Depression: Battling the Blues with Dietary Supplements

Whether the weather has you down, or life in general, depression can be devastating and debilitating. But options do exist that take you beyond the pharmacy counter…

Dietary supplements unfortunately rely on advertising, which means that some products seem worth the price, but may only be hype. According to doctors, here are a few worth trying for depression, in addition to the obvious well-balanced diet with lots of Vitamin B and exercise:

St. John’s Wort

In mild cases, St. John’s Wort may rival the effectiveness of antidepressants. However, in severe cases it may not be helpful, and it can interact with other drugs. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is the most studied alternative treatment for depression. The majority of clinical investigations looking at its effects on mild to moderate depression have shown that this herbal remedy works better than a placebo and often performs as well as, and sometimes better than, prescription antidepressants.

S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe)

SAMe has been shown in studies to help with mild depression. However, there are side effects and SAMe should not be taken without consulting a physician.

Omega 3s

Research has found a link between low levels of omega-3s and increased depression rates. And considering omega-3s other benefits, they are worth a try.

Saffron

Yes, one of the world’s most expensive spices may have mood-boosting effects. Despite their name, antidepressants are used to treat more than depression. They are prescribed for a broad range of other emotional and cognitive conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease.19-22. Some scientists reasoned that—if saffron treats depression as effectively as antidepressant drugs—it may provide a safer treatment for these other conditions as well.

Foot Reflexology

An Inje University (Korea) study revealed foot reflexology massage was effective in reducing depression and stress, and strengthening the immune systems, of middle-aged women.