depression

Study Suggests A Simple Method for Regulating Depression, ADHD, and Other Disorders

By John Michael

A new study proposes an easy and inexpensive way to regulate conditions like depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia. In the study’s abstract, Dr. Rhonda P. Patrick and Dr. Bruce N. Ames note that at least seventy percent of Americans suffer from a lack of this readily available treatment.

Their simple solution?

Get more sunshine. Eat more fish.

 In their study, Vitamin D and the Omega 3 Fatty Acids Control Serotonin Synthesis and Action, the doctors link the neurotransmitter serotonin to the regulation of executive function in the brain. Then they suggest that vitamin D and the two marine omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) encourage our brains to produce serotonin, thereby improving executive function in most people.

We propose a model whereby insufficient levels of vitamin D, EPA, or DHA, in combination with genetic factors and at key periods during development, would lead to dysfunctional serotonin activation and function and may be one underlying mechanism that contributes to neuropsychiatric disorders and depression.

The doctors conclude that increasing the intake of vitamin D, EPA, and DHA can enhance serotonin synthesis and reduce the severity of conditions in which poor executive function is characteristic, like ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.

Whether or not you’re affected by these disorders, the fact that two-thirds of Americans suffer from a lack of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids suggests we might all benefit from taking this study’s advice. EPA and DHA are generally found in fish like salmon, sardines, cod, roe, mackerel and herring. Vitamin D is best obtained from sunlight.

So get outside and enjoy the sun! And if you live by the beach, take a fishing pole with you.

Initially skeptical, Pamela finds a new understanding of human biology

Mark’s Daily Apple is a leading & insightful resource on evolutionary health. If you are new to the site, the menu selection Success Stories is a good place to start. Here are a few snippets of Pamela’s success story:

“Unfortunately, I still kept up my vegetarian ways by day, which led to one of the worst summers of my life. Depression and anxiety were my constant companions. Psychosis would not be too strong a word. And, I was still fat. My diet was, admittedly, atrocious. I remember eating cinnamon rolls, brownies, dipped ice cream, and frozen pizza all summer, with a few iceberg lettuce salads tossed in for good measure.” 

“Around that time, I began writing for LIVESTRONG on health and fitness. I continued to toe the line of conventional wisdom on healthy whole grains and calorie restriction. I even explored veganism and created a vegan food blog.”

“In the course of the job, I began exploring the paleo diet. I was skeptical. Didn’t cavemen die before their 30th birthday? In an effort to confirm that this was all just a fad—that was certainly the opinion of nearly every other health publication—I sent an email to UCLA’s evolutionary biology department and requested an interview. They directed me to Aaron Blaisdell PhD, founder of the Ancestral Health Society.”

“The interview forever altered my perspective and led me down a new path of understanding human biology.”

Read more: Skeptical Journalist Turned Primal Advocate

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Western diets & Depression

In a previous post, I wrote about depression being considered an inflammatory and degenerative disorder. In a recent post on Primal Docs,  writes an opinion piece on depression and nutrition:

"It is clear that ingesting unhealthy and/or processed food and abstaining from nutrient dense quality food is correlated with higher depression rates and depressive symptoms. This is likely due to the innate connection between the body and the mind via biological issues, such as inflammation, oxidative processes, and brain plasticity and function, which are altered due to diet quality and nutrient intake. Being able to determine precisely which foods positively and negatively affect depression, and its various forms, has the potential to dramatically change both the number of people suffering from this illness and the way in which it is treated."

Learn More: 
Nutrient-Rich Food and Depression – Part 1 of 2

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Is depression an inflammatory & degenerative disorder?

Vitamin D and Depression

By Gerard Guillory, M.D.
The Care Group 

A study published in the November 2011 issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that low vitamin D levels are associated with depressive symptoms; these symptoms are especially likely in persons with a history of depression. The study included 12,594 participants between November 27, 2006 and October 4, 2010. Serum vitamin D levels were analyzed and patients were screened for depressive symptoms. The results of the study lead the Mayo Clinic to conclude that, "Higher vitamin D levels are associated with a significantly decreased risk of current depression", giving even more evidence that vitamin D is a beneficial supplement.

Many experts feel that the higher incidence of depression in the winter months, so-called seasonal affective disorder or "SAD" occurs as the result of lower vitamin D levels as a result of less sun exposure. 

If you are feeling a little blue around the holidays don't forget to take your vitamin D or take a vacation to a warm, sunny destination. Doctor's orders.