In the previous two posts we discussed Depression, what it is, how it occurs. Now lets talk about how it can be treated with or without drugs. As you may recall, what the previous post talked about was the neurotransmitter, Serotonin as one of the causes of Depression when it was low. Traditional medicine goes directly to increase the serotonin with medication or drugs. Which is definitely one way to treat the disorder, but not without side effects.
I mentioned in the first post of this series that a deficiency of hormones is also part of the problem. Estrogen seems to have the largest effect on the Serotonin levels. Well then, we could just increase estrogen and the problem is solved, right? Not necessarily, adding hormones can also cause unwanted side effects, even cancer.
I propose we take one step back in both of these cases, Ready? If there is a deficiency of Anything in the body there is a reason, lets take a look at that. What is it that makes up neurotransmitters and hormones? How are they made? By looking at these mechanisms, helps us to understand how the liver, from the Chinese medicine standpoint, is part of the cause of Depression. Okay, hang in there it gets easier to understand from here.
So lets take a closer look....
Formation of Serotonin
The Amino Acid tryptophan converts into
5-HTP, which then is readily converted into serotonin. Once serotonin is
made, it helps relieve the depression. Vitamin B6 is involved in the
process of serotonin formation.
Lets watch this short video about neurotransmitters. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, so not enough protein in the diet or the inability to digest it can cause a deficiency.
Estrogen's effects on serotonin
- estrogen increases the sensitivity of the receptors that receive serotonin (they are more likely to connect with serotonin)
- increases the number of serotonin receptors which increases the activity level of serotonin
- increases the reuptake of serotonin by the neuron it was released from in order that the serotonin may be made available once again in the synapse (the space between the neuron that releases the serotonin and the receptor that may connect with it
- increases the synthesis, or production, of serotonin
Now where does Estrogen(hormone) come from? How is it made? Hormones are made from, you guessed it, Cholesterol !!! There are many steps that go into this process, yet the bottom line is that the hormones are made from cholesterol, primarily in the Liver. Theres that liver again!
Lets look at the production of cholesterol. Check this out this newsletter from Harvard University. Pay close attention to the section entitled "You Mean My Body Makes Cholesterol?"
The next post we will tie this all together for you and discuss how to treat Depression from a natural standpoint. Don't miss the Best part of this series!
"Only the open-minded can be at peace, for they alone see reason for it". - A Course in Miracles
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