Natural treatments for Depression

 

There is a progressive increase in people suffering from depression and an accompanying growth of prescription drugs to treat the disorder. In the smartphone health app Apple A Day RX, S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is indicated as a possible treatment for some forms of depression. It goes without saying, that there is still a requirement for the continued development of anti-depression drugs that are better tolerated and have minimal side effects. One promising candidate is S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), which is a naturally occurring molecule.

SAMe is found throughout the human body, and in high concentrations in the liver, adrenal glands, and pineal gland. SAMe also appears to be uniformly distributed in the brain, where it acts as the major donor of methyl groups required in the synthesis of neuronal messengers and membranes.

A 2010 complementary medicine research paper published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, revealed that SAMe, at a dose of 800 mg/twice daily, can be an effective, well-tolerated, and safe adjunctive treatment strategy for SRI nonresponders with major depressive disorder.

Possible mechanisms of actions of SAMe include:

• influencing the turnover of dopamine and serotonin
• crossing the blood brain barrier making it efficacious
• increasing monoamine synthesis
• effecting brain neurotrophic activity, inflammatory cytokines, cell membrane fluidity, and bioenergetics

Further large scale clinical trials are required to determine it efficacy of SAMe in the treatment of major depressive disorders. The possibility arises that SAMe could be an important Integrative Medicine resource for treating depression, it can be strategically used along with Complementary and Alternative Medicine(CAM) therapies such as Acupuncture, CBT, Kinesiology, Homeopathy and Lifeline Technique to name but a few.

Meditation and relaxation training

Mindfulness meditation as daily lifestyle advice has grown in popularity over recent years as we seek solutions to combat the stresses of modern day living. However, by its very nature mindfulness meditation can be an important Complementary and Alternative (CAM) intervention in the treatment of mild ADHD.

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to improve behavioural and neurocognitive impairments in adolescents and adults with ADHD. A complementary medicine research study in 2008 study by Zylowska et al showed that 8-week mindfulness meditation program resulted in:

• Pre-post improvements in self-reported ADHD symptoms
• Improvements in symptoms of anxiety and depressive

Although this was a small scale study the science behind mindfulness meditation makes this a viable integrative healthcare solution for the treatment of mild ADHD.

Integrative healthcare solution for Sciatica

Sciatica is basically the experience of sharp and shooting pain through the gluteus and down the leg. Sciatica occurs when there is an impingement of the sciatic nerve which is compressed by the discs of the lumbar spine.

While there are numerous causes of sciatica, the most common are:

• lumbar bulging disc
• spine degeneration
• facet joint injuries
• piriformis syndrome
• spinal stenosis
• spondylolisthesis
• sacroiliac dysfunction

It is important to manage the pain and manage the inflammation.

Conventional therapeutic protocols include physiotherapy guided exercises such as McKenzie extensions and core strengthening exercises. However, the inclusion of integrative healthcare solution such as Remedial Massage Therapy can dramatically improve clinical outcomes.

An experienced Remedial Massage practitioner has a range of techniques at their disposal such as:

• PNF Stretching
• Soft –tissue release
• Myofascial release
• Muscle Energy technique

If the problem still persists and /or becomes severe then consultation with a GP for anti-inflammatory medication for pain management or a CT-guided periradicular nerve root injection is highly recommended.

Continuum of care should still include the aforementioned complementary therapies and also consider the incorporation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Therapies such as Yoga (similar to MET principle), Bowen treatment and Acupuncture to resolve the issue.

Low–fat diet not advisable for long-term weight loss

Low fat diets have been advocated as natural weight loss solution for many years, but up till now the research has been inconclusive.

However, a recent systematic review published in Lancet (Tobias et al in 2015)  compared the long-term effect of low-fat and higher-fat dietary interventions on weight loss was. 

This meta-analysis concluded that low -fat diets are no better than low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean diets of similar intensity when it comes to weight loss sustained for at least a year. Furthermore, a  review of 68,000 patients found low-carb diets led to a significantly greater weight loss, a difference of just over a kilo, compared with low-fat diets.

The data clearly shows that there is no strong evidence that demonstrated that low-fat diets are not favourable for long-term weight loss. Complementary and Alternative Medicine systems like Ayurveda have stated this advice for thousands of years and provided lifestyle advice according to the individual’s biotype.

Hope for Tinnitus sufferers

What are the best quality vitamin and supplements for Tinnitus?

Evidenced-based medicine points to several candidates;

Pycnogeol - may improve blood flow to the inner ear and reduce symptoms

Melatonin - reduce symptoms in some studies

Ginkgo biloba and CoQ10 – sometimes prescribed, but there is little research evidence

Lipo- flavonoid – little research evidence

Vitamin B-12 and Zinc – low levels found in patients with tinnitus


Unfortunately the mechanism of Tinnitus is not fully understood, but lifestyle advices are also important in the treatment of this symptom of ringing in the ears.

• Avoid exposure to loud noise
• Medications e.g. arthritis, depression, anti-histamines etc, so ask your doctor for alternatives
• Avoid excess caffeine, alcohol and quinine in tonic water
• Stress and fatigue

Whilst there might be no one single recommendation, an Integrative healthcare solution of a recommended supplement in addition to  evidenced-based  Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapy such as Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Craniosacral therapy, Biofeedback, Indian Neurotherapy, Homeopathy to name but a few.

Benefits of Perinatal yoga

Statistics show 20% of women are affected by perinatal major depressive disorders and 10% of women are affected by perinatal anxiety. Despite the availability of effective pharmacological treatment, pregnant women have concerns regarding the side effects of pharmaceuticals. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is used by approximately 40% of the American adult population.

Perinatal yoga is traditional yoga therapy that has been specifically designed for women during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Proponents of perinatal yoga state that this therapy:

• Improves sleep
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth
• Decrease lower back pain and shortness of breath
• Decrease the risk of preterm labour and other complications at birth.

Is there any scientific proof for the benefits of Perinatal yoga?

Sheffield et al 2015 conducted a systemic literature review on the use of perinatal yoga on a woman’s mental health and well being.

The methodology consisted of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), 4 major databases were reviewed to yield a total of 13 hits. Following the review of the 13 studies, results suggested the use of yoga was effective in reducing anxiety and depression in pregnant women.

The complementary medicine research review concluded that perinatal yoga may be a useful Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapy and potentially offers women and their providers functional alternatives to pharmaceutical medication for treatment of perinatal depression and anxiety which are common women’s health issues in pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Alternative to Fish oil

Fish oil is one of the best supplements that are often prescribed by CAM practitioners. Omega-3 fatty acids possess highly beneficial effects for modulating risk of prevalent diseases.

But what are the alternatives for people who are allergic to fish oil, or suffer from ‘fish burps’ or do not like the ‘after taste’ of fish oil.

Alternatives to consider include the plant-based:

• Flaxseed oil
• Evening Primrose oil
• Borage oil
• Black Currant oil
• Chia seeds
• Algal oils

Due to the decline in fish species and number and the risk of ocean –borne contaminants, alternative sources of these fatty acids are required. Plant oils contain low amounts of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Algae are in abundance in the oceans’ ecosystems and thus algal oil may be the better alternative. When CAM practitioners seek integrative medicine resources such as vitamins, herbs and other supplements, they should also consider environmental sustainability and act accordingly.