Depression Flashcards
Depression
Characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, and hopelessness with loss of interest and pleasure in life.
Depression: Signs and symptoms
- Loss of interest in usual activities.
- Loss of energy, low self esteem, anxiety.
- Feelings of worthlessness.
- Difficulties in concentrating.
- Feeling tearful, guilt ridden.
- Changes in appetite and weight.
- Low libido.
- Disturbed sleep.
- Self harm, recurrent thoughts of suicide.
Depression: Causes and risk factors
- Common causes include bereavements , listening to bad news
(media), fear of losing work / financial worries etc. Exposure to chronic or traumatic stress in childhood or later in life. - NT imbalances
– Factors such as nutritional deficiencies and SNPs associated with NT function are linked with depression - Nutritional inadequate co-factors for NT production; ↓ omega 3 fatty acids (impedes FFAR sensitivity and disrupts regulation of the eCB system and HPA axis); high sugar intake ( (↓ BDNF, ↑ inflammation).
- Chronic stress
- Gut microbiome
- Chronic low grade inflammation
- Hypothyroid
- Allergy
- Toxicity
Depression: Natural Approach
- CNM Naturopathic Diet with ‘Neuro Nutrition’ approach:
- The Mediterranean style diet
- Increase antioxidants to 8 portions colourful and seasonal fruits and veg
- Focus on a tryptophan rich diet
- Low GI carbohydrates
- Optimise digestion
- Exercise outdoors
- Address stress
- Sunlight
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Sleep hygiene.
- Detoxification
- Sex hormone imbalances
Depression: Supplements
B Complex
St John’s Wort
Saffron
5-HTP
Omega-3
Phosphatydlserine
Vitamin D
Probiotics
Turmeric
Bach Flowers
B Complex
Especially 5 MTHF, B6, B12 for methylation and
NT synthesis.
50-150mg/day
St John’s Wort
- Thymoleptic (lifts mood) mood), nervine tonic, anti viral.
- Mechanisms multifactorial COMT / MAO inhibition, serotonin , dopamine and noradrenalin, GABA reuptake ; GABA A and B receptor binding, blocking GABA ligand binding. Inhibits Il 6,
so ↓ cortisol. Induces CYP3A4 (contraindicated with many drugs)
Aerial parts
600 - 1200 mg of dry
extract as 3 divided
doses per day. 2 tsp
infused x 3 cups daily.
Saffron
- Thymoleptic -phytochemicals safranal,
crocin and kaempferol inhibit serotonin
reuptake. Its efficacy has been demonstrated for depressive disorders including those
associated with PMS, menopause, fibromyalgia and IBS . - Reduces anxiety and is used for general nervous debility.
30 mg, 2x/d
5-HTP
- Serotonin precursor from Griffonia
simplicifolia seeds. - May cause GI disturbances, mood disturbances, seizures, abnormal blood counts.
- GI side effects: A good starting dose is 50-100 mg / day.
Omega- 3 Fatty Acids
- Maintain fluidity of neuronal cell embranes and promote FFAR sensitivity allowing NT binding and intracellular signalling endorphin release in hypothalamus, ↓ depressive like behaviour.
- Improve post synaptic receptor sensitivity to NTs.
- Have a powerful effect in modulating the eCB system, which elicits effects on
neurotransmission, and
inflammation, as well as neuroendocrine processes through influences on the HPA axis. - Reduce cytokines involved in neuroinflammation.
Minimum 1000mg
Phosphatidyleserine
- Embeds in neuronal cell membranes , supporting NT production and post synaptic uptake.
- Dampens effects of prolonged cortisol secretion on brain function, improves mood and sleep quality.
- Combined with DHA and EPA, PS has shown to significantly improve late life depression.
100mg 3x/d
Vitamin D
- VDRs are located in many brain regions including those
implicated in depression (cingulate cortex, hippocampus). - Regulates neurotrophic factors, neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. levels are linked with ↑ depression risk.
Probiotics
- Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 & Bifidobacterium longum
R0175 reduces depression / anxiety with ↓ inflammatory
cytokines, ↓ kynurenine / tryptophan ratio and BDNF.
Turmeric
- Inhibits MAO A and MAO B
1-3g/d or 200-400mg curcumin
Bach Flowers
Mustard depression that comes and goes for no
reason), aspen (fears and worries of unknown origin), elm overwhelmed by responsibility), gentian
(discouraged for small setbacks), larch (lack
self esteem). Star of Bethlehem (bereavement).
4 drops 4x daily
