LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

depression

5-HTP MAY HELP WITH NIGHT TERRORS- (12-29-04)

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L-5-HYDROXYTRYPTOPHAN TREATMENT OF SLEEP TERRORS IN CHILDREN

This one came as a pleasant surprise. 5-HTP gets converted to serotonin which then has an effect on many neurologic stuff such as sleep. Although it was a small study, 84% of the children taking the 5-HTP were free of their night terrors by 6 months with no side effects seen. Might these sleep terrors be a precursor or sign of altered serotonin synthesis that may lead to depression or addictive behaviors in the future? I would like to see a study looking at that relationship.

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ANTIDEPRESSANTS USAGE MAY RESULT IN WEIGHT GAIN – (10-01-03)

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Depression in Association With Severe Obesity

I have yet to have a new patient come into my office who was told to use lifestyle changes to address their depression. All were offered antidepressants with very few cases given recommendations for counseling. If clinicians could begin to suggest lifestyle changes, folic acid/B12 and exercise instead of jumping to the prescription pad we might see better management of depression.

Ironically, one of the more common side effects of some of the newer, fancier antidepressants is weight gain–further perpetuating the cycle. Does this not sound strange to you???

Arch Intern Med — Abstracts: Dixon et al. 163 (17): 2058

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NUTRITION PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN PREVENTION OF DEPRESSION – (10-15-03)

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Dietary Folate and Depressive Symptoms Are Associated

The authors of this study conclude that “nutrition may have a role in the prevention of depression.” While the impact of nutritional status and psychological health is well established in the medical literature, it’s clinical use is still a rarity. And consider this, if a patient presents to his/her PCP with symptoms consistent with depressive disorder that may have a folate deficiency as a major contributing factor and the patient is put on SSRIs, what about the long term consequences of missing a folic acid deficiency??

This list could include certain types of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Considering the incredibly low costs of folic acid supplementation compared to all of the psychoactive drugs, might a clinician utilize folic acid as a first approach?

nutrition.org — Abstracts: Tolmunen et al. 133 (10): 3233

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IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH AMONG WOMEN – (12-12-05)

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Nutrition and Depression: Implications for Improving Mental Health Among Childbearing-Aged Women

This is one area that is vehemently ignored by mental health professionals I have come across. They are not willing to entertain the idea that depression may have a physiological cause that could be treated or at least reduced, with proper attention to diet and supplementation. There have been numerous studies linking improved depression and fish oil as well as certain B vitamins. Given their safety, and the major side effects of anti-depressant medications, this is an aspect that should absolutely be addressed in all mental health patients.

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BENEFITS OF OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTATION – (12-06-05)

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Cognitive and physiological effects of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in healthy subjects

While we have seen studies like this before with wonderful benefits of omega-3 supplementation, the question is, how many of these conditions would be present in the first place if there was enough omega 3 fatty acids in our diets in the first place.

This study found increased vigour, reduced anger, anxiety and depression with higher levels of omega 3s. So, quite frankly, a good quality EFA supplement should be on the shelf of every psychiatrist’s office right alongside those other “beneficial” compounds that modify that delicate balance of neurotransmitters within the brain that have never been adequately studied and regardless seem to have nominal benefits at best…

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CONTRIBUTIONS OF DEPRESSION TO HEART DISEASE – (06-06-05)

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Contributions of Depression and Inflammatory Markers to Heart Disease

When we talk about true wellness, we are not just talking about eating better and exercising.  True wellness encompasses spirituality, stress reduction as well as psychological health.

This article finds a relationship between depression and increased CRP, interleukin 6 and ICAM 1-all markers of inflammation.  And, given that inflammation has been linked to most chronic diseases, you can do the math from there.

WHAT IS THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF STRESS REDUCTION ON OUR HEALTH? – (05-16-05)

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Glucocorticoids, depression, mood disorders: structural remodeling in the brain

While we’re on the subject of stress, it is well known that chronic stress shrinks certain regions of the brain.

This study adds that, in chronic stress we see atrophy of the hippocampus, but also an enlargement of the amygdala, resulting in increased anxiety and aggression.  I know that stress reduction is important, but sometimes I forget just how much of a negative impact it has on our health.

Articles such as these two really slam home just how devastating chronic stress it.  So, take a deep breath.  Inhale slowly….

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HOW MUCH VITAMIN D IS CONSIDERED TO BE ADEQUATE? – (05-23-05)

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Vitamin D and calcium deficits predispose for multiple chronic diseases

I continue to rant on about how much research there is supporting Vit D and how much we’ve become deathly afraid of the sun.  Estimates range that as high as a whopping 75% of the population are Vit D deficient.  Given that it has been shown to protect against colon, prostate and breast cancer, atherosclerosis, certain forms of depression (specifically seasonal affective disorder), increase insulin sensitivity, strengthen bones, and probably many other things I can recall now, this is a major concern.  Even more of a concern is how much Vit D we consider “adequate.”  Normal sunlight exposure produces about 10,000 IU per day.

There is a wonderful review (Read More full text also available) that debunks the “upper safety threshold” of 2,000 IU–suggesting that daily intakes up around 4,000 IU are probably what should be recommended.  Contrast that with the current recommendations of a paltry 400 IU–almost 10 times below!!

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