Depression has recently been quoted in newspapers as “the most predicted common ailment of the 21st centuryâ€. Depression is mostly misunderstood because it depressive condition often masquerades as something else, and is still be minimised as an illness. Yet it can wreak havoc in the quality of a person’s physical and mental health.
Many people with depression do not seek effective help and suffer needlessly.Â
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A holistic approach
To achieve good and lasting results in overcoming emotional illness (incorporating depression and anxiety) it is necessary to deal with all possible causal factors.
Self medicating with alcohol or other drugs, or not seeking help are the two worst avenues a depressed person can take. These will ensure that she or he gradually deteriorates over time.
A new holistic approach to depression and anxiety is explained in my book titled Help for Depression and Anxiety – How to have a happy and healthy nervous system.
The holistic approach to emotional distress and imbalance addresses the following issues:
- Counselling from a good doctor, psychologist or professional counsellor can often be arranged through your local doctor (GP), who can set up a mental care plan for you.
- Nutritional deficiencies and the need for supplements to improve your brain and make your emotional system more robust.
- Poor diet and lifestyle. Many people who suffer with mood disorders do not eat enough protein and instead eat excess carbohydrate foods. Protein foods get broken down into amino acids, which are the building blocks of the brain’s happy chemicals known as neurotransmitters. You can be low in these neurotransmitters simply because you do not eat enough protein. The most important neurotransmitters are noradrenalin, dopamine and serotonin.
- Relaxation techniques such as tai chi, yoga, pilates and meditation can increase the brain’s endorphins which promote an energetic nervous system.
Support groups
Hormonal causes of emotional distress and mental fatigue.
Genetic factors causing inherited depression and anxiety.
The need for specific prescribed medication tailor made for the individual.
Holistic treatment means that lasting recovery from emotional illness is within everyone’s reach.
Important points
Treatment need not be expensive and it is wise to be wary of treatments or courses that cost exorbitant amounts because they may not be sustainable.
You may encounter fanatical approaches towards the treatment of emotional illness. For example, some religions and programs (often found on the Internet) are antagonistic towards antidepressant drugs or any pharmacological drugs that can be prescribed for emotional and/or mental illness. The proponents of this negative approach would be unlikely to have the professional expertise or clinical experience to back up their concepts.
The use of antidepressant drugs is frequently misunderstood. Many doctors are unaware of the use of natural hormones such as {quotes}natural progesterone, which can be a wonderful regulator of disturbed emotions in women{/quotes}.
Only by addressing all the factors can we achieve the best possible outcome for every individual who suffers with some form of emotional distress.
Regardless of the cause of depression, it is true that the most stressful aspect of our lives often lies between our ears. It is in the mind that threats and emptiness are perceived. Our greatest battlefield is usually in our own mind and when we can no longer fight alone for victory, thankfully, we can turn towards modern day psychiatry and holistic medicine.
To me, the definition of holistic medicine is healing that helps the mind, body and spirit.
Early treatment
New studies reported in the October 2008 edition of the journal The Archives of General Psychiatry have found that chronic major depression may result in loss of grey matter in important parts of the brain. Because the adverse changes in the physical structure of the brain caused by untreated depression, may make the depression worse; thus it becomes a self-perpetuating illness. This is why the treatment of depression should not be delayed.
Researchers from the University of Munich, Germany, performed MRI scans of the brains of 38 inpatients with major depression and compared them to MRI scans in healthy control patients at three-year intervals. Over a three-year period, the researchers discovered that the grey matter had shrunk in important areas of the brain concerned with intellect, character, judgement, emotions and memory in the 38 depressed subjects. In contrast, this did not happen to a significant degree in the healthy, non-depressed controls.
The researchers concluded that during depressive episodes grey matter density shrinks in the emotional and intellectual areas of the brain – namely the limbic and frontal cortex. The more severe the depression was, the more severe the physical changes in the brain became. The researchers could not be sure why the depression caused these important areas of the brain to physically deteriorate.
These findings necessitate the need for further research. I am sure that many of these adverse physical changes in the brain could be prevented if early treatment of a depressive illness was initiated and, just as importantly, a holistic approach to treatment was embraced.
The brain is a “plastic organ†and its physical structures can be improved with appropriate nutritional supplements, diet and antidepressant drugs, if needed. Cognitive therapies and the stimulation of new learning and interaction can also cause brain tissue to grow and form new neural pathways or circuits. {quotes}The brain is like a muscle: if you don’t use it, it will atrophy{/quotes}.
Natural supplements
Natural remedies to balance the nervous system include:
The herb Hypericum, also known as St John’s Wort, increases serotonin levels.
Mineral supplements such as magnesium, selenium and iodine are very helpful.
B group vitamins increase production of neurotransmitters.
Healthy happy fats for the brain should be boosted in the diet. These include fish oil and flaxseed oil. Eggs are abundant in protein and the right types of fats for the brain, so they should be eaten regularly. Free range or organic eggs are best.
Vitamin D, the sunshine hormone, is important for a healthy nervous system. If you are low in vitamin D you are more likely to be depressed. Have your vitamin D level checked with a blood test. If your blood vitamin D level is low, take a vitamin D supplement and spend more time in the sun with your skin exposed.
Mood Food
Sometimes tyrosine is referred to as a “mood food†because it is a protein supplement that can improve mood.
Tyrosine is required for the manufacture of several important brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. The production of the powerful neurotransmitters called dopamine, noradrenalin and adrenalin depends on adequate tyrosine levels in the brain. Each of these neurotransmitters helps to regulate mood and emotions. Low dopamine levels have been linked with:
- Food cravings (particularly for carbohydrate)
- Excessive hunger
- Reduced ability to achieve satisfaction
- Reduced ability to experience pleasure
- Reduced concentration and mental drive
Thyroid hormone production: The thyroid gland uses Tyrosine to manufacture the thyroid hormones T4 and T3. Thyroid hormones help regulate growth and the body’s metabolic rate; thus helping to maintain a healthy weight.
Melanin production:Â Tyrosine is required for the production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives hair and skin their colour.
Natural pain relieving substances:Â Tyrosine is needed for the production of enkephalins, which are substances that have pain-relieving effects in the body.
Tyrosine supplementation may provide the following benefits:
- Improved concentration and alertness.
- Better memory.
- More motivation.
- Increased ability to experience satisfaction and pleasure.
- Reduction in depression.
- Reduced appetite.
- More efficient metabolism, caused by improved thyroid hormone production.
- Improved energy levels
How to take tyrosine
Tyrosine is best taken at least 30 minutes before meals, two or three times daily. The recommended dose is 2 grams, two or three times daily. Tyrosine can be taken in the form of a pure white powder and is tasteless and odourless. This powder can be eaten off a spoon or stirred into water or juice.
Tyrosine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. It is found in protein containing foods such as milk, cheese, chicken, fish, almonds, bananas and avocados.
Contraindication
Tyrosine supplements must not be used by people taking a type of antidepressant medication called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) unless first checking with their doctor. Examples of these drugs include Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Selgene and Eldepryl (selegiline). Tyrosine can cause a severe rise in blood pressure in people taking these medications.
Why tyrosine?
A study carried out by Dr Alan Gelenberg of the Harvard Medical School showed that a lack of the amino acid tyrosine resulted in a deficiency of the brain transmitters’ dopamine and noradrenaline. These deficiencies occurred at certain locations in the brain, which relate specifically to mood disorders.
Tyrosine can be an excellent and safe natural antidepressant, generally exerting a stimulating effect. It can lift the mood while boosting concentration and mental drive.
Some people have a higher requirement for tyrosine than others. High workload, stress, poor diet, poor appetite and poor digestion, as well as genetic factors may be responsible for this.
Protein digestion
Poor protein digestion is common in people with irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal bloating and those taking antacid medication. Chronic stress often impairs digestion and absorption of protein because it disrupts the production of digestive enzymes and stomach acid. Neurotransmitters in the brain can become depleted due to stress, alcohol and sugar. Each of these factors increases the requirement for tyrosine.
Pathways of neurotransmitter production in the brain:
http://www.raysahelian.com/phenylalanine.html for information on Phenylalanine 
L Tyrosine
 L-Dopa
http://www.raysahelian.com/dopamine.html Dopamine
 
Noradrenaline
 adrenaline
Dr Cabot will be discussing these strategies in her seminar at the Conscious Living Expo in Perth. Come along and have your questions answered.
www.sandracabot.com
www.liverdoctor.com
