half seek treatment. “Many women are too busy caring for others and feel guilty about their depression, fearing it could get in the way of their caregiving goals,” says New York psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz. “Many have the fantasy that if they open that door and allow themselves to focus on their feelings, they won’t be able to keep going.” Depression occurs most frequently in women ages 25 to 44, and one in five teenage girls reports having had a major depressive episode, a number that has exploded due to social media use. Psychotherapy is effective for 62 percent of adults with depression, antidepressants work for 54 percent and combining the two is helpful for 72 percent. Common symptoms: Sadness, anxiety, flat feeling, loss of motivation or feelings of pleasure, change of eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, difficulty concentrating or headaches. New research: Sleeping irregular hours, doing night shifts and working for more than nine hours a day have been shown to put women at higher risk of depression, while eating more dietary fiber in produce, grains and legumes significantly lowers this risk.
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Medical advances: For the estimated one in four people with depression that doesn’t respond to medication or therapy, emerging approaches offer fresh hope. Low doses of the anesthetic drug ketamine lifted the depression of 70 percent of hard-to-treat subjects by targeting specific serotonin receptors, Swedish researchers report. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the prefrontal cortex, lifts symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of subjects, studies show. Preventive strategies: Eating at least two servings a week of wild-caught, oily fish or a daily 1,000-to-2,000-milligram fish oil supplement with a 60-to-40 EPA to DHA ratio has been shown to be effective for symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and postpartum depression. Taking a brisk daily walk in nature with a friend or dog lowers four factors linked to depression: a “nature deficit”, physical inactivity, low vitamin-D levels and isolation. Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
The Gut Feeling on
MENTAL HEALTH
W
hile traditional medicine often looks to the brain as the source of mental health disorders, the true origin may be in the gut. Dr. Mike Smith, owner of Carolinas Natural Health Center, located at 1114 Sam Newell Road., Suite. A, in Matthews, says, “There’s a growing amount of research that links gut health to mental health.” Smith, a naturopathic physician, notes: “The gut is often referred to as the ‘second brain’. Our digestive tract has the highest number of neurons outside of the brain. It is where most of the neurotransmitters are produced that directly affect our mood and mental function. The production of these neurotransmitters are affected by bacteria, viruses and yeast that live in the gut, as well as our diet, stressors, and chemicals in our environment.” The organisms that live in the gut make up the microbiome. A flourishing microbiome has good bacteria that assist in this gut/brain connection and improves the mental health and overall feeling of wellness. “The overuse of antibiotics and eating the wrong types of foods can knock the microbiome off balance, creating an environment where bad bacteria flourish. We see this all of the time in our practice,” says Smith.
Recent research shows that gut nerve cells make 95 percent of serotonin, the “happiness hormone.” “There’s this idea that you can ‘heal’ anxiety and depression with prescription drugs, but if your gut nerve cells aren’t making serotonin the way that they should be, you’re simply covering up the problem without healing it. Unless you’re on these prescriptions for life, you’ll be right back to where you started if you don’t address the root cause of the issues,” advises Smith. Smith’s patients often come to him with complaints that stem from the use of these prescription medications. “I hear complaints like no sex drive, weight gain, lack of energy and more, which are all side effects of anxiety and depression medications. I know there are cases where these medications may be necessary and helpful, but for many people, addressing nutrition, healing the gut, getting adequate sleep and developing a self care routine that includes regular exercise and nutrition can have a quick, lasting impact without side effects.” To schedule a free discovery call and for more information, call 704-486-2448 or visit www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com.
May/Early June 2021
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