Depression

At one time, it was thought that depression was entirely psychological or sociological in origin. The preferred treatments varied from psychotherapy, through psychoanalysis, to electro-convulsive therapy. Then it was realised that many cases have hormonal causes, and the treatment of choice became the various drugs, such as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

Anybody may suffer depression, if subjected to various events in their lives, such as severe trauma or bereavement, but it is now recognised in some quarters that many, if not most cases of clinical depression have physiological or biochemical causes.

Biochemical Causes

Hormonal

The hormones that control mood are serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. They are also known as monoamines. D and L-phenylalanine and tyrosine are precursors to dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Hypoglycaemia

Glucose and the amino acid L-glutamine are the brain’s main fuels. It is obvious that if deprived of its main fuels, the brain won’t function properly, causing various symptoms, including depression. Hypoglycaemia (low glucose levels in the blood) is caused mainly by excessive consumption of sugars and refined foods. This may seem strange, but excessive sugar intake causes massive production of insulin, which drives the sugar out of the bloodstream, and when the blood sugar level gets back to normal, the insulin level is still high, thus driving blood sugar down to below normal levels.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Virtually any nutrient deficiency can cause depression, but particularly deficiencies of B vitamins and vitamin C. This is because each of the B vitamins is involved in the production of one or more of the hormones, and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin C are involved in the activity of the adrenal glands.

Allergies and Chemical Intolerances

Anything that upsets brain chemistry can cause depression. Therefore foods that cause allergic reactions, toxic chemicals and the toxins from candidiasis, are possible causative factors.

Treatment

Nutritional

¨      B vitamins: A minimum of 75mg strength of the B complex per day. Folic acid: 400mcg per day. Would be included in a good B complex.

¨      Vitamin B12: 500mcg per day.

¨      Vitamin C: 1000mg three times per day.

¨      Magnesium: 500mg per day.

¨      L-glutamine: (sometimes useful) 1000mg three times per day, between meals.

Herbal

¨      Rhodiola Rosea: This powerful adaptogenic and tonic herb, also known as Russian Root, has very useful anti-depressant effects.

¨      Kava Kava: Coming from the Pacific Ocean, this herb has been shown to improve mood over the course of a week or two, its effect improving with time. Dose 500mg three times per day.

Dietary

¨      Avoid sugars and refined foods; this will stop the leaching out of B vitamins.

¨      Avoid caffeine i.e. coffee, cola, tea, cocoa; this stops the drain on the adrenal glands.

Take GTF chromium 200mcg per day, to control blood sugar levels and avoid hypoglycaemia.

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