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Depression

Here I compile references and research that is important to those dealing with depression. Studies indicate that a substantial number of people being treated for depression, ADHD, and other conditions with psychoactive drugs would recover much more quickly and avoid the risk of side effects if they were given proper nutrition including exercise and stress management. If you know someone with such concerns, please review the information at the following links.

From Nov. 22, 2011 email - EASE DEPRESSION. The two omega-3s of fish oil, both EPA and DHA, are involved in reducing depression.
I am thankful to my dear former student “John” Kim, once chief resident of Andrew Weil, and recently Co-chair of the Conference on Integrative Health. He recently wrote that “Depending on what condition you are targeting - there are studies that show EPA works for depression but not DHA and vice versa. Usually I target 1.5 g of EPA and 1 g of DHA for beginning of titration [of depression].” Standard fish oil tablets contain 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA, the ratio Dr. Kim recommends to begin with.

Fish oil - There are many research papers showing how lack of fish oil may cause depression. I know of individuals who have been prescribed to take 7 g of fish oil daily who have had remarkable improvements in mood. Here are specific pages with information on fish oil and depression (1, 2). Here is background about what fish oil does.

Consider SAMe as the most effective substance for dealing with depression, more effective than prescription anti-depressants.

Consider exercise, shown to be more effective than pills. SEE THIS LINK FOR RESEARCH POSTER ON DEPRESSION.

Get your salad. Homocysteine is linked to depression: Association between depressive symptoms and serum concentrations of homocysteine in men: a population study Tommi Tolmunen et al Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,  Dec 2004;  80:  1574 - 1578.

Results: Those in the upper tertile for serum homocysteine had a more than twofold higher risk of being depressed than did those in the lowest tertile... Conclusion: High serum concentrations of tHcy may be associated with depression in middle-aged men.