Comments on: The Nine Best Natural Medicines for Depression http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/ Dr. Nicole Sundene, naturopathic physician, answers your alternative medicine health questions at the kitchen table! Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:08:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Ian http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2282 Ian Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:54:27 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2282 I like what you are saying. I'd also recommend gamma linolenic acid. I read a study that showed that altering PGE1 is helpful for unipolar depression. GLA also helps schizophrenia, but is contra-indicated for bipolar. The study in question found that in the manic phase of bipolar depression patients had a greatly elevated levels of GLA. Depressives had less than normals, and schizophrenics had less than depressives. I like what you are saying. I’d also recommend gamma linolenic acid. I read a study that showed that altering PGE1 is helpful for unipolar depression. GLA also helps schizophrenia, but is contra-indicated for bipolar. The study in question found that in the manic phase of bipolar depression patients had a greatly elevated levels of GLA. Depressives had less than normals, and schizophrenics had less than depressives.

]]> By: tom http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2095 tom Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:06:51 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2095 Hi Dr Nicole, I'm glad your list includes at least one amino-acid. Few such lists of "natural" treatments for depression include this. I've encountered a variety of physical and mental health issues over the last few years, most notably a combination of anxiety, mild depression, bipolar II/cyclothymia and inattentiveness. Having tried a variety of treatments, both conventional and natural, I finally seem to have largely overcome these problems in the past couple of months with a program of nutrients and supplements. The key feature of my treatment is a combination of amino acids, but it has a wide variety of other vitamins and nutrients to assist in the process. It was inspired by Allen Darmen of New York, who has successfully treated himself for bipolar, then his teenage son for bipolar and ADHD. His remarkable story is a worthwhile read. - http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Kgb7fcYwd6q.3mLsjmULpwU-?cq=1&p=235 I'm blogging about my own health journey at http://www.holstep.com. I'd be pleased to stay in touch; as a scientifically-minded, skeptical person, I find it very difficult to find good quality sources of info on physical and mental health that accommodate both conventional and natural treatments. In particular, I'm hoping to find people who might be able to apply more rigorous scientific scrutiny to this treatment so we may have more compelling evidence of its effectiveness than a handful of anecdotes. Best regards! Tom Hi Dr Nicole,

I’m glad your list includes at least one amino-acid. Few such lists of “natural” treatments for depression include this.

I’ve encountered a variety of physical and mental health issues over the last few years, most notably a combination of anxiety, mild depression, bipolar II/cyclothymia and inattentiveness. Having tried a variety of treatments, both conventional and natural, I finally seem to have largely overcome these problems in the past couple of months with a program of nutrients and supplements.

The key feature of my treatment is a combination of amino acids, but it has a wide variety of other vitamins and nutrients to assist in the process.

It was inspired by Allen Darmen of New York, who has successfully treated himself for bipolar, then his teenage son for bipolar and ADHD. His remarkable story is a worthwhile read. - http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Kgb7fcYwd6q.3mLsjmULpwU-?cq=1&p=235

I’m blogging about my own health journey at http://www.holstep.com.

I’d be pleased to stay in touch; as a scientifically-minded, skeptical person, I find it very difficult to find good quality sources of info on physical and mental health that accommodate both conventional and natural treatments. In particular, I’m hoping to find people who might be able to apply more rigorous scientific scrutiny to this treatment so we may have more compelling evidence of its effectiveness than a handful of anecdotes.

Best regards!
Tom

]]> By: ginkgo guy http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2088 ginkgo guy Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:56:17 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2088 If you think you're suffering from depression you should speak to a therapist or psychiatrist FIRST and then consider some of the herbs and remedies mentioned here. Discuss them with your doctor and they'll probably be able to recommend the best course of action for you. If prescription drugs can be avoided in favor of natural herbal remedies that have been around for thousands of years then the consumer should consider themself lucky. A well balanced diet and exercise are also tantamount in managing a disorder like depression. Avoiding unhealthy soft drinks in favor of more responsibly formulated ones (for example, check out http://drinkvivi.com) can also help. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also great - cooking for yourself can also be a great way to eat healthy and feel good about yourself. If you think you’re suffering from depression you should speak to a therapist or psychiatrist FIRST and then consider some of the herbs and remedies mentioned here. Discuss them with your doctor and they’ll probably be able to recommend the best course of action for you.

If prescription drugs can be avoided in favor of natural herbal remedies that have been around for thousands of years then the consumer should consider themself lucky.

A well balanced diet and exercise are also tantamount in managing a disorder like depression. Avoiding unhealthy soft drinks in favor of more responsibly formulated ones (for example, check out http://drinkvivi.com) can also help. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also great - cooking for yourself can also be a great way to eat healthy and feel good about yourself.

]]> By: MortalynFlux http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2083 MortalynFlux Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:55:58 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2083 Avocados block estrogen and regulate insulin levels. This is good for regulating moods. It also lowers cholesterol, which can lower blood pressure. Also, a balanced, nutritious diet with calorie deficiency will optimize your body, nervous system, and brain functioning. Aside from vitamin D, most people don't get enough vitamin A, K, C, and E. You can vitamin A and K from Kale, Broccoli, and Spinach. You can get vitamin C from grape juice and onions. You can get vitamin E from wheat germ oil. As far as the B vitamins, clams, oysters, and mollusks are a great source of B12 while being low-calorie. Brewer's Yest, Mushrooms, Lentils, and Quinoa are great sources of the other B vitamins while being low in calories and very healthy and good for you.. Avocados block estrogen and regulate insulin levels. This is good for regulating moods. It also lowers cholesterol, which can lower blood pressure. Also, a balanced, nutritious diet with calorie deficiency will optimize your body, nervous system, and brain functioning. Aside from vitamin D, most people don’t get enough vitamin A, K, C, and E. You can vitamin A and K from Kale, Broccoli, and Spinach. You can get vitamin C from grape juice and onions. You can get vitamin E from wheat germ oil. As far as the B vitamins, clams, oysters, and mollusks are a great source of B12 while being low-calorie. Brewer’s Yest, Mushrooms, Lentils, and Quinoa are great sources of the other B vitamins while being low in calories and very healthy and good for you..

]]> By: BlankVerse http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2074 BlankVerse Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:35:42 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2074 Be very careful with taking both 'natural' medicines and prescription medicines for depression. I experienced Serotonin Syndrome after taking both SAMe and Ginko Biloba, as well as the prescription drug Elevil. The Wikipedia article on Serotonin Syndrome says that it can also be experienced with St John's Wort, Yohimbe, and Boswellia, as well as a number of other drugs (both legal and illegal). Be very careful with taking both ‘natural’ medicines and prescription medicines for depression. I experienced Serotonin Syndrome after taking both SAMe and Ginko Biloba, as well as the prescription drug Elevil. The Wikipedia article on Serotonin Syndrome says that it can also be experienced with St John’s Wort, Yohimbe, and Boswellia, as well as a number of other drugs (both legal and illegal).

]]> By: pamelabaker http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2073 pamelabaker Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:36:43 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-2073 This is a wealth of information. I am not a doctor but this is a subject that I am passionate about. I love the fact that you have such an extensive list here. I am noticing that as in the case of medicines, some natural remedies seem to work better for some than for others. My nonprofessional guess is that it may have to do with blood type. The more remedies you know about the better, as it may be a bit of trial and error to find the combination that works. Thank you so much for this post! This is a wealth of information. I am not a doctor but this is a subject that I am passionate about.

I love the fact that you have such an extensive list here. I am noticing that as in the case of medicines, some natural remedies seem to work better for some than for others. My nonprofessional guess is that it may have to do with blood type. The more remedies you know about the better, as it may be a bit of trial and error to find the combination that works.

Thank you so much for this post!

]]> By: Jirel http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1228 Jirel Thu, 22 May 2008 13:19:48 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1228 Wow, I like this article very much and especially where it reads"I am frank about my depression because I see it as a disease just like any other disease, and I don’t see any reason to be ashamed of it. Nor do I want my readers to be ashamed of it." Being a almost winner over depression, I think most people who suffer from depression think that they should not tell other people about this illness and if they do so, others will reject them. Though there are thousands people suffering from depression, these people think that they are the only people who are suffering from depression and there is no one who likes them...means all others hate them. Wow, I like this article very much and especially where it reads”I am frank about my depression because I see it as a disease just like any other disease, and I don’t see any reason to be ashamed of it.

Nor do I want my readers to be ashamed of it.” Being a almost winner over depression, I think most people who suffer from depression think that they should not tell other people about this illness and if they do so, others will reject them. Though there are thousands people suffering from depression, these people think that they are the only people who are suffering from depression and there is no one who likes them…means all others hate them.

]]> By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1109 Dr. Nicole Fri, 16 May 2008 01:49:35 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1109 Hi Jennifer- I love that suggestions! I believe that good therapy involves more than just active listening...it needs to teach people coping skills to deal with life. "Training them to deal with life" is a much more positive way to phrase it. I can't wait to read your article I am sure it is great as is everything else you do over at your site! Hi Jennifer- I love that suggestions! I believe that good therapy involves more than just active listening…it needs to teach people coping skills to deal with life. “Training them to deal with life” is a much more positive way to phrase it. I can’t wait to read your article I am sure it is great as is everything else you do over at your site!

]]> By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1108 Dr. Nicole Fri, 16 May 2008 01:48:13 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1108 Hi Dr. KC- I agree completely that not all of these things will help everyone, just as not every anti-depressant works for an individual's biochemistry. As I mentioned in my comment to Scott, the more options we have available, the more likely we can come up with a beneficial treatment that will help people. I love what you are doing at http://docinthebiz.com and think it is a great way to offer alternatives to common psychotherapy practices. Keep up the great work! Hi Dr. KC- I agree completely that not all of these things will help everyone, just as not every anti-depressant works for an individual’s biochemistry.

As I mentioned in my comment to Scott, the more options we have available, the more likely we can come up with a beneficial treatment that will help people.

I love what you are doing at http://docinthebiz.com and think it is a great way to offer alternatives to common psychotherapy practices.

Keep up the great work!

]]> By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1107 Dr. Nicole Fri, 16 May 2008 01:46:08 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1107 Hi Benny! We always need a reason to smile! I agree :D Hi Benny! We always need a reason to smile! I agree :D

]]> By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1106 Dr. Nicole Fri, 16 May 2008 01:45:40 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1106 Hi Justin- I am hoping that at least here we can talk frankly about a lot of things since people are able to hide safely behind their computers and ask their burning questions! Take care :D Hi Justin- I am hoping that at least here we can talk frankly about a lot of things since people are able to hide safely behind their computers and ask their burning questions! Take care :D

]]> By: Dr. Nicole http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1105 Dr. Nicole Fri, 16 May 2008 01:43:59 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1105 Hi Scott- thanks for the compliment! Not every approach works for every person so the more possiblities we have available the more we can hopefully find some relief for people...especially those with less severe cases of depression that don't feel they want to be on prescription drugs. Thanks for stopping by! Hi Scott- thanks for the compliment! Not every approach works for every person so the more possiblities we have available the more we can hopefully find some relief for people…especially those with less severe cases of depression that don’t feel they want to be on prescription drugs. Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: Doc KC http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1069 Doc KC Wed, 14 May 2008 02:41:33 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1069 This article is amazing! Not only is it FULL of pertinent information on many natural treatments for depression, but it truly illustrates what kind of person Doc Nicole is. To share her true life experiences with her readers shows her incredible authenticity and true desire to help others! All advice and/or suggestions given are things that she has seen to be proven successful. That doesn’t mean that everything said will work for everyone, but it certainly is worth giving some a chance! I have personally seen in my face to face practice and through clients I have helped at www.DOCintheBiz.com, many people who just could not handle the side effects of anti depressant medications. I am thrilled to recommend this article for them to read. Some of these naturopathic remedies would be terrific alternatives. We all do what works for us. And it’s important to remember that if one thing doesn’t work, please don’t give up, but try another. You don’t have to suffer. And you don’t have to suffer alone! Doc KC www.DOCintheBiz.com This article is amazing! Not only is it FULL of pertinent information on many natural treatments for depression, but it truly illustrates what kind of person Doc Nicole is. To share her true life experiences with her readers shows her incredible authenticity and true desire to help others!

All advice and/or suggestions given are things that she has seen to be proven successful. That doesn’t mean that everything said will work for everyone, but it certainly is worth giving some a chance!

I have personally seen in my face to face practice and through clients I have helped at www.DOCintheBiz.com, many people who just could not handle the side effects of anti depressant medications. I am thrilled to recommend this article for them to read. Some of these naturopathic remedies would be terrific alternatives. We all do what works for us. And it’s important to remember that if one thing doesn’t work, please don’t give up, but try another. You don’t have to suffer. And you don’t have to suffer alone!

Doc KC
www.DOCintheBiz.com

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1061 Jennifer Tue, 13 May 2008 19:14:00 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1061 Dr. Nicole. Great article!! I'm glad you are sharing your expereince. I think it gives you more credibility since you have gone trhough it yourself. So thank you for sharing. I have been wanting to learn more about natural foods and such that can help with depression. Thanks for the link. This is the best post on my site for this information: http://principlesforpeace.com/?p=37. I encourage EVERYONE to read it. This post links to a fabulous article that explains so much about depression. It's all a must read for anyone suffering from depression. "Addressing the root cause of your depression with therapy is fundamental to any treatment plan, whether prescription or alternative. If counseling “did not work”. Find a new counselor with a different approach or technique. " - The program I am with works because it does address the root cause. It is not counseling. It is training - People use the information every day for the rest of their life. Dr. Nicole. Great article!! I’m glad you are sharing your expereince. I think it gives you more credibility since you have gone trhough it yourself. So thank you for sharing. I have been wanting to learn more about natural foods and such that can help with depression.

Thanks for the link. This is the best post on my site for this information: http://principlesforpeace.com/?p=37. I encourage EVERYONE to read it. This post links to a fabulous article that explains so much about depression. It’s all a must read for anyone suffering from depression.

“Addressing the root cause of your depression with therapy is fundamental to any treatment plan, whether prescription or alternative. If counseling “did not work”. Find a new counselor with a different approach or technique. ”
- The program I am with works because it does address the root cause. It is not counseling. It is training - People use the information every day for the rest of their life.

]]> By: Benny Greenberg http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1058 Benny Greenberg Tue, 13 May 2008 13:32:01 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1058 This is just so full of information it is incredible. I actually printed this out so I could read it at lunch. Thanks Nicole - Simply Amazing! BTW: One of my great anti-depressers... Smile! Keeping a smile with me all the time - and trying my hardest to make others smile! Benny This is just so full of information it is incredible. I actually printed this out so I could read it at lunch. Thanks Nicole - Simply Amazing!

BTW: One of my great anti-depressers… Smile! Keeping a smile with me all the time - and trying my hardest to make others smile!

Benny

]]> By: Justin http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1057 Justin Tue, 13 May 2008 09:09:38 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1057 Interesting suggestions Doc! I am still being fed Prozac and waiting for CBT. I'm really pleased that you are able to talk frankly about depression - I can share it with you and your readers but could never tell my colleagues! Interesting suggestions Doc! I am still being fed Prozac and waiting for CBT.
I’m really pleased that you are able to talk frankly about depression - I can share it with you and your readers but could never tell my colleagues!

]]> By: Scott Becker http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1053 Scott Becker Tue, 13 May 2008 06:05:47 +0000 http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/the-nine-best-natural-remedies-for-depression/#comment-1053 All I can say is fantastic information - you really hit the nail right on the head and give great alternatives to main stream medication and therapy. Thanks! All I can say is fantastic information - you really hit the nail right on the head and give great alternatives to main stream medication and therapy. Thanks!

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