By Athlyn Green
What therapy is best for depression and stress? Are prescription drugs the answer? Or can herbal remedies be a safe and effective alternative?
Conventional antidepressants treat brain neurotransmitters, helping to either boost levels or prevent reuptake of these mood-enhancing messengers. When chemical imbalances are present, emotional well being is compromised. Depression anxiety stress treatment seeks to alleviate symptoms.
These disorders seriously impact quality of life and need to be treated. While no one can say what therapy is best for depression and stress, science provides valuable insights. Any remedy should correct imbalances and restore functioning.
Natural remedies are proving increasingly popular because of reduced risks associated with their use. How would a natural supplement compare to a prescription drug as a depression anxiety stress treatment? What substances in natural remedies influence the brain and its functioning?
Siberian ginseng acts to improve the balance of important neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine). It has been shown to be effective in treating depressive disorders and inhibits monoamine in the brain, similar to a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
Omega 3 fish oil contains essential fatty acids, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), known for its multiple health benefits. Neuroscientists have found evidence that omega 3 DHA produces alterations in serotonin and dopamine levels. Studies confirm that when a depletion of omega-3 fatty acids occurs, depression increases.
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) increases serotonin levels, which is important to regulation of endocrine and brain activity essential to emotional well being. 5-HTP is a close relative of tryptophan and part of the process that leads to serotonin production. Scientists, examining research from around the world, have concluded that 5-HTP has real antidepressant properties.
SAM-e is used to treat moderate to severe depressive symptoms. European research has shown it to be as effective or exceeding conventional medication, acting on the brain in a fashion similar to antidepressant drugs but generally free of troublesome effects.
A good quality nutritional remedy will include vitamins and minerals, amino acids and enzymes, herbal extracts and specialty supplements. These will be formulated in a specific manner to scientifically treat illness and support essential nutritional, hormonal, and chemical balances.
When asking what therapy is best for depression and stress , part of the answer lies in making sure you are consuming and absorbing needed proteins and essential fatty acids in your diet. Underlying nutritional deficiencies can lead to depression. Nutritional supplementation provides essential ingredients needed to support optimal emotional and physical functioning, providing preventative protection to guard against these maladies.
Natural depression anxiety stress treatment works by strengthening weak signals, raising levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain and improves processing of these signals by the neurons.
As can be seen, your nutritional state can have a serious impact on brain functioning—in fact, some scientists believe that a diet compromised in essential nutrients can lead to serious brain diseases.
Conventional drugs or alternative remedies offer important treatment options when trying to determine what therapy is best for depression and stress. It is helpful to understand how these act upon the brain by providing needed components to achieve normal functioning.
It is important to discuss use of any depression anxiety stress treatment with your doctor—especially if you are taking medications for other health-related conditions. He can advise you as to what may be the best approach for you.
A practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine can be a valuable partner in the healing process, offering insights into why natural remedies can be safe and effective when making a decision as to what therapy is best for depression and stress.
Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to Depression Anxiety Stress Treatment, a section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com dedicated to natural treatments and prescription drug alternatives for this disorder.
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