Treating Depression: Supplements Or Antidepressants?

There’s a growing belief among certain Clinical Psychiatrists that diet is a major factor to consider in treating depression and other behavioral related conditions. Many now look beyond the usual complaints (such as, mood swings, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, foggy brain and memory, heavy fatigue, perimenopause and low level libido) of how one is feeling. A close look at patient’s daily eating habits including possible patterns regarding mood swings, nightly sleep habits, and daily energy levels as well as other symptoms of concern is a wise place to begin. Adding a series of detailed blood tests that include anemia, blood sugar levels and thyroid function is important as they are all considered contributors to depression.

The nutritional testing of a patient’s magnesium, chromium, zinc, B vitamins, estrogen levels, adrenal function and toxin levels play an important role in the psychiatrist’s decision to prescribe antidepressant drugs or choosing to recommend supplementing the patient’s diet. For example, depending on the gathered test results patients may be advised to take chromium, which evens out blood sugar levels, and/or magnesium, which is vital for brainpower. A specific supplement for Candida, a menopause support formula, or a remedy to help restore adrenal function may be in order as well.

In closely followed cases where patients adhere to this mode of treatment within the first week of the outlined programs there were reports of “feeling much better.” Regular follow up with testing and supplement adjustments resulted in continuous improvement, and for others, a complete disappearance of symptoms. Getting the brain and body in a cooperative mode through nutritionally rich foods and supplements is a growing alternative to antidepressant drugs in up and coming medical circles.

Dr, Hyla Cass, an expert in nutritional medicine and an assistant clinical professor at UCLA, long ago became convinced that no form of psychotherapy can be fully effective if the brain isn't functioning properly. And to do that the brain needs optimal nourishment, something she says is increasingly hard to come by in the typical American diet. "Depressed, tired, overweight women are often told they need Prozac," Cass says, "when in fact all they really need to get their brains and bodies on track is a steady supply of real food." She recommends that her patients drink lots of water and eat organic vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean protein. "Diets high in refined foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats can actually interfere with our natural brain chemistry."
Dr. Cass is author of several popular books. http://www.cassmd.com/about.html