Advanced Option Strategies

Although depression can be an life-depleting condition, not all people who experience it choose to use prescription medication. Natural supplements for depression can be an effective strategy for managing the symptoms of depression, plus there is plenty of clinical research to support their use.

Consulting a practitioner of natural medicine may be your best option to assess your alternatives for depression treatment without drugs. That being said, here are a few of the nutritional supplements and herbs that have proven to be effective in clinical studies.

5 HTP

5 HTP is an amino acid complex that is converted by the body into serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood, appetite, sleep and sexuality. Although it is found in foods, the amount is very low. Dietary habits and the lack of nutrients in the foods that we eat may have caused 5 HTP deficiencies in many people.

 The mainstream medical community rarely looks for the cause of a disorder. Instead, they try to treat the symptoms. Practitioners of natural treatment for depression, on the other hand, may try to identify a cause by evaluating the patient’s dietary habits and lifestyle.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are a group of essential fatty acids. They are necessary for human health, but the body cannot produce them. So, they must be present in the diet. The amount of omega-3s in the typical American diet is very low. Some researchers believe that is why we have become the “Prozac Nation”.

The brain contains a great deal of fat. Of that fat, about 40% is a specific kind of omega-3 called DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid. Low blood levels of DHA are an indicator for depressive disorders.

There are a number of omega-3 natural supplements for depression on the market, but not all of them provide sufficient quantities of DHA. Amounts that have been used in clinical studies approach 500mg per day.

St John’s Wort

St John’s wort is probably the best known alternative medicine for depression. Although is it not regulated as a prescription drug in the US, it is prescribed for depressive disorders in some countries.

St. John’s wort works by stimulating the production of the serotonin in the brain which can help bolster emotional stability and reduce stress. Clinical studies of St. John’s wort have shown that for mild to moderate anxiety and depression symptoms this herb can be just as effective as prescription drugs, but without the side effects. If you are taking any prescription medication, you should not take St John’s wort without consulting your doctor.

SAM-e

SAM-e is a nutrient produced within the body. Because of that, it is not considered essential to the human diet. Research indicates that it is effective for most depressive disorders, but co-supplementation is necessary. It must be taken with vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid. Otherwise, it will be ineffective.

There’s no doubt in my mind that natural supplements for depression work. I’ve experienced the results myself. If you would like to avoid the side effects that sometimes come with prescription medications and are looking for a long term solution for depression symptoms, the nutritional supplements and herbs mentioned here have proven to be effective in clinical studies.