Depression is one of the most common physiological conditions encountered by psychologists in medical practice. Although there are many factors that can lead to depression both external and internal, medical practitioners believe that an operational inadequacy in serotonin causes depression. Depression can be treated with nutritional methods including dietary modifications and vitamin supplements along with specific amino acids by psychologists and medical practitioners.
However, in addition to the various medications needed to treat the condition, natural remedies also help in controlling depression. It is advisable not to stop any form of primary medication without consulting the doctor; additionally the doctor must also be informed about the various natural remedies that the patient would like to follow. Some of the natural and herbal remedies used for depression are:
1) St John’s Wort: St John’s Wort has been a popular folk remedy for overcoming various mental conditions such as unhappiness, fear, jitteriness, and lack of sleep. The herbal preparations of St John’s Wort are available in most health stores in the form of capsules, lozenges, liquid extracts, or herbal tea. A note of caution: even though the herb is reasonably safe when taken by itself, it can cause interference with anti-depressants and other prescription medications. Moreover, it is not recommended for women who are pregnant, children, and patients who experience liver or kidney conditions.
2) Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats which are needed for the normal functionalities of the brain. Since the body is unable to produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own, it is dependent on external sources through diet. Studies have associated low omega-3 fatty acids with depression, and countries that have a very high consumption of fish show a depression rate that is up to 10 times lower than that seen in North America. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, cod, sardines and anchovies. These fatty acids are also available in fish oil capsules which are considered to be a safer source than consuming fish, as the chances of whole fish containing mercury and other toxins are high.
3) Folic acid: Folic acid also referred to as folate and is believed to be an essential B vitamin found abundantly in green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, beans, or whole grain meals. A poor diet can result in a deficiency of folic acid and lead to chronic conditions such as depression. Moreover, a deficiency of folic acid does not respond well to antidepressants and hence regularizing the levels of folate in a depressed individual is far more effective than prescription medication for depression.
4) Magnesium is also related to depression and it has been noted that people who do not obtain enough magnesium from their diets lack in serotonin production leading to depression. Most forms of mental and physical stress lead to a depletion of magnesium in the body and hence natural sources of magnesium such as leguminous foods, nuts, whole grains and green leafy vegetables must be consumed adequately.
