Posted on February 13, 2010.
Herbal Remedies for Depression Major depression is a serious disease affecting 9.9 million U.S. adults, or about 5 percent of the adult population in a given year. Many people suffer from depression are not aware that there are natural remedies against the depression that are a safe and effective alternative to psychiatric drugs. Lifestyle changes such as diet, stress reduction and exercise can also have a positive effect on symptoms of depression.
Common symptoms of depression are:
Feeling sad, blue, unable to experience pleasure.
Change in appetite. Eating too much or not enough.
Sleep disturbance, sleeping too much or too little.
Feeling hopeless, worthless, guilty, low self-esteem.
Loss of energy, no motivation, no interest or pleasure in activities.
Persistent physical symptoms such as aches, pains, headaches, stomach aches and pain is not physical cause may also be a form of depression.
Thoughts of death and suicide.
Causes of Depression
Depression can be triggered by traumatic life events, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, blood sugar imbalances, allergies, illnesses, lack of exercise, drugs and alcohol, and digestive difficulties. These triggers are known to cause or contribute to neurotransmitter imbalances and depletion.
Find the cause of depression means addressing the biochemistry of the brain. This may require tests such as tests of neurotransmitters, blood chemistry panels, thyroid and hormone testing.
Solutions proven natural depression
Targeted therapy of amino acids (WCAT)
Targeted amino acid therapy or WCAT is designed to fill gaps or imbalances of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are synthesized from different precursors of amino acids. Serotonin, for example, is synthesized from 5-HTP, and oral doses of 5-HTP has been proven to significantly elevate serotonin levels.
A noninvasive test laboratory neurotransmitter is available to measure your neurotransmitter and hormone levels. This test will determine which neurotransmitters are too high or too low. If an imbalance is present targeted amino acid therapy can help to restore the balance, reducing or eliminating symptoms such as anxiety or depression. The program uses a combination of certain amino acids, vitamins and minerals that will increase your body's production of neurotransmitters. These formulas may be used alone or in combination with other therapies your doctor may prescribe. The balance of these chemicals may open the way to restoring your health. You brain and nervous system once again send strong signals to the rest of your body.
5HTP
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid. It is found in high concentrations in the brain and acts as a building block for the brain to make serotonin. Under the proper stimulus from the brain turns 5-HTP into serotonin and / or melatonin. Because of this mechanism, 5-HTP is a very gentle but powerful support of the mood. 5-HTP may work synergistically with certain nutritional supplements to support mood. This amino acid nutrition can also support a healthy sleep cycle. Serotonin is involved in regulating mood, sleep and appetite control.
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is an amino acid that has been reliably reported to alleviate depression in some people at doses of 1000 mg twice a day. Acetyl-L-carnitine is a form of carnitine which has shown superior absorption effects to regular L-carnitine.
L-tryptophan.
