Natural Health Treatment for Depression

Depression is a paralyzing monster. It takes over you, tightens its grip, and waits for you to suffocate. The right medication and therapy can turn things around and help you live productively.

Unfortunately, if you are low-income and on state insurance or disability, your ability to keep your depression in check is being threatened. Donald Trump and his team have been vocal about overturning these desperately needed programs. In the event that he does succeed, it's important to have a natural treatment plan in place.

Here, I will discuss what you can do to continue treating your depression. I must warn you, natural treatment is not as strong as the medication you are currently on, but it is still something. You can help your treatment be successful by introducing yoga, meditation, proper diet, and exercise into your regimen.

St. John's Wort
It has been proven that St. John's Wort is effective in treating mild to moderate depression. It typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to notice the total effect of the herb. Clinical trials have shown that the herb may not be useful for those with severe depression.
Side effects include:

Dry mouth
Fatigue
Indigestion
Dizziness
Photosensitivity

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are a type of fat that we need for normal brain functioning. Those who have depression also have a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Since we cannot make our own omega-3s, we have to rely on our diets for omega 3s. Studies have shown that both an anti-depressant medication regimen, and a diet high in omega-3s, can be more effective than just the anti-depressants by themselves.
Many cold water fish, such as sardines, salmon, and anchovies have very high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. You can also take fish oil supplements to increase the amount of omega-3s in your system. If you are on blood thinners, fish oil supplements may interact with your medication.

Sam-E
Sam-E is natural compound in the human body that can increase the amount of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Some individuals may have a lower amount of Sam-E in the body. This can increase symptoms of depression in these individuals.
Sam-E can be found in drug stores, health food stores, and even online. Implement this compound in your diet in order to decrease depression symptoms.

Folic Acid
People with depression typically have low amounts of folate in their body. In order to increase folate levels, increase the amount of leafy greens in your body. Fruit, fortified grains, and beans also have elevated levels of folate.

You can also change your diet by implementing the following changes:

1. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
2. Decrease sweets
3. Take Vitamin B6 pills (this pill will help in the production of dopamine and serotonin).
4. Take Magnesium (this pill is important as it can help with serotonin production).

If you suffer from depression, it is recommended that you exercise on a regular basis, and also get sunlight. It is well documented that a walk in the morning, on a sunny day, can really boost serotonin production in the brain.

As someone who suffers from depression, I highly recommend mindfulness meditation. It has been an invaluable tool in my treatment.

To learn more about mindfulness meditation, click here.