Depression Nutrition & Supplements

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Many depressed people, including those who are just "on edge," neglect themselves and eat poorly. Take a god multivitamin and mineral formula daily to make sure your body has all the basic nutrients it requires.

Calcium and magnesium are essential to the central nervous system. They work best when taken together. Take a calcium and magnesium combination formula that supplies 500 milligrams of calcium 250 to 500 milligrams of magnesium twice daily.

Chromium helps keep blood-sugar levels in balance. Take 200 micrograms twice a day for one month, and then reduce to 200 micrograms daily.

DL-phenylalanine (DLPA) can be very helpful for a short period of time, if taken correctly. Take 500 to 1,000 milligrams twice a day, between meals, with water or juice only. Do not take it with protein foods. Take it for up to three weeks.

Levels of folic acid are often significantly lower than normal in people who are depressed. Take 800 micrograms of folic acid twice a day for one month. Thereafter, take 800 micrograms once daily. If you take any of the B-complex supplement at a different time of day.

Inositol is a B vitamin required for the activity of several important neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Levels of inositol are often low in depressed people. In one study, subjects given 1 gram of inositol per day had therapeutic results similar to common antidepressant drugs, but with no unwanted side effects. The same results were confirmed in additional studies. Further, Chinese medicine teaches that stagnation of the liver contributes to many problems, including depression. Inositol promotes the export of fat from the liver, thus helping relieve stagnation of this important organ. Take 500 milligrams of inositol three times daily for one week. If you note no improvement after that time, discontinue use; otherwise, continue taking 500 milligrams three times daily as needed. This dosage of inositol should be used under the supervision of a physician.

Melatonin may be helpful for some cases of seasonal affective disorder. Some experts believe the body's melatonin mechanism is involved in this form of depression. Melatonin can also be helpful if you are having problems with insomnia. Take 3 milligrams each evening, between one-half hour and two hours before retiring for the night.

An excellent supplement for depression is s-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM or SAM-e). This amino-acid derivative has been compared to prescription medication, but without the side effects. Initial recommended doses are in the range of 400 to 500 milligrams three times daily, followed by a maintenance dose of 400 milligrams a day. Unfortunately, SAM is not easy to obtain, and it is expensive. It can be ordered by mail from the Life Extension Foundation. Research has found that trimethylglycine (TMG), which is less expensive, is converted into SAM in the body. The initial recommended dose of TMG is 3,000 milligrams a day, followed by a maintenance dose of 1,000 milligrams a day for up to three weeks.

Tyrosine is an important amino acid that stimulates the production of norepinephrine, a hormone that is essential to the central nervous system. This nutrient is especially important for the depressed individual who is feeling excessive fatigue. Take 250 to 500 milligrams twice a day for up to three weeks.

Note: If you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drug, do not take supplemental tyrosine, as a dangerous elevation in blood pressure may result.

A deficiency of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) usually accompanies depression. Take 50 milligrams of vitamin B6 twice a day for two weeks, between meals. Then take 50 milligrams once daily for three weeks, between meals. Thereafter, take a good B-complex formula or a multivitamin and mineral supplement to maintain healthy levels of this vitamin.

Vitamin B12 can help to increase energy and improve mood. Take 300 to 500 micrograms twice a day. If you take any of the B vitamins individually, you should also take a B-complex supplement at a different time of day.

Depression: It provides medical information about depression disease including causes, symptoms, etc.
Treatment for depression: This section provides information about depression treatment.
Depression diet: It gives information and guidelines to choose your sample diet to eliminate your depression.
Herbal treatment for depression: This section focuses on various traditional herbal treatments used to cure depression.
Depression acupressure treatment: This section provides various acupressure points on the body to treat depression.
Depression aromatherapy treatment: This section provides information about essential oils which are helpful to cure depression.
Depression homeopathy treatment: It provides information about homeopathic medicines required for curing depression.

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