Depressed by Antidepressants

[Guest guest]

Thank you Lea! . . . I'm copying this to a message so

it stays in the archives.

From the Baseline in Health Newletter -

July 18, 2005

Dear Readers:

A quick reminder that this month's TWO bottles of

Jon's remarkable pain relief oil, free. Keep in mind

it ends July 31st.

And now the newsletter. In this issue's essay, Jon has

some revealing comments on the recent FDA announcement

concerning antidepressants.

Depressed by Antidepressants

Jon Barron

At the same time Tom Cruise was fighting with Matt

Lauer on NBC concerning the value of psychiatrists and

antidepressants, the FDA was quietly issuing a

labeling directive that supported at least part of

Tom's position. (It will be interesting to see if Matt

Lauer ever mentions it.)

In fact, the FDA has finally recognized the hazardous

effects of antidepressants and has recommended

manufacturers of every kind of drug -- from Paxil to

Prozac to Zoloft -- add warning labels on their

products. The new warning label in packaging will

read:

" Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal

thinking and behavior (suicidality) in short-term

studies in children and adolescents with Major

Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric

disorders. Anyone considering the use of [insert

established name] or any other antidepressant in a

child or adolescent must balance this risk with the

clinical need. Patients who are started on therapy

should be observed closely for clinical worsening,

suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. "

This is major news -- we all know how difficult it is

to force most pharmaceutical companies to add any

additional warnings on their products. The FDA should

be congratulated for finally taking this step.

However, one might ask why they didn’t act 10 years

ago when the evidence was just as compelling. How many

have needlessly died over the last 10 years because

the FDA, and in fact the governmental agencies of most

countries, failed to buck the pressure applied by the

pharmaceutical companies to downplay the risks

associated with antidepressants.

The topic of antidepressants is particularly important

in terms of overall public safety because the violent

side-effects caused by some of these drugs impacts

more than just those on the drugs. An example is when

you have children on antidepressants killing teachers

at school and/or their own family members. Although

this obviously does not occur in all cases, and it

does not suggest that anyone on an antidepressant will

kill their loved ones, there are nevertheless enough

cases to cause concern, especially with children.

Let’s look at the studies that led the FDA to take

action.

The new warnings were the result of several

placebo-controlled studies that involved 9

antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and others) in children

and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD),

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other

psychiatric disorders (a total of 24 trials involving

over 4400 patients). As a side note, SSRIs are

" selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, " a specific

type of antidepressant that pharmaceutical companies

have developed to " manage the symptoms " associated

with stress and depression. You might know them as

Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Effexor and

Serzone.

The combined results gave conclusive evidence that

patients on antidepressants were at greater risk of

suicidal thinking or behavior (suicidality) during the

first few months of treatment than those on the

placebo. In fact, the risk of suicidal behavior when

taking the drugs was double compared to a placebo!

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. What the FDA

pointedly avoided studying was the well documented

relationship between the use of antidepressants and

violence toward " others. " The following is just a

sampling of some of the more " infamous " stories you

might recognize:

July 2004 -- Emiri Padron was on Zoloft when she

smothered her 10-month-old daughter with a stuffed

animal and then stabbed herself.

April 1999 -- , while on Luvox, an SSRI,

masterminded the killing of 12 students and a teacher

in Columbine. He and his partner then shot themselves.

June 1998 –Brynn Hartmann, the actor Phil Hartmann's

wife, was on Zoloft when she shot her husband and

committed suicide.

May 1998 -- Kip Kinkle, age 15 living in Oregon, was

taking Prozac when he killed four people, including

his own parents, and wounded 22 more.

March 1998 -- Beck went on a bloody rampage at

his office, the Connecticut Lottery Corp.

headquarters, killing four senior lottery officials

before committing suicide. He was on 2

antidepressants, including Luvox.

Oct 1997 -- Luke Woodham was also on an SSRI, when he

killed three people, including his mother, and wounded

six others.

These horrifying stories are only a fraction of the

incidents reported monthly. Supporting evidence shows

a trend. One study showed that antidepressants cause

mania and delusions of grandeur in one out of every 25

children taking these drugs. Even more shocking, in

70% of all murder/suicides involving women and

children, the women were on SSRIs. And keep in mind,

those drugs are supposed to " enhance " mood! (I guess

it all depends on what your definition of enhance is.)

With many children under the age of 3 already on

Prozac, we may have only seen the barest hint of where

this problem is truly headed. Oh yes, and now you can

even buy special kid-friendly " flavored "

antidepressants. " What a world! What a world! "

To be objective, antidepressants are important for

some people in special cases such as those diagnosed

with severe schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other

severe mental disorders -- or those who refuse to take

any other steps to correct their problems. These

mental illnesses are so debilitating that the risks

associated with the drugs may be worth it. But for the

majority of us who suffer from the typical daily

disappointments in our lives, short periods of

depression are common and can usually be eliminated

through various remedies with minimal side effects. At

least, we should think twice before we simply pop a

pill. To brag that we are a " Prozac Nation " is not

only sad; it's dangerous.

Why do we get depressed in the first place?

Depression is the body’s way of forcing us to

recognize that something is wrong. For a simplified

explanation, if you set your hand on a hot burner, it

burns the skin and sends painful signals to the brain,

reminding us to remove our hand. Similarly, when we

suffer a deeply emotional trauma or situation, the

brain tells us to fix the problem and sends your brain

" alerts " through a series of emotion reactions, one

being depression. If the alerts continue, one can fall

deeper into a depressed state until action is taken to

prevent further emotional trauma.

It seems, however, that today's psychiatric community

is too " impatient " to encourage us to go through this

process naturally. According to health experts, they

now define " major depression " as someone having " the

blues " for more than two weeks. Right!! If anyone has

had a death in the family, a major illness, a

mid-sized financial set-back, or an emotional break-up

-- which includes the entire population -- then

according to health experts, all of us should be on

antidepressant drugs at some point in our lives.

(Geez, that should be good for sales.) The bottom line

is that getting over a major life-altering situation

in just two weeks is the exception rather than the

rule.

Hey, if any of you are on antidepressants, or were at

some time, it's not hard to understand why. Doctors

and the mass media scare us with their statements such

as " depression is associated with abnormal functioning

of the brain. " We are then bombarded with all the

details about the deficient neurotransmitters in the

brain and our dysfunctional synaptic cleft. Ahh!

" Sounds like brain damage. Sure, give me some

pills…quickly! " Wait a minute. They forgot to explain

that we still have no conclusive evidence as to why

people have the chemical imbalances in the first

place. Did our brain just suddenly change or were

there outside circumstances that caused it? Did our

thoughts, reactions, and emotions cause the imbalance?

Were nutritional factors involved? Did we suddenly

experience a major hormonal change such as PMS or Post

Partum Depression? If so, nine times out of ten there

are other remedies available besides drugs -- remedies

that do not share the devastating side effects

associated with those drugs.

Instead of automatically popping a pill when we are

sad, perhaps we should find ways to correct the

underlying problem in our bodies so it can heal

itself. It may take a true leap of faith, especially

when the mind wants to focus on the negative, but the

success after the fight of making ourselves content

might be worth it. As some say, being happy is a

choice! The more you work at it, the better you get.

I want to reiterate that this does not mean we should

look at any problem as insignificant or that ignoring

a feeling of sadness, confusion, exhaustion, or lack

of interest in daily activities is going to make the

feelings go away. Actually, ignoring depression could

simply exacerbate the problem. An emotional injury is

like a physical injury: it takes time and attention to

heal. A walk on the beach, a laugh with a friend, or

simply taking a deep breath can go a long way. We can

also follow certain, more natural remedies to help our

bodies heal. These include dietary modifications,

daily exercise, supportive treatment with vitamins and

minerals, and selective supplementation.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapy

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause depression

and correcting these deficiencies is often a safe,

fast, and inexpensive way to relieving depression.

Note: alcohol, smoking, stress, and excess sugar

accelerate the depletion of many key antidepressive

vitamins and minerals from the body, as does

depression itself. Isn't that a kick in the head:

depression begets depression? Deficiencies in any of

the following vitamins and minerals can contribute

significantly to depression:

Vitamin B6

Folic acid

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C

Magnesium

Calcium

Trace minerals

Amino Acids

Supplementing with amino acids is also a way to help

relieve depression. These include:

SAMe. S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe) is a naturally

occurring amino acid found in every cell of the body.

It has a wide range of benefits including protecting

the liver and cardiovascular system. In addition, it

has antidepressant action equal to and faster than

FDA-approved drugs, and is essential for the synthesis

of melatonin. It also assists with sleep disorders,

particularly those which are induced by the side

effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

Phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is

used by the body to make the neurotransmitter

(chemical messenger) norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is

believed to be in short supply in the brains of people

who are depressed. There is some evidence that taking

in extra phenylalanine allows the brain to make more

norepinephrine. There are several studies that

indicate that phenylalanine may work as well as

antidepressant drugs. Although the studies are

inconclusive, the anecdotal evidence is strong, and

there are virtually no known side effects, so it’s

worth trying.

Theanine. Anxiety is a close cousin to depression, and

the two often go hand in hand. Many people report that

L-theanine works as well as prescription anti-anxiety

medications, but L-theanine is not addictive or

habit-forming.

5-HTP. 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid

that occurs naturally in the body and is the final

step in the production of the neurotransmitter

serotonin. 5-HTP is special in that it can cross the

blood brain barrier. It is extracted from the seeds of

Griffonia simplicifolia, an African tree that is grown

mostly in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The extraction

process uses alcohol and produces an oily solid. The

oily extract is then purified into a dry solid. 5-HTP

can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The

final product is the same as the one made by the body.

5-HTP has gained huge popularity in the treatment of

insomnia, depression and obesity (among other uses).

Today, 5-hydroxytrptophan is considered a safe and

effective treatment for these conditions.

Herbal Remedies

For the vast majority of people bothered by stress or

depression, a well designed herbal formula made from

high quality herbs can prove remarkably effective.

Look for an herbal formula that contains herbs such

as:

St. 's wort (Hypericum perforatum) as a

standardized extract and is licensed in Germany and

other European countries as a treatment for mild to

moderate depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.

Sometimes called " Nature's Prozac, " St. 's wort

helps relieve stress, anxiety, and tension. In

Germany, it is the most popular antidepressant,

outselling Prozac 3-1.

More than 20 clinical studies have been completed

using several different St. 's wort extracts. Most

have shown antidepressant action equal to standard

prescription antidepressant drugs, without the side

effects. St. ’s Wart is now being studied in the

first U.S. government-sanctioned clinical trial, a

three-year study sponsored by the Center for

Complementary and Alternative Medicine, based in

Washington, D.C.

Probably the greatest testament to its efficacy is how

it has been attacked in the press as " dangerous. " The

case against it is that it seems to heighten the

dangers associated with MAO1 inhibitors, if you are

currently using such drugs. But this is a marvelous

piece of propaganda double-speak that transfers the

danger from the antidepressants, where they belong, to

St. 's wort, which merely brings those dangers to

the fore. Orwell would be proud!

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) extract is currently being used

as an alternative for elderly patients with depression

resistance to standard drug therapy. This is because

depression is often an early sign of cognitive decline

and cerebrovascular insufficiency in elderly patients.

In one study, 40 patients, ages 51 to 78, with a

diagnosis of resistant depression, were randomized to

receive either Ginkgo biloba extract or placebo for

eight weeks. Patients in the ginkgo group received 80

mg of the extract three times daily. During the study,

patients remained on their antidepressant drugs. In

patients treated with ginkgo, there was a decline in

the median Hamilton Depression Scale scores from 14 to

7 after four weeks. This score further reduced to 4.5

after eight weeks. There was a one-point reduction in

the placebo group after eight weeks. In addition to

the significant improvement in symptoms of depression

for the ginkgo group, there was also a noted

improvement in overall cognitive function. No side

effects were reported.

Valerian root. For centuries, Valerian has been used

to treat nervous tension and panic attacks. A

wonderful herb, Valerian is calming and quieting to

the nervous system.

Kava kava is the herb of choice to relax the body,

relieve stress, to combat mild to moderate anxiety,

and for relief from headache and back pain. Kava is

now recognized by many doctors as an alternative to

drugs like Xanax and Valium. (And, as might be

expected for something that works so well, Kava kava

is under

Progesterone

This is particularly important since women experience

clinical depression twice as often as men. Over the

years I have been recommending progesterone crème to

women, it has picked up the nickname from many of

them: " The Happy Crème. " Any time progesterone levels

drop such as during the monthly cycle, immediately

after giving birth, or all the time if you are in a

state of estrogen dominance, depression is a likely

result. Using a good progesterone crème can provide an

almost instant turnaround in attitude.

And while we're on the subject, let's talk about post

partum depression. It's real. During the weeks leading

up to birth, progesterone levels have soared to levels

10-20 times normal. No wonder women seem to glow

during pregnancy. But immediately after birth,

progesterone levels plunge to almost zero. No wonder

so many women experience extreme, even psychotic

levels of depression. Simple supplementation with

progesterone crème will resolve the depression over

90% of the time. In fact, any doctor who recommends

antidepressants for post partum depression without

trying progesterone crème first, should be named as an

unindicted co-conspirator since they truly share the

blame for any psychotic incidents that may result.

Testosterone

A growing body of evidence suggests that testosterone

levels drop as much as 40% in men between their early

40s and early 70s. And for 10 to 15 percent of all

men, those levels will dip below normal even as early

as their 30s if there is stress, depression, personal

life changes or medications. This in turn causes a

decrease, not only in sexual desire and performance,

but also in the competitive drive to succeed and

accomplish in life -- which is frequently experienced

as depression. In women, excessive estrogen in the

body causes a reduction in testosterone levels, which

leads to a similar decline in sexual desire and

performance and a similar reduction in " life drive. "

Again, frequently experienced as depression.

In conclusion, depression can be common, but should

not be taken lightly. A good, healthy program of daily

exercise (which stimulates endorphins), low sugar

foods, replacing depleted vitamins and minerals, and

proper supplementation can go a long way to helping us

feel better. And, it is not a bad idea to tell friends

and family who have kids on antidepressants that

simple dietary changes and supplementation may be all

that's needed. Lastly, the mind is a powerful tool,

and for those who are going through hard times, and if

you haven't already done so, you might want to read

Chapter 15 of Lessons from the Miracle Doctors (you

can download a free copy at

www.baselinenutritionals.com

Please note. Despite claims to the contrary on the

internet, Jon Barron is not associated with Healing

America and does not oversee their formulas or their

ingredient sourcing, and no longer licenses the use of

the Barron Effect in the processing of their herbal

tinctures.

For those of you who have already written reviews for

Jon Barron's Lessons from the Miracle Doctors on the

Amazon.com website, thanks for your support. For the

rest of you, feel free to log on and write a review.

Every good review helps. Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

Barron

Baseline of Health Foundation

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The information provided in this newsletter is for

informational purposes only and is not intended as a

substitute for advice from your physician or other

health care professional or any information contained

on or in any product label or packaging. You should

not use the information in this newsletter for

diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for

prescription of any medication or other treatment. You

should consult with a healthcare professional before

starting any diet, exercise or supplementation

program, before taking any medication, or if you have

or suspect you might have a health problem. You should

not stop taking any medication without first

consulting your physician .

[Guest guest]

Lea - thank you for the article - I saved it for future reference.

I do tend to feel depressed alot - especially certain times of day.

I used to take Lexapro, but gained weight on it and (painfully)

withdrew and stopped. After I got through the withdrawal I just

couldn't believe the first time I had the urge to cry - it actually

felt good to have emotion again - of any kind. Thanks again

Cherie

>

> Thank you Lea! . . . I'm copying this to a message so

> it stays in the archives.

>

> From the Baseline in Health Newletter -

>

> July 18, 2005

>

> Dear Readers:

> A quick reminder that this month's TWO bottles of

> Jon's remarkable pain relief oil, free. Keep in mind

> it ends July 31st.

>

> And now the newsletter. In this issue's essay, Jon has

> some revealing comments on the recent FDA announcement

> concerning antidepressants.

>

> Depressed by Antidepressants

>

> Jon Barron

>

> At the same time Tom Cruise was fighting with Matt

> Lauer on NBC concerning the value of psychiatrists and

> antidepressants, the FDA was quietly issuing a

> labeling directive that supported at least part of

> Tom's position. (It will be interesting to see if Matt

> Lauer ever mentions it.)

>

> In fact, the FDA has finally recognized the hazardous

> effects of antidepressants and has recommended

> manufacturers of every kind of drug -- from Paxil to

> Prozac to Zoloft -- add warning labels on their

> products. The new warning label in packaging will

> read:

>

> " Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal

> thinking and behavior (suicidality) in short-term

> studies in children and adolescents with Major

> Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric

> disorders. Anyone considering the use of [insert

> established name] or any other antidepressant in a

> child or adolescent must balance this risk with the

> clinical need. Patients who are started on therapy

> should be observed closely for clinical worsening,

> suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. "

>

> This is major news -- we all know how difficult it is

> to force most pharmaceutical companies to add any

> additional warnings on their products. The FDA should

> be congratulated for finally taking this step.

> However, one might ask why they didn't act 10 years

> ago when the evidence was just as compelling. How many

> have needlessly died over the last 10 years because

> the FDA, and in fact the governmental agencies of most

> countries, failed to buck the pressure applied by the

> pharmaceutical companies to downplay the risks

> associated with antidepressants.

>

> The topic of antidepressants is particularly important

> in terms of overall public safety because the violent

> side-effects caused by some of these drugs impacts

> more than just those on the drugs. An example is when

> you have children on antidepressants killing teachers

> at school and/or their own family members. Although

> this obviously does not occur in all cases, and it

> does not suggest that anyone on an antidepressant will

> kill their loved ones, there are nevertheless enough

> cases to cause concern, especially with children.

>

> Let's look at the studies that led the FDA to take

> action.

> The new warnings were the result of several

> placebo-controlled studies that involved 9

> antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and others) in children

> and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD),

> obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other

> psychiatric disorders (a total of 24 trials involving

> over 4400 patients). As a side note, SSRIs are

> " selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, " a specific

> type of antidepressant that pharmaceutical companies

> have developed to " manage the symptoms " associated

> with stress and depression. You might know them as

> Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Effexor and

> Serzone.

>

> The combined results gave conclusive evidence that

> patients on antidepressants were at greater risk of

> suicidal thinking or behavior (suicidality) during the

> first few months of treatment than those on the

> placebo. In fact, the risk of suicidal behavior when

> taking the drugs was double compared to a placebo!

>

> But that's just the tip of the iceberg. What the FDA

> pointedly avoided studying was the well documented

> relationship between the use of antidepressants and

> violence toward " others. " The following is just a

> sampling of some of the more " infamous " stories you

> might recognize:

>

> July 2004 -- Emiri Padron was on Zoloft when she

> smothered her 10-month-old daughter with a stuffed

> animal and then stabbed herself.

> April 1999 -- , while on Luvox, an SSRI,

> masterminded the killing of 12 students and a teacher

> in Columbine. He and his partner then shot themselves.

>

>

> June 1998 –Brynn Hartmann, the actor Phil Hartmann's

> wife, was on Zoloft when she shot her husband and

> committed suicide.

>

> May 1998 -- Kip Kinkle, age 15 living in Oregon, was

> taking Prozac when he killed four people, including

> his own parents, and wounded 22 more.

>

> March 1998 -- Beck went on a bloody rampage at

> his office, the Connecticut Lottery Corp.

> headquarters, killing four senior lottery officials

> before committing suicide. He was on 2

> antidepressants, including Luvox.

>

> Oct 1997 -- Luke Woodham was also on an SSRI, when he

> killed three people, including his mother, and wounded

> six others.

>

> These horrifying stories are only a fraction of the

> incidents reported monthly. Supporting evidence shows

> a trend. One study showed that antidepressants cause

> mania and delusions of grandeur in one out of every 25

> children taking these drugs. Even more shocking, in

> 70% of all murder/suicides involving women and

> children, the women were on SSRIs. And keep in mind,

> those drugs are supposed to " enhance " mood! (I guess

> it all depends on what your definition of enhance is.)

> With many children under the age of 3 already on

> Prozac, we may have only seen the barest hint of where

> this problem is truly headed. Oh yes, and now you can

> even buy special kid-friendly " flavored "

> antidepressants. " What a world! What a world! "

>

> To be objective, antidepressants are important for

> some people in special cases such as those diagnosed

> with severe schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other

> severe mental disorders -- or those who refuse to take

> any other steps to correct their problems. These

> mental illnesses are so debilitating that the risks

> associated with the drugs may be worth it. But for the

> majority of us who suffer from the typical daily

> disappointments in our lives, short periods of

> depression are common and can usually be eliminated

> through various remedies with minimal side effects. At

> least, we should think twice before we simply pop a

> pill. To brag that we are a " Prozac Nation " is not

> only sad; it's dangerous.

>

> Why do we get depressed in the first place?

> Depression is the body's way of forcing us to

> recognize that something is wrong. For a simplified

> explanation, if you set your hand on a hot burner, it

> burns the skin and sends painful signals to the brain,

> reminding us to remove our hand. Similarly, when we

> suffer a deeply emotional trauma or situation, the

> brain tells us to fix the problem and sends your brain

> " alerts " through a series of emotion reactions, one

> being depression. If the alerts continue, one can fall

> deeper into a depressed state until action is taken to

> prevent further emotional trauma.

>

> It seems, however, that today's psychiatric community

> is too " impatient " to encourage us to go through this

> process naturally. According to health experts, they

> now define " major depression " as someone having " the

> blues " for more than two weeks. Right!! If anyone has

> had a death in the family, a major illness, a

> mid-sized financial set-back, or an emotional break-up

> -- which includes the entire population -- then

> according to health experts, all of us should be on

> antidepressant drugs at some point in our lives.

> (Geez, that should be good for sales.) The bottom line

> is that getting over a major life-altering situation

> in just two weeks is the exception rather than the

> rule.

>

> Hey, if any of you are on antidepressants, or were at

> some time, it's not hard to understand why. Doctors

> and the mass media scare us with their statements such

> as " depression is associated with abnormal functioning

> of the brain. " We are then bombarded with all the

> details about the deficient neurotransmitters in the

> brain and our dysfunctional synaptic cleft. Ahh!

> " Sounds like brain damage. Sure, give me some

> pills…quickly! " Wait a minute. They forgot to explain

> that we still have no conclusive evidence as to why

> people have the chemical imbalances in the first

> place. Did our brain just suddenly change or were

> there outside circumstances that caused it? Did our

> thoughts, reactions, and emotions cause the imbalance?

> Were nutritional factors involved? Did we suddenly

> experience a major hormonal change such as PMS or Post

> Partum Depression? If so, nine times out of ten there

> are other remedies available besides drugs -- remedies

> that do not share the devastating side effects

> associated with those drugs.

>

> Instead of automatically popping a pill when we are

> sad, perhaps we should find ways to correct the

> underlying problem in our bodies so it can heal

> itself. It may take a true leap of faith, especially

> when the mind wants to focus on the negative, but the

> success after the fight of making ourselves content

> might be worth it. As some say, being happy is a

> choice! The more you work at it, the better you get.

>

> I want to reiterate that this does not mean we should

> look at any problem as insignificant or that ignoring

> a feeling of sadness, confusion, exhaustion, or lack

> of interest in daily activities is going to make the

> feelings go away. Actually, ignoring depression could

> simply exacerbate the problem. An emotional injury is

> like a physical injury: it takes time and attention to

> heal. A walk on the beach, a laugh with a friend, or

> simply taking a deep breath can go a long way. We can

> also follow certain, more natural remedies to help our

> bodies heal. These include dietary modifications,

> daily exercise, supportive treatment with vitamins and

> minerals, and selective supplementation.

>

> Vitamin and Mineral Therapy

> Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause depression

> and correcting these deficiencies is often a safe,

> fast, and inexpensive way to relieving depression.

> Note: alcohol, smoking, stress, and excess sugar

> accelerate the depletion of many key antidepressive

> vitamins and minerals from the body, as does

> depression itself. Isn't that a kick in the head:

> depression begets depression? Deficiencies in any of

> the following vitamins and minerals can contribute

> significantly to depression:

>

> Vitamin B6

> Folic acid

> Vitamin B12

> Vitamin C

> Magnesium

> Calcium

> Trace minerals

> Amino Acids

> Supplementing with amino acids is also a way to help

> relieve depression. These include:

>

> SAMe. S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe) is a naturally

> occurring amino acid found in every cell of the body.

> It has a wide range of benefits including protecting

> the liver and cardiovascular system. In addition, it

> has antidepressant action equal to and faster than

> FDA-approved drugs, and is essential for the synthesis

> of melatonin. It also assists with sleep disorders,

> particularly those which are induced by the side

> effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

>

> Phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is

> used by the body to make the neurotransmitter

> (chemical messenger) norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is

> believed to be in short supply in the brains of people

> who are depressed. There is some evidence that taking

> in extra phenylalanine allows the brain to make more

> norepinephrine. There are several studies that

> indicate that phenylalanine may work as well as

> antidepressant drugs. Although the studies are

> inconclusive, the anecdotal evidence is strong, and

> there are virtually no known side effects, so it's

> worth trying.

>

> Theanine. Anxiety is a close cousin to depression, and

> the two often go hand in hand. Many people report that

> L-theanine works as well as prescription anti-anxiety

> medications, but L-theanine is not addictive or

> habit-forming.

>

> 5-HTP. 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid

> that occurs naturally in the body and is the final

> step in the production of the neurotransmitter

> serotonin. 5-HTP is special in that it can cross the

> blood brain barrier. It is extracted from the seeds of

> Griffonia simplicifolia, an African tree that is grown

> mostly in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The extraction

> process uses alcohol and produces an oily solid. The

> oily extract is then purified into a dry solid. 5-HTP

> can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The

> final product is the same as the one made by the body.

> 5-HTP has gained huge popularity in the treatment of

> insomnia, depression and obesity (among other uses).

> Today, 5-hydroxytrptophan is considered a safe and

> effective treatment for these conditions.

>

>

> Herbal Remedies

>

> For the vast majority of people bothered by stress or

> depression, a well designed herbal formula made from

> high quality herbs can prove remarkably effective.

> Look for an herbal formula that contains herbs such

> as:

>

> St. 's wort (Hypericum perforatum) as a

> standardized extract and is licensed in Germany and

> other European countries as a treatment for mild to

> moderate depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.

> Sometimes called " Nature's Prozac, " St. 's wort

> helps relieve stress, anxiety, and tension. In

> Germany, it is the most popular antidepressant,

> outselling Prozac 3-1.

>

> More than 20 clinical studies have been completed

> using several different St. 's wort extracts. Most

> have shown antidepressant action equal to standard

> prescription antidepressant drugs, without the side

> effects. St. 's Wart is now being studied in the

> first U.S. government-sanctioned clinical trial, a

> three-year study sponsored by the Center for

> Complementary and Alternative Medicine, based in

> Washington, D.C.

>

> Probably the greatest testament to its efficacy is how

> it has been attacked in the press as " dangerous. " The

> case against it is that it seems to heighten the

> dangers associated with MAO1 inhibitors, if you are

> currently using such drugs. But this is a marvelous

> piece of propaganda double-speak that transfers the

> danger from the antidepressants, where they belong, to

> St. 's wort, which merely brings those dangers to

> the fore. Orwell would be proud!

>

> Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) extract is currently being used

> as an alternative for elderly patients with depression

> resistance to standard drug therapy. This is because

> depression is often an early sign of cognitive decline

> and cerebrovascular insufficiency in elderly patients.

> In one study, 40 patients, ages 51 to 78, with a

> diagnosis of resistant depression, were randomized to

> receive either Ginkgo biloba extract or placebo for

> eight weeks. Patients in the ginkgo group received 80

> mg of the extract three times daily. During the study,

> patients remained on their antidepressant drugs. In

> patients treated with ginkgo, there was a decline in

> the median Hamilton Depression Scale scores from 14 to

> 7 after four weeks. This score further reduced to 4.5

> after eight weeks. There was a one-point reduction in

> the placebo group after eight weeks. In addition to

> the significant improvement in symptoms of depression

> for the ginkgo group, there was also a noted

> improvement in overall cognitive function. No side

> effects were reported.

>

> Valerian root. For centuries, Valerian has been used

> to treat nervous tension and panic attacks. A

> wonderful herb, Valerian is calming and quieting to

> the nervous system.

>

> Kava kava is the herb of choice to relax the body,

> relieve stress, to combat mild to moderate anxiety,

> and for relief from headache and back pain. Kava is

> now recognized by many doctors as an alternative to

> drugs like Xanax and Valium. (And, as might be

> expected for something that works so well, Kava kava

> is under

>

> Progesterone

>

> This is particularly important since women experience

> clinical depression twice as often as men. Over the

> years I have been recommending progesterone crème to

> women, it has picked up the nickname from many of

> them: " The Happy Crème. " Any time progesterone levels

> drop such as during the monthly cycle, immediately

> after giving birth, or all the time if you are in a

> state of estrogen dominance, depression is a likely

> result. Using a good progesterone crème can provide an

> almost instant turnaround in attitude.

>

> And while we're on the subject, let's talk about post

> partum depression. It's real. During the weeks leading

> up to birth, progesterone levels have soared to levels

> 10-20 times normal. No wonder women seem to glow

> during pregnancy. But immediately after birth,

> progesterone levels plunge to almost zero. No wonder

> so many women experience extreme, even psychotic

> levels of depression. Simple supplementation with

> progesterone crème will resolve the depression over

> 90% of the time. In fact, any doctor who recommends

> antidepressants for post partum depression without

> trying progesterone crème first, should be named as an

> unindicted co-conspirator since they truly share the

> blame for any psychotic incidents that may result.

>

> Testosterone

>

> A growing body of evidence suggests that testosterone

> levels drop as much as 40% in men between their early

> 40s and early 70s. And for 10 to 15 percent of all

> men, those levels will dip below normal even as early

> as their 30s if there is stress, depression, personal

> life changes or medications. This in turn causes a

> decrease, not only in sexual desire and performance,

> but also in the competitive drive to succeed and

> accomplish in life -- which is frequently experienced

> as depression. In women, excessive estrogen in the

> body causes a reduction in testosterone levels, which

> leads to a similar decline in sexual desire and

> performance and a similar reduction in " life drive. "

> Again, frequently experienced as depression.

>

> In conclusion, depression can be common, but should

> not be taken lightly. A good, healthy program of daily

> exercise (which stimulates endorphins), low sugar

> foods, replacing depleted vitamins and minerals, and

> proper supplementation can go a long way to helping us

> feel better. And, it is not a bad idea to tell friends

> and family who have kids on antidepressants that

> simple dietary changes and supplementation may be all

> that's needed. Lastly, the mind is a powerful tool,

> and for those who are going through hard times, and if

> you haven't already done so, you might want to read

> Chapter 15 of Lessons from the Miracle Doctors (you

> can download a free copy at

> www.baselinenutritionals.com

>

> Please note. Despite claims to the contrary on the

> internet, Jon Barron is not associated with Healing

> America and does not oversee their formulas or their

> ingredient sourcing, and no longer licenses the use of

> the Barron Effect in the processing of their herbal

> tinctures.

>

> For those of you who have already written reviews for

> Jon Barron's Lessons from the Miracle Doctors on the

> Amazon.com website, thanks for your support. For the

> rest of you, feel free to log on and write a review.

> Every good review helps. Thanks for your support.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Barron

> Baseline of Health Foundation

>

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>

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>

> The information provided in this newsletter is for

> informational purposes only and is not intended as a

> substitute for advice from your physician or other

> health care professional or any information contained

> on or in any product label or packaging. You should

> not use the information in this newsletter for

> diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for

> prescription of any medication or other treatment. You

> should consult with a healthcare professional before

> starting any diet, exercise or supplementation

> program, before taking any medication, or if you have

> or suspect you might have a health problem. You should

> not stop taking any medication without first

> consulting your physician .

>