Inflammatory Depression

Depression is now seen to be in the top three illnesses affecting the aging population. The leading cause of death people younger than 35 in some areas of the world, according to a recent Australian study, is actually suicide. Untreated chronic depression is linked with a whole host of other diseases, including dementia, Alzheimer's and coronary heart disease. New schools of thinking are starting to suggest that inflammation could play a part in developing depression. Today we are looking at the rationale behind that thought, and the alternative health products that can reduce inflammation in your body to help reduce your risk of becoming depressed.

Chris Meletis, a naturopath, points to a growing body of evidence that the natural mood enhancers that are often prescribed to treat depression (Specific Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs, for example) also have anti-inflammatory properties, and these may actually be the reason that people feel better after taking them.

Evidence for the above

Male patients with increased early life stress have shown an enhanced inflammatory response to psychosocial stress later in life. (Published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, September 2006)

Patients with bipolar disorder were also found to have higher serum levels of the inflammation marker C-Reactive protein. (Published in the Programs of Neuropsychopharmacological Biological Psychiatry October 2006).

Possible remedies through alternative health products

Melatonin is a critical part of this equation, and alternative health products that provide glandular support to the pineal gland may be of special use in treating depression. We know that going without sleep makes us feel depressed, and we also know that going without sleep decreases our melatonin levels. It is a fact that melatonin is involved in regulating the anti-inflammatory response, as well as being responsible for circadian rhythms. Alternative health products that provide the support the pineal gland needs to function properly could help depressed patients feel better with much more natural substances.

Drug free treatment of depression

You can give those alternative health products a boost along their way to your better health by doing the following:

• Stop eating foods that produce an inflammatory response -- trans fats, refined carbohydrates and gluten are the number one offenders. For some people, dairy, eggs, soy and nuts may also be.
• Eat plenty of essential fatty acids -- if you don’t eat fish, get these through a natural health supplies store.
• Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs and spices such as garlic, oregano, turmeric, ginger and green tea.