Natural Depression Cures
by Karl Perera

In this article I will cover the following:

why should you try a natural cure?
what natural cures are available?
do they work?

Are you depressed?

Natural cures are sometimes just as effective as medication (anti-depressants). If you have tried counseling, have gone to a doctor and tried some form of medication you may still after, all that, get depressed because these conventional treatments are often not successful long term.

Medication in most cases is short-term and you may suffer side effects especially coming off them. Counseling aims to get at the reasons why you feel depressed psychologically or how you deal with stress and diffculties in your life. Medication may be a choice but counseling seems like a no-brainer to me. Ever thought about counseling?- itis very effective and a very practical option to consider.

When preparing for major purchases like counseling or medical treatments, or when filing taxes many people consider making a personal budget. This same type of preparation may be helpful when considering options regarding natural treatment. Comparing the facts and effectiveness of natural cures is an important step in this course of action. Many government resources are available for financial planning, so resources should be available when considering options other than standard medical treatments. Whatever state or location you're in, options are available. Below are presented resources on the popularity and effectiveness of natural cures that can be used in conjunction with counselling or alone.

Which Natural Cures for Depression are most Popular and do they work?

Food:

low-fat dairy products, bananas, turkey and soy foods help boost serotonin in your brain which improves your mood.

Omega-3 oils - (see also below under supplements) - tuna, fish, purslane, salmon, nut oils.

If you lack omega-3 fats in your diet you may suffer from tiredness (fatigue), poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings, depression, and poor circulation. Various studies have found a link between Omega-3 oils and bipolar disorder and depression.

Depression can result from the body taking in too many refined carbohydrates. Too many man-made unnatural foods is not healthy and sugar is so addictive!

Sugar can help cause mental illness, because it causes insulin resistance, unstable blood sugar levels and raised stress hormones.

One solution to depression is better nutrition, less drugs or psychotherapy, but acceptance of this idea needs a change of thinking.

Herbal treatments:

St. John's Wort - alters brain chemistry and improves your mood and depression. Although natural it is so strong it should not be used alongside medication. Consult a doctor before doing so. Generally confirmed as quite effective in treating depression. I have tried this and it worked for me.

Recent studies indicate that a specific extract of Hypericum perforatum was as effective as prescription antidepressants and had far fewer side effects (thus available without a prescription for the treatment of mild to moderate depression) and costs a lot less - about 25 cents a day.

In Germany, more than fifty percent of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders are treated with St. John's Wort. Prozac is just two percent.

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Highly recommended

Exercise:

Exercise improves sleep, and improves your energy level. Exercise maintains physical health and controls weight, it also helps you to look and feel good which improves your self-esteem. It also helps increase endorphins in your brain which actually give you a boost in happiness.

A few small studies even hint that, in cases of mild to moderate depression, exercise may be as effective as standard therapies. Doctors caution that exercise is not a substitute for good medical care, however, but should be used in addition to other treatment.

Supplements:

Omega 3 fish oils -The Inuits have a very low rate of heart disease. Why? Simple, they eat fish. The American Heart Association advises everyone to eat at least two 3-ounce servings of fatty fish every week. Doctors can confim the connection between Omega - 3 oils and depression. Children suffering from depression can also be helped by Omega-3 oils and so feed your children fish!

B- Vitamins

The B-complex vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well-being. B vitamins are destroyed by alcohol, refined sugars, nicotine, and caffeine so it is likely that many people may be lacking in these.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine):

The brain uses this vitamin to help convert glucose, or blood sugar, into fuel, and without it the brain rapidly runs out of energy

This can lead to fatigue, depression, irritability, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. Memory problems, loss of appetite, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disorders are some of the problems caused by a deficiency of B1. Eating refined carbohydrates, like simple sugars, drains the body's B1 supply.
Vitamin B3 (niacin): A deficiency of this vitamin can cause Pellagra-resulting in psychosis and dementia. Deficiencies of vitamin B3 can also cause agitation and anxiety, as well as mental and physical slowness.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, chronic stress, and depression. Vitamin B5 is vital for hormone formation and the uptake of amino acids and the brain chemical acetylcholine, which combine to prevent certain types of depression.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): This vitamin is necessary in the manufacture of serotonin, melatonin and dopamine. Vitamin B6 deficiencies are very rare but can cause damaged immunity, skin lesions, and mental confusion. Alcoholics, patients with kidney failure, and women using oral contraceptives are at risk of such a deficiency. MAOIs may also lead to a shortage of this vitamin. Many doctors believe that most diets do not contain enough of this vitamin.
Vitamin B12: deficiency leads to a problem known as pernicious anemia. This disorder can cause mood swings, paranoia, irritability, confusion, dementia, hallucinations, or mania, eventually followed by appetite loss, dizziness, weakness, shortage of breath, heart palpitations, diarrhea, and tingling sensations in the extremities. Deficiencies develop slowly, because the body stores a three- to five-year supply in the liver. Older people are more at risk of B12 deficiencies.

There are many other natural cures for depression and these include:

Meditation - relaxing your mind and switching off thought as you focus on your breathing is a great way to rest inside. Depression is stress related and so anything which calms you down and relieves this stress is not only good for you, it is one of the best cures.
Yoga - again relieves stress and is good for you. It is an effective cure for anxiety and depression because it relaxes your body and mind.
Exposure to sunshine - in winter depression can set in because of low levels of light or sunshine. One of the best natural cures is exposure to sunlight which also is good for your body because it boosts your vitamin D levels.
Homeopathy - a completely natural form of treatment. Cures are given as medicine specifically matched to the condition.
Aromatherapy - the practice of cures consisting of natural oils. For example, jasmine oil is a natural smell that is good for depression as it is uplifting for the mind.
Art Therapy - this form of therapy involves creativity and expression which helps promote well-being and happiness.

The above list of treatments is just the beginning. There are many alternatives to standard medical treatments. So don't let yourself be confined to standard treatments but do ask for advice about natural cures and this way you will be helping yourself to get better.

Read this next :

Cure Your Anxiety Attack, Stress Or Depression Naturallyor smiling is the art of happiness

About Karl Perera

Karl has suffered from depression and has written much about how to overcome it. A teacher and self help expert, He is also author of the best-selling book "Self Esteem Secrets".

His website "More-SelfEsteem.com" has helped thousands to make a positive change in life.

Natural Depression Cures by Karl Perera