Natural Anxiety & Depression Treatments

Niacin is a nutrient that is used by the body for the generation for the generation of energy and metabolism. Deficiency of niacin results into decreased energy metabolism in the brain. When the body is deficient of Niacin, the tryptophan is converted by the body to Niacinamide which is the amide form of Niacin. Take note that tryptophan is converted by the body to serotonin, the neurotransmitter which makes us feel good. The conversion of tryptophan to niacinamide causes a reduction in the amount of available “feel good” neurotransmitter serotonin. Increasing the dietary intake of Niacin or Niacinamide helps increase serotonin levels in the brain. Niacinamide also goes into the same receptor sites of the brain as with tranquilizers. Thus niacinamide acts like a natural tranquilizer.

The recommended dose for people with depression is 500 mg four times a day. Natural sources of niacinamide includes Beef liver, Brewer’s yeast, Chicken, Halibut, Peanuts, Pork, Salmon, Sunflower seeds, Swordfish, Tuna, Turkey and Veal.

References:

1. The Common Form of Niacin Amide Deficiency Disease, Aniacinamidosis. By author, Bridgeport, CT., 1943
2. Niacinamide therapy for joint mobility. Conn. State Med. J. 17:584-589, 1953
3. Niacinamide, a most neglected vitamin. 1978 Tom Spies Memorial Lecture. Journal Int. Acad. of Preventive Medicine 8:5-25,1983
4. Niacinamide improves mobility in degenerative joint disease. Abstract published in Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for its meeting in Philadelphia, May 24-30, 1986

Last update: January 19, 2009

Folic acid deficiency can be caused by diet, physical and/or psychological stress, malabsoprtion of nutrients, chronic diarrhea and excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks. Folic acid deficiency can be attributed also to pregnancy or oral contraceptive use. Some estrogen preparations and anticonvulsants may also cause folic acid deficiency. Insufficient intake of folic acid results into the following psychiatric symptoms, forgetfulness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia and anorexia. Studies suggest that the serum levels of folate in depressed patients are lower compared normal medical patients. It was also shown that depressed patients with low folate levels had a higher chance of getting high depression ratings on the Hamilton Depression Scale compared to depressed patients with normal folate levels. A recent study of the researchers at the University of York and Hull York Medical School which involved 15,315 participants have confirmed the link between depression and low levels of folate.

Natural sources of folic acid include lettuces, dried beans, peas,spinach, turnip greens, fortified cereal products, sunflower seeds and other fruits and vegetables. Liver and liver products are very rich in folate .The usual dose of Folic acid is 0.4 to 1 milligrams per day. Too much folic acid intake may mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

References:

1. Reynolds, E. Preece, J., Baily, J. and Coppen, A. Folate deficiency in depressive illness., BrJ Psychiat, 117:287-92, 1970.
2. Neims, A. and von Borstel, R., Caffeine: metabolism and biochemical mechanisms of action, In: Nutrition and the Brain, vol. 6, Wurtman, R. and Wurtman, J. (eds.), Raven Press, New York, NY, 1983.
3. Krause, M. and Mahan, L., Nutrition and Diet Therapy, WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1984.

Last update:  January 16, 2009

The researchers of Journal of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition reported that those patients who are receiving intravenous feeding developed depression. When they started supplementing 300 micrograms of biotin, the symptoms of depression improved within 5 days. The journal of American Medical Association reported a study where the patients are deprived of biotin so that they can determine the effects of biotin diffiency on the body. After 10 weeks the patients are showing symptoms of depression and fatique. The symptoms where only relieved after they resumed the normal intake levels of biotin.

The recommended daily intake of Biotin is 300 micrograms per day on healthy individuals. You can easily get biotin or vitamin-H from organ meats (liver and kidneys), avocados, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, bananas, grapefruits, raisins, dairy products (milk, cheese and butter), egg yolks, oysters, lobster, poultry, cauliflower, mushrooms, green peas, black currants and brewer’s yeast.

References:

1. http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/articles/ocdepression.shtml
2. Krause, M. and Mahan, L. Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, WB Saunders Co, Philadelphia, PA. 1984.
3. Lipton, K., Mailman, R. and Numeroff, C., Vitamins: megavitamin therapy and the nervous system, In: Nutrition and the Brain, Vol. 3, Wurtman, R. and Wurtman, W.(eds.), Raven Press, New York, NY, 1979, pp. 183-264.
4. http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/vitamin-h-biotin-500048.html

Last Update:  January 16, 2009

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is a cofactor for enzymes that will convert L-tryptophan to the feel good hormone Serotonin. Thus a deficiency of Vitamin B6 will result in reduce levels of serotonin leading to depression. Although Vitamin B6 deficiency is rare it is noted in studies that at least 21% of depressed patients had low plasma levels of pyridoxine. Another study suggests that four out of seven depressed patients have below normal levels of pyridoxal phosphate ( the active form of vitamin B6 found in plasma ). Depression is also a common side effect of oral contraceptives. A double blind study showed that the symptoms of depression associated with oral contraceptive use can be reduced by taking 2mg of Vitamin-B6 twice a day for two months. Females who are not deficient with Vitamin-B6 did not respond to vitamin supplementation. Studies suggest that Vitamin B6 is a good complementary treatment for depressed patients. The typical dose for supplementation is 50 mg per day.

Effectiveness:

“Our study suggests that a low level of plasma PLP is associated with symptoms of depression. Randomized trials are now justified and needed in order to examine whether treatment with vitamin B6 may improve symptoms of depression.” (Reference: Hvas AM, Juul S, Bech P, Nexø E. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, AKH, Aarhus, Denmark. am.hvas@dadlnet.dk)

“Results suggest that doses of vitamin B-6 up to 100 mg/day are likely to be of benefit in treating premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual depression.” (BMJ. 1999 May 22;318(7195):1375-81.)

Dosage and Sources:

Natural sources of Vitamin B6 include bananas, potatoes, acorn squash, avocados, watermelon, avocados and prune juice.

References:

1. Carny, K., William, D. and Sheffield, B., Thiamine and pyridoxine lack in newly-aditted psychiatric patients, BR J Psychiat, 13 5:249-54, 1979
2. Ross, C.E. and Hayes, D., Exercise and psychological well-being in the community, Am J Epidemiology, 127:762-71, 1988.
3. Caruso, I., Fumagali, M., Boccassini, L., et al., Antidepressant activity of S-adenosylethionin, Lancet, i904, 1984.
4. Lipton, K., Mailman, R. and Numeroff, C., Vitamins, megavitamin therapy and the nervous system. In: Nutrition and the Brain, vol 13, Wurtman, R. and Wurtman, W. (eds.), Raven Press, New York, NY, 1979, pp. 183-264.
5. Russ, C., Hendricks, T., Chrisley, B., Kalin, N. and Driskell, J., Vitamin B6, status of depressed and obsessive-compulsive patients, Nutr Rep Intl, 27:864-73, 1983.

Last update:  January 16, 2009

Vitamin-C is needed for the synthesis of collagen and connective tissues. This vitamin also helps in boosting the repair mechanism of the body and of course the immune system. Vitamin-C is involved in the chemical process that involves tryptophan ( the “feel good” brain chemical of the body). It acts as a cofactor for for tryptophan-5-hydroxylase. Tryptophan-5-hydroxylase hastens the hydroxylation of tryptophan to the “feel good” brain chemical serotonin. Difficiency of Vitamin-C means an impaired production of tryptohan which may lead to depression.

Effectiveness:

In one study involving vitamain-C , 40 psychiatric patients received 1 g/day of ascorbic acid or a placebo for three weeks. In a double-blind test, The vitamin C group,  yields significant improvements in depressive, manic and paranoid symptom complexes, as well as in overall functioning. ( Source: Milner G. Ascorbic acid in chronic psychiatric patients: a controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 1963;109:294- )

Dosage and Sources:

The standard dose for Vitamin-C is 500 mg per day. Persons suffering from anxiety or depression may require a dose of 1,000 mg to 5,000mg per day. Natural sources of Vitamin-C are  citrus fruits and other fruits.

References:

1. Hector M, Burton JR. What are the psychiatric manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency? J Am Geriatr Soc 1988;36:1105-12.
2. Geagea K, Ananth J. Response of a psychiatric patient to vitamin B12 therapy. Dis Nerv Syst 1975;35:343-4.
3. Daynes G. Cyanocobalamin in postpartum psychosis. S Afr Med J 1975;49:1373.
4. Cooper JR. The role of ascorbic acid in the oxidation of tryptophan to 5-hydroxytryptophan. Ann NY Acad Sci 1961;92:208-11.
5. Milner G. Ascorbic acid in chronic psychiatric patients: a controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 1963;109:294-9.

Last update:  January 16, 2009

Depression can be cause by malnutrition, heredity, hormones, seasons, stress, illness, neurotransmitter malfunction. Neutron transmitter defficieny or malfunction is c ommonly associated with depression. Serotonin levels are usually low in persons with depression. Serotonin is the brain chemical which makes us feel happy that is why it is called the “feel good” neurotransmitter. Studies also suggest that anxious and depressed individuals have over excited nerve cells or nerve cells that fires too much.  Over excited nerve cells result from low GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) activity. The low levels of neurotransmitter could be attributed to malnutrition, disease and genetics.

In malnutrition, the body is not receiving enough vitamins,  minerals and amino acids to support brain function. Vitamin-B is very important in the normal function of the brain and the nervous system.

Heredity significantly plays a role in depression. Your DNA predetermines your susceptibility for this disease. If you have a close relative that has a history of depression, then it is also likely that you or a close relative of yours could have depression.

Hormonal imbalance is another cause of depression. In females, hormonal balance is the ratio of progesterone and estrogen. High levels of estrogen or low levels of progesterone is linked to depression.

References:

1. http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/depresshor.html
2. http://wikipedia.ws/wikipedia/cl/3. Clinical_depression.html#Signs_and_symptoms
4. National Institute of Mental Health Retrieved September 3, 2008.
5.  Rosen JB, Schulkin J (1998). “From normal fear to pathological 6. anxiety”. Psychol Rev 105 (2): 325–50. PMID 9577241.
6. Zald, D.H.; Pardo, J.V. (1997). “Emotion, olfaction, and the human amygdala: amygdala activation during aversive olfactory stimulation”. Proc Nat’l Acad Sci (USA) 94 (8): 4119–24. doi:10.1073/pnas.94.8.4119. PMID 9108115.
7. Zald, D.H.; Hagen, M.C. & Pardo, J.V. (2002). “Neural correlates of tasting concentrated quinine and sugar solutions”. J. Neurophysiol 87 (2): 1068–75. PMID 11826070.

Last update:  January 16, 2009

Anxiety is a mood which is usually characterized by the feeling of uneasiness, apprehension, or worry. Usually, anxiety does noes not involve a stimulus or trigger. The person with anxiety would just worry or feel uneasy for no identifiable or illogical reasons.

Anxiety is distinguished from fear for the reason that the feeling of fear usually involves an identifiable trigger or a cause.  Anxiety on the hand is a result of threats which are perceived to be unavoidable or uncontrollable.

Anxiety also involves a number of physical symptoms which includes but are not limited to shortness of breath,  heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain,  stomach aches, or headaches.

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anxiety.html
http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/mlp/blanx.htm
http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/

Last Update:  January 16, 2007