Feeling Depressed?

I took this from an article I read. I’m not including the whole article which talked also about things like Meditation all the way through to Acupuncture. I thought I would just touch on the Food and Herbal support. For those of you who don’t know my background, I used to manage a Women’s Health Facility and I agree with most of what is here;
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Food fixes

Dietary changes can alter the brain both chemically and structurally. If you're feeling blue, take a step toward recovery by ensuring that your diet includes the following:

· Fish oil contains high levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid); a deficiency in DHA has been linked to depression. When DHA is plentiful, your mood isn't the only thing that gets a boost—memory and learning are enhanced as well. Not a fish fan? Essential fatty acids are also found in a variety of seeds, nuts, oils and leafy vegetables.

· Antioxidant-rich foods can also serve to bolster mental health. Try to include apricots, broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, blueberries, kiwi and oranges, among others, in your diet.

· Daily multivitamins are the final step in keeping your brain and body properly regulated. When selecting supplements, look for B vitamins, magnesium, folic acid, selenium, and the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan. These brain boosters are important for curbing depression and anxiety due to their effects on the mood-regulating neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It is important to note that dietary supplements are exactly that—supplements. They do little good when used in lieu of healthy eating and exercise habits.

Herbal antidepressants

St. John's wort supplements are perhaps the most well-known herbal remedy for depression. It works by preventing the re-uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, two brain chemicals that affect mood. A review of research on St. John's wort, published in the Annals of General Psychiatry in 2008, found it to be as helpful as mainstream antidepressants (though should be avoided by those on blood-thinning medications.)

Produced in the seeds of the African legume shrub Griffonia simplicifolia, 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is sold as a supplement which may help alleviate depression symptoms. This supplement purportedly works by increasing the brain's serotonin production, thereby stabilizing mood as well as eating and sleeping patterns. Like most unconventional remedies, the evidence for 5-HTP's safety and effectiveness is mixed. It's best absorbed when taken in combination with vitamin B-6.

Extract of Rhodiola rosea root, or SHR-5, is another alternative to mainstream treatment. It is marketed primarily as an energy and mental performance booster, but may also improve mood by reducing stress levels. SHR-5 is a good alternative to St. John's wort for those taking blood thinners.Taking more than one antidepressant at a time is dangerous; don't start an herbal regimen if you're already medicated.
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Karen :)

"Art saved me; it got me through my depression and self-loathing, back to a place of innocence."~Jeanette Winterson