Depression ideas
Ok, I've posted this stuff before, but there are a number of folks on my friends list that could use some ideas who may not have seen/remember this, and it's been a while. I know a number of folks who are dealing with Depression issues and for whatever reason (preference, cost, not wanting to always be on them, concern for how "healthy" they are) don't want to go the drug route, here are some ideas. Remember I'm *NOT* a doctor in any way shape or form, so don't take this as medical advice!
Nutrients that can help with Depression. Now part of what triggers depression is that certain brain amines (chemicals that make the synaptic connections in the brain) are low, and how most anti-depressants work is by either increasing the amount of these amines or by keeping the body from breaking down the amines. Well, here's the thing, you can increase these amines naturally by consuming the amino acids and coenzymes that go into making them in the first place. rather than taking drugs that force the body into producing more, why not try giving the body the resources it needs to make them to begin with? Now first of all a good multi-vitamin is always a good idea, very few of us get what we need form food alone. This can only help to improve your all around health anyway. Now the specific nutritional suppliments for depression include a good vitamin B complex, your body is most likely not getting enough of these to begin with and they are needed specifically in the production of serotonin and norepinepherine. (the brain amines most commonly associated with depression) Also important is getting enough Magneseum, most american diets are low in this mineral and it is needed to produce S and N. Vitamin C is needed as well, and Seleneum and zinc. Also for folks suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, try taking vitamin D. Now the precurser Amino Acid for Serotonin is L-Tryptophan and this should be taken before bed as it may make you drowsy. (yeah it's the stuff in turkey) For Norepinepherine it is L-Ttyrosine or L-phenlalanine. these should be taken earlier in the day as they could keep you awake. Now here's the real challenge and the reason some folks have such a hard time finding anti-depressents that work, you have to figure out WHICH brain amine you are low on. In a perfect world you would go to the doctor and have blood tests done, but if you can't afford that, well, try taking the amino acids and see what helps. They won't hurt you any even if they don't help. (well ok, as long as you take the recomended daily dose, I mean if you down the whole bottle something might happen, but if you eat a steak the amino acids are in there.) Just thought I would pass these things along for those of you I know are suffering through this too.
Now on another front, I was asked about how to deal with the more agitated state of depression, (some folks seem to think there is something to this depression thing and that maybe i KNOW something) and here are some ideas.
Exercise, this really does work, releases all kinds of "happy chemicals". Unfortunately it wears off in a couple of hours, but there is evidence as little as 15 minutes helps.
Meditation. No really, it really does help to calm the worried mind.
Sex, this is partially the exercise, but also sex releases all kinds of "HC" all on it's own too! Can't beat that caring human contact for making things seem better.
When worries start going around and around in your head like a spastic squirrel on a hampster wheel try shaking your head, that works for me, though at first I had to yell NONONONONONO!... (for stubborn stuff i used to hit myself in the head too, but I kind of don't recomend that) kind of have to train yourself on this one to short circuit the thoughts. Pain can do that... but then there is the potential for that whole self mutilation thing...
Watch comedy movies, good ones really can help. I particularly liked weekend at bernies.
Now for foods, vitamins, and suppliments... Chamomile tea has a tranquilizing effect and helps people sleep, also warm milk, but it HAS to be heated, turkey, grapefruit can help you sleep, valarian. Cut back on sugar and caffiene, these can seriously key you up. Now for this kind of depression the L-Tryptophan (2,000 mg, double it if you have trouble sleeping) is the Amino acid you want to go with, and you take that at bed time. Lecithin can help with agitation, and GABA (better if it comes with inositol and B3). Magnesium is important to take because stress takes it out of our system, stress strips us of the B vitamins too so a B vitamin complex would be good. A good multivitamin would be a good thing too if you aren't already taking something.
Nutrients that can help with Depression. Now part of what triggers depression is that certain brain amines (chemicals that make the synaptic connections in the brain) are low, and how most anti-depressants work is by either increasing the amount of these amines or by keeping the body from breaking down the amines. Well, here's the thing, you can increase these amines naturally by consuming the amino acids and coenzymes that go into making them in the first place. rather than taking drugs that force the body into producing more, why not try giving the body the resources it needs to make them to begin with? Now first of all a good multi-vitamin is always a good idea, very few of us get what we need form food alone. This can only help to improve your all around health anyway. Now the specific nutritional suppliments for depression include a good vitamin B complex, your body is most likely not getting enough of these to begin with and they are needed specifically in the production of serotonin and norepinepherine. (the brain amines most commonly associated with depression) Also important is getting enough Magneseum, most american diets are low in this mineral and it is needed to produce S and N. Vitamin C is needed as well, and Seleneum and zinc. Also for folks suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, try taking vitamin D. Now the precurser Amino Acid for Serotonin is L-Tryptophan and this should be taken before bed as it may make you drowsy. (yeah it's the stuff in turkey) For Norepinepherine it is L-Ttyrosine or L-phenlalanine. these should be taken earlier in the day as they could keep you awake. Now here's the real challenge and the reason some folks have such a hard time finding anti-depressents that work, you have to figure out WHICH brain amine you are low on. In a perfect world you would go to the doctor and have blood tests done, but if you can't afford that, well, try taking the amino acids and see what helps. They won't hurt you any even if they don't help. (well ok, as long as you take the recomended daily dose, I mean if you down the whole bottle something might happen, but if you eat a steak the amino acids are in there.) Just thought I would pass these things along for those of you I know are suffering through this too.
Now on another front, I was asked about how to deal with the more agitated state of depression, (some folks seem to think there is something to this depression thing and that maybe i KNOW something) and here are some ideas.
Exercise, this really does work, releases all kinds of "happy chemicals". Unfortunately it wears off in a couple of hours, but there is evidence as little as 15 minutes helps.
Meditation. No really, it really does help to calm the worried mind.
Sex, this is partially the exercise, but also sex releases all kinds of "HC" all on it's own too! Can't beat that caring human contact for making things seem better.
When worries start going around and around in your head like a spastic squirrel on a hampster wheel try shaking your head, that works for me, though at first I had to yell NONONONONONO!... (for stubborn stuff i used to hit myself in the head too, but I kind of don't recomend that) kind of have to train yourself on this one to short circuit the thoughts. Pain can do that... but then there is the potential for that whole self mutilation thing...
Watch comedy movies, good ones really can help. I particularly liked weekend at bernies.
Now for foods, vitamins, and suppliments... Chamomile tea has a tranquilizing effect and helps people sleep, also warm milk, but it HAS to be heated, turkey, grapefruit can help you sleep, valarian. Cut back on sugar and caffiene, these can seriously key you up. Now for this kind of depression the L-Tryptophan (2,000 mg, double it if you have trouble sleeping) is the Amino acid you want to go with, and you take that at bed time. Lecithin can help with agitation, and GABA (better if it comes with inositol and B3). Magnesium is important to take because stress takes it out of our system, stress strips us of the B vitamins too so a B vitamin complex would be good. A good multivitamin would be a good thing too if you aren't already taking something.