that is may interact with other medications a person takes and so a person should confer with their health care provider before trying it.

There are also others that have some good results. For example, omega-3 fatty acids, which are found mainly in fish oils, are having some success of their own. This is also found in walnuts, canola oil or hemp but it seems to be only the omega-3 fatty acids that are found in the fish oils that act as an antidepressant. These fatty acids have in them DHE fatty acids that are used by the brain as nourishment. Depressives are known to be low in these acids and so by taking the omega-3 fatty acids they are able to replenish what the brain requires.

Several of the B vitamins are recommended for those who must deal with depression. Research has found that too many adult depressives are low in their levels of folic acid. Tests have shown that those whose levels are particularly low are in for a long depressive episode and may find that their bodies do not respond well to regular antidepressant medications because of this missed vitamin. It has been proven that when the folic acid levels are upped the person's mood improves. Thiamine, also know as Vitamin B1 has also been shown to affect mood. As a matter of fact, it even improves the mood of those who are not depressives. Menopause, a problem of women over fifty, that definitely affects mood, can be affected by Vitamin B12 levels. Once a woman reaches the age of fifty her levels of this vitamin have greatly diminished to the point where she often has only half what she should in her system. Vitamin B6 is also important and is known to help premenstrual depression, called PMS. Using any or all of the Vitamin Bs can greatly improve mood. It seems worth trying them all.

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