by Dr. Marita Schauch, BSc, ND Iโve taken some time this month to explore depression, given how Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD) tends to run rampant at this time of winter. Iโm a firm believer in people feeling empowered around their health care, and donโt...
depression
Folic acid levels linked to depression
Researchers have always known that B-vitamins play a critical role in mood, but now a study has definitively connected folic acid levels with depression. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston have said that low folic acid (folate) levels are associated with...
Vitamin D and the Sun: Dermatology association provides guidelines
There has been some confusion about the amount of sun exposure required to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D, according to the Canadian Dermatology Association. "People are hearing many different recommendations, some of which can be misleading," says Dr Cheryl...
Outrun the Blues! Regular exercise cuts depression symptoms by half
Jumping on that treadmill or bike is not only good for oneโs health, but also can help significantly reduce depression, say researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The first study to look at exercise alone in treating mild to moderate depression in adults aged...
Herb for Depression: Patients report better results with St Johnโs wort than with drug
An extract from the herb St John's wort is at least as effective in treating depression as a commonly prescribed anti-depressant, according to new research published on bmj.com, the website of the British Medical Journal. St John's wort and the anti-depressant drug...
Does winter make you SAD? Try more D
With another long winter upon us, itโs essential to make sure youโre getting enough vitamin D in order to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD can result in anxiety and depression, increased carbohydrate cravings, sleep problems and fatigue. Our main source...
Depression Linked to Fats Ratio: Low omega-3, high omega-6 may be responsible
A group of researchers from Israel has discovered that rats exhibiting the signs of depression have increased levels of the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, in their brains. There is also evidence that depression may be associated with a dietary deficiency in...
SAMe successful in depression study
SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine) is gaining a reputation in North America as a safe, reliable treatment for depression, especially since new research shows it can be successfully combined with traditional antidepressant medications. SAMe is produced in the body from the...
SAMe Solution? Supplement aids depression in combination with drugs
Researchers have found that adding the nutritional supplement SAMe to a standard antidepressant may be helpful to patients who have not responded to single-drug treatment for clinical depression. The pilot study found that treatment with both SAMe and an...
Smart Fats: brain food for all ages
The human brain is mostly fat, and good fat at that! To develop, grow and protect itself properly, the brain relies on us to give it a steady supply of this good fat, which cannot be made by the body but must come through the diet. However, most of us donโt give our...