Nutrition and Depression

Muddy_Yogi

is anyone using Nutrition or herbal supplements to control or limit their depression instead of the prescription meds? IF so, please let me know what you are doing. I am looking for alternatives to bring up to my doctor.

sapalee

Not personally but my hubby is working on a research paper at the moment and was sharing the research he found regarding Vitamin D and Omega 3 and psychiatric/learning benefits. That may be a place to start your search.

Muddy_Yogi

I will look into those. Thank you!

lambertj

1000 mg of Vitamin D3 per day - amazing!

beduffbrickie

Not personally but my hubby is working on a research paper at the moment and was sharing the research he found regarding Vitamin D and Omega 3 and psychiatric/learning benefits. That may be a place to start your search.


On meds but the above is correct, vit D and Omega 3 very important

BrianSharpe

1000 mg of Vitamin D3 per day - amazing!

http://www.fmcfs.ca/FMresearch-abstracts-2007.pdf

"Low levels of vitamin D have been frequently reported in
fibromyalgia, but no relationship was demonstrated with anxiety and depression."

fitnesspirateninja

Not personally, but SAM-e and St. John's Wort are both supposed to be helpful with depression.

lambertj

1000 mg of Vitamin D3 per day - amazing!

http://www.fmcfs.ca/FMresearch-abstracts-2007.pdf

"Low levels of vitamin D have been frequently reported in
fibromyalgia, but no relationship was demonstrated with anxiety and depression."

I don't need a study to tell me anything, been off my meds for depression and IBS since I started taking D3 for about a month (after being on them for my entire adult life). I feel better than I ever have and I give all the credit to the D

markdeyoung

Vitamin D and Adrenal Complex have worked wonders for me.

SuffolkSally

B12, D3 and fish oils.... there's an awful lot of research and I'm not familiar with it, but have a look at the MIND website and try googling "Food and mood"

AZKristi

I have struggled with depression at certain points in my life. Eating a healthy, balanced diet, as well as getting plenty of exercise and sleep help me stay sane. If you are already taking meds, don't stop without medical supervision.

cmriverside

1000 mg of Vitamin D3 per day - amazing!

http://www.fmcfs.ca/FMresearch-abstracts-2007.pdf

"Low levels of vitamin D have been frequently reported in
fibromyalgia, but no relationship was demonstrated with anxiety and depression."

I don't need a study to tell me anything, been off my meds for depression and IBS since I started taking D3 for about a month (after being on them for my entire adult life). I feel better than I ever have and I give all the credit to the D

I agree. One study from 2007 proves nothing to me.

I've suffered from really bad seasonal depression for twenty years. I live in the Pacific NW, and we get very little sun in the winter months. Even though I have a pretty clean diet, I started taking Vitamin D 2000 IU, and fish oil, and found it helped immensely. Not sure which was the most helpful, since I started both last summer. Not to mention I now have thicker hair, and my nails grow for the first time in my life. No more cracking, flaking, chipped nails.


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YouAreTheShit

You might consider getting your hormone levels checked. I am discovering that our bodies get whacked out crazy (including depression) when our hormone levels aren't where they need to be. Google "women hormone therapy" for more info...

sapalee

You might consider getting your hormone levels checked. I am discovering that our bodies get whacked out crazy (including depression) when our hormone levels aren't where they need to be. Google "women hormone therapy" for more info...

Typical guy blaming hormones.

j/k, just busting your chops.

Bentley2718

I take anti-depressants, but I do find that eating a healthy diet (not too much refined sugar) as well as getting a lot of exercise help with my anxiety and depression immensely.

There is a very interesting blog titled Evolutionary Psychology ( http://evolutionarypsychiatry.blogspot.com/ ) written by a psychiatrist who does a lot of reading on the issue of nutrition and various illnesses, including depression. Her blog entries typically include citations to peer-reviewed journals, so you know the information came from a somewhat reliable source and you can find the study yourself if you are so inclined. I really enjoy reading her blog.

TeachTheGirl

More exercise. D3 and fish oil.

Also learning to view myself differently. It helps.

jennifershoo

I'm currently working on improving my mood with food and natural supplements. I've been suffering of depression, anxiety and chronic stress for years. It's a long process, but I'm getting better.
First of all, you have to change the way you eat for good. It's a total lifestyle change, but it's way better than taking prescription meds for the rest of your life (my main reason why I stopped my meds is I'm trying to get pregnant and the SSRIs are known to cause birth defects).
Ditch the junk food and eat the least processed food as possible.
I eat organic (85-90%) and hormone-free meat.
Lots of veggies.
I take 2000 iu of Vitamin D3. That dose was recommended by my doctor after review of my blood test result. I was very low, but you better have your level checked because taking too much D3 can be bad.
I just started taking Natural Calm. It's a powdered magnesium supplement. It makes wonder!!!!!! Most people are magnesium deficient and don't even know it. I took the magnesium citrate pills but it didn't give me the calmness effect that the powder does.
I also take omega-3 (Natural Factors, RxOmega-3 Factors, EPA 400 mg/DHA 200 mg, 240 Softgels - it's the best rated one).
I eat a lot of wild caught fish (wild caught doesn't have high amount of mercury and also is not feed GMO corn like the farm-raised fish).
I take a multivitamin (mine is prenatal but look at the reviews to see what's best for you).
No more caffeine ever. Yes, I'm fully aware that people don't want to give up their coffee, but coffee was slowly killing me. It raises the cortisol level in your body and that level stays elevated up to 18 hours (if I recall) after your cup of coffee. Cortisol lowers your progesterone levels, than you end up with estrogen dominance and a multitude of the bad side effects related to it (breast cancer and depression for example).
I started running, which I never thought I would be able to do! I LOVE the endorphin effects and it really makes a difference in my mood. Try to find an activity, sport or work-out that you like and stick with it.
I also did a liver detox for hormonal reasons, but I'm sure it helps with the mood as well.
Spirulina and Chlorella in a green smoothie (well, it's mostly brownish-greenish as I put chocolate whey in it) every morning.
That's what I'm thinking of right now. If I have more tips, I'll be back.
If you're interested to buy some supplements, I use the website iherbs. You can read reviews and they process and deliver super fast.

I hope it helps!

jennifershoo

You might consider getting your hormone levels checked. I am discovering that our bodies get whacked out crazy (including depression) when our hormone levels aren't where they need to be. Google "women hormone therapy" for more info...

Typical guy blaming hormones.

j/k, just busting your chops.

*sigh*
That ''typical guy'' is right. Hormones ARE the reason for so many symptoms and illnesses. The problem is most people, when they talk to their doctor, explain their symptoms like ''feeling depressed'' so the doctor will prescribe a SSRI and treat only the symptom and not the cause. Also, their is a really big problem about the way the hormones are checked by the doctors. Most of them will use blood tests although saliva test should be used. Hormones levels varies a lot during the women cycles (before ovulation your estrogen is higher and after ovulation, the progesterone should be higher). If you're interested to learn more, I suggest googling Dr Michael Lam and Dr John Lee and read their website. Dr Lam also have free pdf books on his website.

slbeutler

There is a book I recently read called Potatoes not Prozac that you might want to read.

My son has Asperpergers and ADHD which causes a lot of anxiety and sometimes depression. He is on a special diet of high protein, low carbs, low sugar and lots of vitamin C, Omega 3's and healthy fats. We also elminated gluten. We all follow it and so far are seeing some positive results. It was prescribed by his learning and behavior specialist.