Dr. Ardyce Yik ND

Recurrent miscarriage, other ailments may be linked to MTHFR gene mutation

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR for short) is an enzyme that is responsible for the process of methylation in every cell in your body. Methylation is a core process that occurs in all cells. People with a genetic defect in the MTHFR gene may be at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, several types of cancer, chemical sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson’s/ Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression/ anxiety and other ailments. They may also feel sensitive (or worse) when taking nutraceuticals or supplements. Recent studies now link MTHFR mutation to recurrent miscarriages. Keep in mind that while recurrent miscarriages are often multi-factorial, one may consider testing for MTHFR mutation when frequent pregnancy loss is unexplained.

Depending on one’s ethnicity and where one lives, prevalence of this gene mutation can be as high as 21% of the population.

Screening for MTHFR mutation is recommended for:

Unexplained recurrent miscarriages
Mental disorders
Children of parents with MTHFR mutations
Relatives (blood-related) of someone with MTHFR mutations
Cancer: family history of cancer or undergoing cancer treatment (in Asians, breast cancer and ovarian cancer)
Cervical dysplasia
Cardiovascular risk with family history of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, clots, etc.
Chemical sensitivities
Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Neurological disorders
Elevated folate
Elevated homocysteine
Drug sensitivities to methotrexate, nitrous oxide, anesthesia

If you’re interested in learning more about MTHFR mutation or getting tested, talk to your healthcare practitioner. For ways to boost fertility naturally, click here.

SOURCE:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19839754

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22313097

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19180309

Autism, depression, brain health- linked to gut bacteria

There is now strong evidence that links conditions such as autism and depression to the the gut microbiome, i.e. the microorganisms that live in the gut. Recently, neuroscientists presented evidence for this link in a symposium at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington DC called “Gut Microbes and the Brain: Paradigm Shift in Neuroscience”.

Earlier this year, Dr. Yik had written the article, “Autism (and other health conditions” linked to the gut?” and shared groundbreaking research studies with parents at a kindergarten school. Now, neuroscientists agree that intestinal microflora may influence the brain. “The immune system almost certainly plays a part”, says Sarkis Mazmanian, a microbiologist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, “as does the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to the digestive tract. Bacterial waste products can also influence the brain- for example, at least two types of intestinal bacterium produce the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).”

Dr. Yik has discovered, when helping certain patients, that behaviour, mental health and digestive function improve dramatically after gut repair and replenishment treatment. She often uses the organic acids test (OAT) to first investigate intestinal microflora and bacterial waste products. Click here to read more about the organic acids test (OAT). She also uses the GI MAP (GI-Microbial Assay Plus) test, a stool analysis that includes an FDA-approved DNA/PCR assay to get a full, comprehensive picture of the gut microbiome (bacteria, parasites, viruses, yeast, etc.).

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Abnormally high levels of certain intestinal micro-organisms have been linked to the following conditions:

ADD/ ADHD
Adrenal Fatigue
Alzheimer’s Disease
Anxiety and Related Disorders (including OCD)
Asperger’s Syndrome
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Celiac Disease
Chronic Fatigue
Colitis, Crohn’s Disease
Depression
Developmental Delays
Fibromyalgia
Gastrointestinal Disorders (including IBS, diarrhea or constipation)
Learning Disabilities
Multiple Sclerosis
Recurrent Infections (including recurrent cystitis, sinusitis, etc.)
Tic Disorders and Tourette (Tourette’s) Syndrome

It is quite common for people with these conditions to have concurrent digestive symptoms or immunity issues. If you want to do the simple OAT (urine test) and/ or the GI MAP (stool test) to investigate the link between your gut and your health issues, click here to contact Dr. Yik.

SOURCE: http://www.nature.com/news/gut-brain-link-grabs-neuroscientists-1.16316

Cough medicines- a waste of money. Now what?

sickchild UK’s Royal College of General Practitioners’ vice chair, Dr. Tim Ballard, has warned that cough medicines are a waste of money. “The medical evidence behind cough medicines is weak,” he stated. “And there is no evidence to say that they will reduce the duration of illnesses – as such, GPs are unlikely to prescribe them.” He goes on to say that traditional homemade remedies with lemon and honey is a better approach. Cough medicines are part of an over-the-counter drug industry worth £3 billion (equivalent to US$4.8 billion) a year.

“Coughing actually has an important purpose,” explains Professor Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University. “It’s your body’s way of keeping unwanted stuff from getting into your lungs. But unfortunately, post-virus, this irritating symptom can really linger.”

Instead of suppressing the cough, try supporting the respiratory system and immune system with these natural approaches:

1) Lemon and Manuka honey- but don’t give honey to babies under the age of 1 as there is a risk of infant botulism.

2) N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)- This nutraceutical breaks the bonds in mucus, making it easier for your body to cough the mucus up. It also offers protection to cells as it supports the body’s antioxidant systems during infections and inflammatory conditions by raising the levels of glutathione, a potent antioxidant.

3) Elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra)- A popular medicinal herb commonly found in the form of a syrup, elderberry is rich in antioxidants and enhances immune function. Studies show people taking elderberry recover from the flu faster than those who don’t. It is deemed a safe and effective treatment for the cold and flu.

4) Essential oils in the form of inhalation and vapour rubs can help combat and soothe a cough. Thieves, lemon, peppermint and eucalyptus are popular ones. Make sure the essential oils are 100% pure.

5) Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii, 羅漢果)- Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for diabetes and obesity, Luo Han Guo is cooling in nature and is commonly used to treat dry (heaty) coughs, sore throats and tonsillitis.

See a licensed naturopathic doctor for a tailored treatment plan. If the cough persists for more than 3 weeks, is affecting young children or results in shortness of breath/ high fever/ coughing up blood, see your healthcare practitioner. Also, for coughs with an underlying cause, specific treatment should be given.

SOURCE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2793863/cough-medicines-waste-money-better-trying-honey-lemon-say-doctors.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs linked to Alzheimer’s disease

A study published last week in the British Medical Journal has found that people who take benzodiazepines are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder marked by progressive cognitive impairment and memory loss.

People who used benzodiazepines for 3 months or longer had up to a 51% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to elderly people who never took the drug, according to the study. The longer the exposure to the drug, the higher the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Common brand names include Xanax, Valium and Ativan. Talk to a licensed naturopathic doctor if you want to use natural medicine (nutraceuticals, medicinal herbs, etc.) instead. Click here to read about natural approaches to combat insomnia.

SOURCE: BMJ 2014;349:g5205

Women on birth control pills have lower measures of ovarian reserve than non-users

woman2 A recent study from the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark shows that oral contraceptives (“the Pill”) have a suppressive effect on two markers of ovarian reserve, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC). The AMH test helps to estimate ovarian reserve by measuring the number of follicles developing in the ovary at a particular time. The AFC is done via ultrasound to measure the number of antral follicles in each ovary.

AMH and AFC, both predictors of ovarian ageing, are currently used to determine ovarian reserve and future reproductive lifespan.

In the study, Dr. Kathrine Birch Petersen and her team found that measurements of AMH and AFC were 19% and 16% respectively lower in women using the Pill than in those not taking it. Ovarian volume was also significantly lower, with the greatest reduction seen in the group aged 19 to 29.9 years.

If you are currently experiencing fertility issues and would like a natural approach, click here to read more about my Natural Fertility Enhancement program.

Click here to read about the 11000+ lawsuits against the makers of birth control pills.

SOURCE: European Society of Human Reproduction. “Women on the Pill have significantly lower measures of ovarian reserve than non-users.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 2 Jul. 2014.

Harvard: environmental chemicals linked to brain disorders (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)

The recent increase in childhood neurodevelopmental delays and disabilities may be triggered by toxic chemicals in our environment, according to a new study released by Harvard School of Public Health and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The study, released a few weeks ago online in Lancet Neurology, indicates that children’s exposure to certain chemicals, including pesticides, may cause disabilities such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia.

Dr. Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health at Harvard and lead author of the study, is concerned because even ordinary (undiagnosed) children are affected. “The greatest concern is the large numbers of children who are affected by toxic damage to brain development in the absence of a formal diagnosis… They suffer reduced attention span, delayed development, and poor school performance. Industrial chemicals are now emerging as likely causes.”

The study outlines possible links between 6 newly recognized neurotoxins- manganese, fluoride, DDT and chlorpyrifos (pesticides), tetrachloroethylene (a solvent), and the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants)- and negative health effects on children. The study found:

• Certain types of pesticides may cause cognitive delays.

• Manganese is linked to diminished intellectual function and impaired motor skills.

• Solvents are associated with hyperactivity and aggressive behaviour.

What can we do?

Limit and avoid exposure to pesticides, food laden with pesticides, unfiltered water and toxic, man-made chemicals. Even children’s clothes (from brands such as Gap, Adidas, Burberry and Disney) with colourful dyes and large prints may contain harmful chemicals, according to the Greenpeace campaign and reported by the Hong Kong media in January 2014. For toddlers, use a fluoride-free toothpaste. Be a smart consumer.
If you are planning for a pregnancy or are pregnant, reduce your exposure to chemicals, many of which the fetus is not protected against. The placenta does not block the passage of environmental toxins from maternal to fetal circulation and more than 200 foreign chemicals have been detected in umbilical cord blood.
Avoid overburdening your body with processed foods, excessive smoking/ drinking/ recreational drugs and excessive stress, all of which may hinder the body’s detoxification mechanisms.
If you suspect that your health condition (ADHD, learning delays or disorders, infertility, weak immune system, etc.) may be linked to toxic chemicals or heavy metals, talk to your naturopathic doctor to get tested.

Click here to learn more about how Dr. Yik can restore and boost your child’s health.

SOURCE:

Growing number of chemicals linked with brain disorders in children

Click to access chemicals.pdf

Five worst ingredients in food

Buying processed food may be more convenient than making wholesome meals from scratch, but are you aware of the hidden ingredients lurking in foods that may wreak havoc on your health? There are literally thousands of food additives out there, and a lot of them are at the root of many health problems. Here are 5 of the worst:

1. Synthetic Trans Fats– Trans fats are artificially produced from industrial hydrogenation of vegetable oils. It makes food taste better, extends shelf-life and is often found in French fries, onion rings, fried foods, pies, pastries/ sweet rolls/ donuts, frozen dinners, margarine (In the 1980s, many consumers switched from butter to margarine because of concerns about butter’s high saturated fat content. But it turns out that synthetically made, trans fat margarine could be more damaging to your health than butter! If you must consume margarine, read the labels and buy one made without trans fats) and anything else containing “partially hydrogenated oils”. Industrially produced trans fats are bad for you. They are linked to heart disease and promote inflammation in the body (click here to read why inflammation is bad for you). They raise your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and decrease your good (HDL) cholesterol. According to the FDA, a complete ban on partially hydrogenated oils can prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease in America a year. “The detrimental effect was found in studies where an increase in trans fat by 2% of the total calories of your diet will increase your cardiovascular disease risk by 23%. In comparison to saturated fat, an increase in 2% in saturated fat is only correlated to an increase of 2% in heart disease risk,” says June Chan, senior dietitian at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital. Some studies have also linked trans fat consumption with cancer, obesity, infertility and liver disorders. As of January 2014, Hong Kong has yet to ban trans fat from their menus and stores, though other countries have already taken measures to do so.

2. Preservatives– There is a trend lately among bread lovers. Many are ditching commercially made breads and making their own from scratch. One of the reasons is because they want to avoid the preservatives and additives often found in store-bought bread and bread products. Preservatives found in these foods include ammonium sulfate and potassium bromate, a harmful substance which improves the quality of flour. Potassium bromate can be harmful even at small doses, and it has been banned in Canada, Europe and China (including Hong Kong) though not in the U.S.A. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a food preservative that prevents food from going rancid, but a recent study that found it causes cancer in laboratory animals. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has labeled BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” You can also find BHA in medicines and food packaging. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a food preservative similar to BHA that prevents oils in food from becoming rancid. You’ll also find it in jet fuel, embalming oil and rubber.

3. Artificial Sweeteners– Artificial sweeteners, which virtually add no calories to your diet, can be found in a variety of foods and beverages labelled as “diet” or “sugar-free”. Soft drinks, fruit juice, chewing gum, breath mints (click here if you want to stop using breath mints!), baked goods, candy, ice cream and yogurt are some of the most common foods that may contain these sugar substitutes. The problem with these artificial sweeteners is some of them have been associated with different cancers (in mice), and many people actually experience a host of side effects after consuming them- abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, anxiety, aching joints, neurological problems such as seizures and headaches, etc. Beware of aspartame, sorbitol (One patient complained of constant diarrhea, which disappeared when I advised him to stop chewing his “sugar-free” gum which contained sorbitol!), acesulfame-K, sucralose and saccharin. A healthy piece of advice: Train your taste buds to savour a less sweet taste by gradually cutting back on sugar and artificial sweeteners. Eventually, you’ll enjoy your cup of coffee/ tea, bowl of cereal/ oatmeal just fine without any added sweeteners. Your body will thank you, too!

4. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)- This high-fructose sweetener is added to nearly every sweetened food or beverage. Soft drinks, breakfast cereals, cereal bars, commercial sauces and salad dressings are some of the more common products containing HFCS. Continuous consumption of HFCS leads to obesity, high triglycerides, fatty liver, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome leading to heart disease. Furthermore, due to chlor-alkali products used in the manufacturing process, HFCS often contains toxic levels of mercury. Check out the health tip under #3 above.

5. Artificial Colours- Some parents may notice that after consuming artificially coloured foods (colourful cakes, cupcakes, cookies with icing, etc.), their children’s behaviour becomes erratic and often difficult. This behaviour change is largely caused by the chemicals used to make the dyes. A study commissioned by the British Food Standards Agency has linked artificial food colours to increased levels of hyperactivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in ordinary children. Click here to read more on artificial colours and their detrimental effects.

If you haven’t started yet, now is a good time to start reading food labels! The food choices you make now not only impact your own health but also the health of your family (it may even impact your ability to conceive and have children. Click here to read more.). Hippocrates, known as the Father of Medicine, once said, “Let food be your medicine.” So, let food be our medicine, not poison.

If you suspect your health condition is caused by certain foods or additives- and want a thorough medical investigation- or if you want nutritional support and guidance, contact Dr. Yik today.

SOURCE:

Dufault, R., LeBlanc, B., Schnoll, R. et al. 2009. Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: Measured concentrations in food product sugar. Environ Health. 26(8):2.

Bray, G.A., Nielsen, S.J., and B.M. Popkin. 2004. Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity. Am J Clin Nutr. 79(4):537-43. Review.

http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health/article/1404645/trans-fats-likely-stay-hong-kong-menus-despite-us-ban

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?orig_db=PubMed&cmd=Search&TransSchema=title&term=Journal+of+toxicology+and+environmental+health.+Part+A%5BJour%5D+AND+2008%5Bpdat%5D+AND+splenda

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(07)61306-3/abstract

Autism (and other health conditions) linked to the gut?

New research published in December 2013’s Cell has revealed a possible link between the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the gut.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition often marked by decreased social interaction or impaired social skills. Researchers have found that changes in gut bacteria affected autism-like behaviour in mice. Many of the behavioural abnormalities, including anxiety-like behaviour, went away after treatment with bacteria from a healthy gut.

“Traditional research has studied autism as a genetic disorder and a disorder of the brain, but our work shows that gut bacteria may contribute to ASD-like symptoms in ways that were previously unappreciated,” says California Institute of Technology (Caltech)’s biology professor Sarkis K. Mazmanian. “Gut physiology appears to have effects on what are currently presumed to be brain functions.”

Earlier in 2013, Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown and Dae-Wook Kang, researchers at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, discovered a similar link. They examined the role of beneficial bacteria (what we know as probiotics) in improving autism. In their study, lower diversity of gut microbes was positively correlated with the presence of autistic symptoms. “One of the reasons we started addressing this topic is the fact that autistic children have a lot of GI problems that can last into adulthood,” Krajmalnik-Brown says. “Studies have shown that when we manage these problems, their behavior improves dramatically.”

Dr. Yik has also discovered similar results when helping her autistic patients, where behaviour and digestive functions improve dramatically after gut repair and replenishment treatment. She often uses the organic acids test (OAT) to first evaluate intestinal microflora and to investigate if there are any metabolic disorders leading to toxicity and other issues. Click here to read more about the organic acids test (OAT).

Besides autistic spectrum disorders, Dr. Yik has found behavioural/ psychological problems, chronic fatigue and other health conditions linked to intestinal health as well.

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Abnormally high levels of certain intestinal micro-organisms have been found to cause or worsen the following conditions:

ADD/ ADHD
Adrenal Fatigue
Alzheimer’s Disease
Anxiety and Related Disorders (including OCD)
Asperger’s Syndrome
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Celiac Disease
Chronic Fatigue
Colitis, Crohn’s Disease
Depression
Fibromyalgia
Gastrointestinal Disorders (including IBS, diarrhea or constipation)
Learning Disabilities
Multiple Sclerosis
Recurrent Infections (including recurrent cystitis, sinusitis, etc.)
Tic Disorders and Tourette (Tourette’s) Syndrome

It is quite common for people with these conditions to have concurrent digestive symptoms or issues, but they often don’t see the link. If you want to do the simple OAT (urine test) to investigate the link between your gut and your health issues, click here to contact Dr. Yik.

Click here to read more about healing your gut. Click here to learn more about Dr. Yik.

SOURCE:

http://www.cell.com/retrieve/pii/S0092867413014736

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130704095121.htm

Bad breath? Bloated? Gassy? Time to heal your gut.

Many people take breath mints regularly in hopes to cover foul breath. Others experience bloating and discomfort after meals, but never wonder why their body is sending them this message. Loose or unformed stool (diarrhea) alternating with periods of constipation is rather common for busy people living in Hong Kong and other metropolitan cities. If you’ve visited your doctor for these complaints, you may have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a rather vague diagnosis… So now what? Must we live uncomfortably after every meal? Are digestive enzymes the answer? Can we cure bad breath? How can we restore proper function of our digestive tract? Consider the following:

1. Masking is different from restoring. You may think that taking a digestive enzyme or a breath mint solves the problem, but a digestive enzyme merely does the job of digestion for you (meaning without it, you are back at square one) while a breath mint masks an underlying problem. On the other hand, a combination of a healthy diet, simple lifestyle changes (such as taking the time to eat and CHEWING each bite of food thoroughly), nutraceuticals and medicinal herbs can help to repair your digestive tract, ultimately restoring proper digestive function. Many patients, after months or years of symptomatic “management”, are amazed at how naturopathic medicine can restore their bodies’ natural ability to digest food and absorb nutrients. Treatment typically takes one to six months, depending on the severity of the condition.

2. For a significant number of people, bad breath is related to digestion. If you’ve been to the dentist and your problem is not due to oral hygiene, chances are it’s due to maldigestion and toxicity in the gut. Try basing your diet on fresh vegetables/ foods, whole grains, beans and pulses. Avoid processed (additive-laden), deep-fried and fatty foods. If you eat well but are still plagued by bad breath, read on to find out more about food intolerances and toxins in the digestive tract.

3. Food intolerances, loosely defined as undesirable reactions to food, may be to blame. Some people find that eating certain foods may trigger symptoms such as bloating, gas or diarrhea. Others may experience headaches, migraines or feel that their skin condition (e.g. eczema) worsens. Unlike the “classic allergic reaction” where your lip swells or your throat closes up after contact with an allergen, food intolerances produce more subtle, delayed reactions. If your body reacts to these foods, regardless of the severity, continuously eating these foods will put a burden on your digestive tract. In order to heal your digestive tract, the first step in the restoration process is to avoid giving your body excess burden, meaning you need to avoid foods you are intolerant to. Since it is difficult to pinpoint which exact foods are the culprit, a simple IgG blood or finger-prick test is usually used to check for food intolerances. Note that this is different from testing for food allergies (IgE testing), which is often done in conventional medicine.

4. Further lab testing is key for optimal gut repair and restoration. People coming in often say they have already done numerous blood tests for digestive-related issues, but no cause of illness was ever identified. Dr. Ardyce Yik ND offers additional tests such as the food intolerance test and SIBO test, a breath test that determines whether or not you have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It turns out that a number of IBS sufferers have infections in their intestines, often in the small intestine. Some experts believe that irritable bowel syndrome is actually caused by an infection called SIBO- a small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Another test Dr. Yik often orders to investigate digestive ailments is the GI MAP (GI-Microbial Assay Plus) test, a comprehensive stool analysis that includes an FDA-approved DNA/PCR assay for GI pathogens (bacteria, parasites, viruses, yeast, etc.). Yet another test that may be helpful is the organic acids test (OAT), a urine test that provides a snapshot of metabolism. The OAT is based on the byproducts that the body discards through the urine. These discarded organic acid molecules can indicate metabolic disorders including energy production, bacterial overgrowth or the presence of yeast (Candida) in the gut, which lead to toxicity and many other issues. Often times, patients come in without any outward signs of yeast or bacterial infection, yet when their test comes back being positive and treatment is given, their digestive symptoms improve significantly.

The OAT urine test can help:

Detection of intestinal yeast or bacterial toxin overgrowth
Assessment of neuro-transmitter levels relevant to anxiety, addiction or depression
Assessment of central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerve) function
Detection of nutritional and antioxidant deficiencies
Evaluation of energy production by the mitochondria

Not only does the OAT aid in the investigation of gut issues, but also in determining possible causes of other health conditions. Dr. Yik can determine which tests, if any, are needed for each individual case.

When we remove barriers to health, when we repair the digestion system, when we replenish our bodies with proper nutrients, our gut will naturally function the way it was designed to. And when our gut is functioning properly, we will no longer need breath mints or digestive enzymes!

Stay tuned for Dr. Yik’s next article to find out how seemingly unrelated health conditions (ADD/ ADHD, anxiety, learning disorders, weak immunity, etc.) may be linked to your gut!

Happy new year? Understanding depression and what you can do about it

The promise of a new year brings optimism and hope to many, but throws others into abject misery. Whether or not you’re aware, someone you know is suffering from depression. Depression is a common but serious illness. People with depression (also known as clinical depression, major depression or major depressive disorder) find that their state interferes with daily life. Depressed people feel sad, hopeless, worried, helpless, guilty, irritable, pessimistic, hurt, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience changes in appetite, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions. Changes in energy levels, insomnia or excessive sleeping, aches, pains and/ or digestive problems may also be present. Depressed people may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide.

Sometimes depression stems from a major life event such as childbirth, a catastrophic injury or loss of a loved one. For others, it may be due to pharmaceutical medication or an underlying health condition including thyroid/ adrenal/ hormonal imbalances, cancer, autoimmune disease or other debilitating illnesses. Some people feel depressed continuously while others find that their depressive episodes follow a seasonal pattern (seasonal affective disorder).

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Most people with clinical depression need treatment to get better. Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of depression. Some people find psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) effective enough to help them change their thoughts and behaviour, while others need natural or pharmaceutical antidepressants to help them get back on track. Along with therapy and/ or oral antidepressants, many people find that dietary modifications, stress management techniques, acupuncture, physical activity and other lifestyle changes can dramatically improve their condition.

If you know a family member or friend who exhibits depressive symptoms, encourage them to seek help, and be supportive in their healing journey.

Below, I’ve outlined a few cases to shed light on natural approaches used to treat depression.

Case #1. A lawyer complains of hating her job, trouble sleeping, low energy and needing alcohol to help her “relax” every evening (she also recently finds out she has fatty liver, most likely due to her drinking habits). Having lost interest in things she used to enjoy, she feels miserable and has no motivation to do anything. After listening to her work stresses, diet and lifestyle, I prescribe her SAMe (click here to read more about this natural antidepressant), an omega-3 supplement and some dietary modifications to nourish her adrenal glands and help improve sleep. I encourage her to do some form of physical activity regularly, and on days when she’s “too busy” to exercise, to do stretches and deep breathing exercises after work. Within 3 months, her mood is lifted and her sleep is improved. There is no longer a need for alcohol (she has stopped drinking alcohol, period) and she happily tells me she is moving on to another more interesting, less stressful job.

Case #2. A visibly upset teenager studying in Europe comes in, telling me of her anxiety, relationship troubles and on-and-off eating disorder- on top of stress from her studies. After listening to her full story, I prescribe her natural adaptogens to increase her ability to deal with stress as well as herbal anxiolytics to reduce anxiety. I advise her to see a counselor for the eating disorder, and she does. She continues to see me every two weeks to follow up on progress and talk about ways to manage stress. Before the summer is over, her mind is clearer, she is less anxious and she feels more in control of her emotions. She is physically and mentally ready to face a new year of school. She is advised to continue treatment throughout her school year in Europe.

Case #3. A homemaker tells me she has thoughts of worthlessness, helplessness and suicide, though she lacks nothing financially and appears happy to the world. Her husband is not home often and she feels she has nothing to live for. She also suffers from insomnia and irritability. I prescribe her a natural antidepressant as well as certain adaptogens. I give her dietary recommendations to help lift her energy and mood. Throughout our sessions, she pours out her frustrations and fears to me. When treatment takes effect and she is more stable, she is encouraged to establish her own goals, to find a purpose for her existence. Today, she enjoys her part-time work in making a difference in other people’s lives.

If you or someone you know is depressed- you’re not alone. Natural or conventional treatment is available and can help you get back on track. Take courage and talk to your doctor to get the help you need!

SOURCE: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml