It has been estimated that as many as 20% of people suffer from this prevalent but little-understood illness. Along with innovative non-prescription medications has come additional research uncovering a new role for vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements in dealing with depresseion
What it is?
Depression is much more than just feeling blue, it is a devastating illness that affects every aspect of a person’s life – physical, mental, and emotional. It influences a sufferer’s self-esteem and perception of others, and a person with depression has difficulty performing ordinary daily activities. There are various forms of depression, ranging from mild, long-term melancholy to alternating moods of elation and sadness (bipolar or manic depression) to the most serious form, despair. The last leads to a total inability to function and may even give rise to thoughts of suicide.
What causes It
Depression doesn’t seem to have a single under lying cause, although experts believe it is caused by an imbalance in the brain’s production of neurotransmitters -chemical messengers that send signals from one nerve cell to another. A depressive episode can be triggered by the death of a loved one, the loss of a Job, a divorce, a life-threatening illness, or any other serious difficulty. Stress, reaction to the medication (such as beta-blockers), shortage of daylight in winter, over-consumption of alcohol, smoking, food allergies, and nutritional deficiencies may also contribute to depression. Dysfunctional ways of coping with anger, guilt, and other emotions may be involved as well.
How supplements can help ?
Everyone afflicted, even those on antidepressants can benefit from all the vitamins and minerals listed.
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B complex
- L-Tryptophan
- Chamomile
- Ginkgo Biloba
The herbs and the amino acid L-tyrosine ca n be added, but should not be combined with antidepressant drugs without your doctor’s consent.
People taking prescription drugs for depression should never stop taking them without consulting their doctor.
Low levels of B vitamins and vitamin C have been associated with depression. All aid in the brain’s production of neurotransmitters and may enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant medications. Calcium and magnesium have a soothing effect on the nerves and can be particÂularly helpful when depression interferes with sleep.