| When most people think of alternative medicine and | | | | Serotonin levels if too low can play a part in moods |
| depression St. John's Wort comes to mind and not | | | | and researchers believe this can lead to depression, |
| much else. But, things are changing and research has | | | | along with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), |
| found that many other options, whether using | | | | anxiety or panic attacks. |
| alternative medicine alone or together with | | | | Other alternative medicine and depression |
| conventional medicines, have proven that the amount | | | | supplements that help with serotonin levels and brain |
| of drugs needed have been reduced along with | | | | function are; |
| symptoms. | | | | -SAMe; helps the body to make serotonin and |
| If you are taking traditional medicines like SSRIs | | | | neurotransmitters |
| (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft), NDRIs (Bupropion, Wellbutrin), or | | | | -5-HTP; a precursor to serotonin |
| SNRIs (Cymbalta, Effexor) then you must check with | | | | -B complex; low levels can cause depression |
| your physician about your treatment plan and whether | | | | -Omega-3 Fish Oils; improves brain cell communication |
| you can add an alternative medicine to treat your | | | | Natural health practitioners also consider the following |
| depression. | | | | ways to use alternative medicine to treat depression |
| The biggest tip in the last couple of years has been | | | | such as acupuncture, meditation (controls stress and |
| the finding that Vitamin D can affect moods especially | | | | has many other benefits), exercise (releases |
| if you live north of the equator. Many people have | | | | endorphins which are natural mood elevators), and |
| been diagnosed with this deficiency which causes | | | | getting enough sleep to help with stress levels. |
| seasonal affective disorder (SAD); a depression that | | | | The mind is a powerful tool at your disposal. Take |
| appears in the winter months when there is a lack of | | | | care of it, feed it what it needs and it will serve you |
| sunshine. Deficiency also aids in bone loss causing | | | | well when it comes to changing and keeping your |
| osteoporosis; your body must have sufficient amounts | | | | health. |
| of Vitamin D to absorb calcium. | | | | |