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Why You Should Always Take Vitamin B6 in the Morning

May 16 by Ewcopywriting

Most people are aware of the importance of getting sufficient vitamins in our daily diet, whether from foods or from supplements. However, new research suggests that it is also important to get these critical nutrients at the correct time of day. This may be particularly important with vitamin B6, a vitamin that plays a key role in energy production. Could the timing of your vitamin intake have an impact on your health and well-being? Should you be taking vitamin B6 in the morning? Read on to find out.

Vitamin B6’s Role in Energy

Why You Should Always Take Vitamin B6 in the Morning 2Like many B vitamins, vitamin B6 is best known for its role in energy production. Also known as pyridoxine, this vitamin acts as a cofactor in several important metabolic processes. Most notably, it is crucial in creating energy for our cells. Although taking more than the daily recommended amount of vitamin B6 has not been found to increase energy per se, not having enough of this nutrient can cause fatigue as well as other unpleasant symptoms.

Vitamin B6 also plays an important role in the creation of certain neurochemicals. Perhaps most significantly, it plays a critical role in the creation of serotonin from its precursor tryptophan. Even a mild deficiency of vitamin B6 can negatively affect serotonin levels, leaving us feeling fatigued and out of sorts. When serotonin levels drop, people may experience a wide variety of unpleasant effects, including changes in their circadian rhythm and mood.

Although serotonin levels are important to our health in a variety of ways, there are very few medications that work to help to keep this hormone stable. SSRIs, antidepressant drugs that increase serotonin, can cause increases in blood serotonin. However, the increase is often very small. For many people, the best way to influence serotonin levels is to take vitamin B6, tryptophan and other substances that play a part in serotonin synthesis. This naturally encourages the body to create more of this key hormone, solving the root problem without side effects or risks.

Serotonin and Sleep

Why do we need so much serotonin in the first place? Serotonin is one of the most effective multi-taskers in the human body, affecting almost every aspect of our health. Produced in the pineal gland along with melatonin and other neurochemicals, this hormone is best known for its role in creating a sense of happiness and well-being. However, it also has other important functions. For example, it has critical roles in heart health, digestion and even metabolism.

Most notably, serotonin appears to be extremely important in sleep regulation. When levels of this hormone are high, we feel energetic and alert. When they are low, we are more likely to feel sleepy. Sometimes this sleepiness is necessary and healthy, such as at night when we are trying to sleep. Serotonin does not just help us to sleep, but also promotes healthy sleep-wake cycles. Our levels are lowest when we are in REM sleep, which is the phase in which we dream.

Although higher levels of serotonin are associated with greater happiness and well-being, timing is an important factor. High levels of serotonin are most beneficial during the day, while they could actually cause insomnia if this hormone is high at night. As with all other aspects of health, timing is an important factor.

Why Take Vitamin B6 in the Morning?

Why You Should Always Take Vitamin B6 in the Morning 1Because vitamin B6 is important to the manufacture of serotonin, it is best taken when we first awake in the morning. We sleep more soundly and dream best when our serotonin levels are low. On the other hand, we benefit from a boost of serotonin during the day. Taking B6 as well as other energy-promoting vitamins in the morning just may give you the extra energy and mood boost that you need to get the day to a pleasant and productive start.

Although it may seem unusual that time of day matters in taking vitamins, new research in the field of chronobiology is discovering an increasing number of ways that timing can make a huge difference in health. In addition, to vitamins, several medications have been found to be more effective or have fewer side effects when taken at specific times of the day. The more we can work with our internal clocks, the better results we can expect.

Getting Your Day Off to a Great Start

Although supplementing with vitamin B6 is a great way to boost morning energy, there are several healthy and natural ways to make sure you have the get-up-and-go that you need to get up and go. Make sure you get around six to eight hours of rest every night. Go to bed and awaken at the same time every day to ensure that your circadian clocks keep ticking on time. Rather than a cup of coffee, reach for a healthy breakfast and a multivitamin with B6 as well as other vitamins that promote energy.

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Filed Under: Chronobiology, Chronotherapy, Circadian Rhythm, Diet & Nutrition, Energy, Mood, Sleep

Inflammation: The Missing Link Between Heart Disease and Depression

Apr 10 by Ewcopywriting

Studies have found that people who suffer from depression are far more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who do not have this mental illness. Conversely, individuals who experience a cardiovascular event are more likely to develop depression. While it’s difficult to say which condition may cause the other, the fact remains that there is a clear relationship between the two. Now, a new study suggests that heart disease and depression may both be caused by excessive inflammation, which can result from increased levels of stress and certain lifestyle factors.

The Link Between Heart Disease and Depression

Inflammation: The Missing Link Between Heart Disease and Depression 2Recent studies have found that the majority of individuals suffering from cardiovascular disease also suffer from depression. Since the two conditions commonly occur together, it seems very likely that there may be a causal link between them. Depression adversely affects quality of life, a situation which can lead to less interest in proper personal care. Someone suffering from depression is less likely to engage in healthy lifestyle choices, or to follow a doctor’s recommendations for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. This could be one way in which depression influences the development of cardiovascular disease.

An alternative explanation suggests that cardiovascular disease comes first. An event such as a heart attack most definitely affects a patient’s state of mind, increasing the possibility of depressive episodes. Faced with the recovery time and physical rehabilitation that follow a heart attack, it’s not uncommon for sufferers to become despondent and depressed. In fact, hospitals recognize the likelihood of this situation and provide behavioral and psychological counseling alongside the physical therapy necessary for the recovery of a cardiac arrest patient.

Inflammation: The Key to Explaining Link Between Heart Disease and Depression?

Heart disease and depression are both very serious issues throughout the world. While heart disease is responsible for the most deaths in the U.S. and abroad, depression is the leading mental health cause of disability in the world. Since the links between the two conditions are so strong, researchers at the University of Cambridge decided to look for a possible connection.

The research team accessed the UK Biobank system to review the medical records of 370,000 individuals ranging in age from 40 up to 69. The first phase of the research project looked at whether those with cardiovascular disease in their families had an elevated risk of developing depression. It was determined that having heart disease in the family did indeed increase the risk of developing major depression. In fact, in cases where an individual lost at least one parent to a cardiac event, the risk of depression was 20 percent higher.

Further research sought to identify common genetic markers for heart disease and depression, but none were found. Since genetics didn’t seem to play a factor in linking the two conditions, the team began looking for environmental factors. This phase of the research involved examining 15 biomarkers that boost one’s risk of heart disease and determining if those same biomarkers also increased the risk of depression. In this phase, researchers found three such biomarkers: triglycerides, CRP, and IL-6.

CRP and IL-6 are proteins that produce inflammation when activated by physiological factors such as an infection, emotional stress, a lack of physical activity or substance abuse. People with depression often exhibit high levels of inflammation, as well as heightened levels of the CRP and IL-6 proteins.

This research indicates that the heart and brain are both affected by the same biological functions. By raising the levels of certain proteins through unhealthy lifestyle choices, people might just open themselves up to multiple health problems at once. Alternatively, by taking action to reduce inflammation, it may be possible to improve both mental health and heart health.

Healthy Ways to Reduce Stress and Inflammation

Physical Activity

Inflammation: The Missing Link Between Heart Disease and Depression 1Getting more physical exercise can help reduce stress and inflammation simultaneously. As you exercise, your body releases endorphins, or “feel good” neurotransmitters, that elevate your mood. This reaction combats and reduces levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in your brain. Additionally, physical activity reduces inflammation even when it doesn’t result in weight loss. You can lower the levels of inflammation in the body simply by staying active.

Eliminate or Reduce the Use of Harmful Substances

By “harmful substances,” we mean alcohol, caffeine and nicotine as well as recreational drugs. These substances actually contribute to overall stress levels, even if you think they’re helping you relax. The chemicals found in these products inflame your blood vessels and raise blood pressure levels, so reducing your use will help you feel better and you’ll be healthier in the long run.

Get Better Sleep

Getting seven to eight hours of sleep is essential for a number of reasons, including the reduction of stress. As you sleep, your body recharges and your brain resets itself, allowing hormone levels to balance out. By getting enough sleep to relieve some of that pent up stress, you’ll also be reducing your internal inflammation levels.

Take Up a Hobby

Finally, find your own way to de-stress and recharge. The biggest cause of inflammation is stress, so, if you can find something enjoyable that relaxes you, you’ll be killing two birds with one stone. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s an activity you enjoy. It can be anything from hiking in the woods to doing crossword puzzles in your bedroom.

While further research is needed, we do know that depression and cardiovascular disease are linked and that inflammation may be the causal factor for both. Even without confirmation of this connection, we do know that relieving stress and inflammation through lifestyle changes is a great way to stay healthy. Engaging in frequent exercise and making sure your body is getting enough of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs will help you stay physically and mentally fit for a lifetime.

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Filed Under: Heart Health, Mood

Three Important Breakthroughs In Depression Research

Mar 13 by Ewcopywriting

Several depression research studies have linked this serious health condition to certain lifestyle habits and biological phenomena. Here, we will briefly touch on depression, as well as several important scientific studies that offer new insight into possible causes of depression and novel ways to minimize its deleterious effects.

What is Depression?

Three Important Breakthroughs In Depression Research 2Depression encompasses more than merely feeling down or being unhappy. This condition is a serious mental disorder that often causes significant life disturbances. In many instances, depression is precipitated by a chemical imbalance within the brain, brain trauma, other underlying medical illnesses or significant systemic hormonal imbalances.

There are several manifestations of depression which may be diagnosed. These include postpartum depression (which develops after a woman gives birth to a child), seasonal affective disorder (in which a stricken individual becomes depressed during seasonal periods, most often wintertime), psychotic depression (whereby afflicted persons experience depressive episodes along with other major mental maladies such as hallucinations or psychoses), dysthymia (in which a person experiences repeating depressive episodes over a period of at least two years and bipolar disorder (where those stricken experience extreme mood swings ranging from quite high to extremely low).

Symptoms of Depression

Depending upon the exact type of depression experienced and its severity, specific physical and mental manifestations can range from case to case. However, all forms of depression often share certain common manifestations that individuals should be on the lookout for including cognitive problems like concentration or memory difficulties, feelings of hopelessness and despair, potential thoughts of suicide, irritability, anger, frustration, restlessness, anxiety and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. Additionally, depression could precipitate numerous non-mental health related symptoms such as appetite loss or gain, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, systemic body aches and increased fatigue.

If left unchecked, depression could render the afflicted person incapable of performing simple everyday tasks such as performing a job or executing necessary household chores. In the most extreme instances, depression may result in more serious disability that may prevent one from executing even simple tasks such as bathing, dressing or preparing basic meals.

Depression Research Studies

Although on some occasions scientists are relatively certain as to what precipitates the brain-altering chemical fluctuations that cause depression, in other cases the answer continues to be a mystery. For this reason, intense research into depression is ongoing. Three clinical studies in particular just may shed light into previously unknown potential underlying factors of this condition and new ways to help affected individuals cope.

Dietary Alterations Affect Depression

In the first study, a team of English researchers discovered that the consumption of a diet rife with fiber and vegetables may help reduce the severity of depression symptoms. These scientists, who represent Manchester University, examined how such dietary amendments impacted nearly 46,000 people diagnosed with depression and who associated manifestations.

The vast majority of those investigated experienced some improvement of specific mental manifestations such as mood fluctuations. However, of particular significance is the fact that female subjects seemed to experience more significant mental health improvements than men. Research organizers are confident their findings could eventually pave the road for one day utilizing dietary changes as a more accepted form of depression treatment.

Gut Bacteria Imbalance Linked to Depression

Three Important Breakthroughs In Depression Research 1In a second study, a group of Belgian biologists found a significant link between an individual’s intestinal flora (also referred to as gut bacteria) and a person’s risk of developing depression.

The researchers, whom are employed by Leuven Venter for Microbiology, postulated that certain “neuroactive” digestive microorganisms emit substances that could impact the nervous system. To test their hypothesis, scientists created the Flemish Gut Flora Project, which studied the intestinal tracts of more than 1,000 individuals diagnosed with depression.

Examination administrators discovered that many of the test subjects’ digestive tracts were completely devoid of specific neuroactive bacteria that are thought to emit signals designed to help the nervous system perform at optimal levels. The researchers thereby concluded that limited bacterial diversity within the digestive tract might be a legitimate precipitating factor for the onset of depression.

Individuals with limited bacterial gut growth or an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria may be able to correct this issue through the use of probiotic supplements geared towards stimulating the growth of healthy intestinal flora.

Unique Tryptophan and 5-HTP Formulation May Offer Hope

In a third study, a collection of European scientists found that the administration of therapeutic preparations containing specific concentrations of timed-release tryptophan and fast-release 5-hydroxotryptophan (5-HTP) could play a significant role in soothing some of the physical and mental symptoms of depression.

Together, these substances influence the brain’s production and secretion of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is strongly believed to play a critical role in the development of improved mood and general feelings of well-being.

In the study, researchers placed 140 test subjects (70 men and 70 women) into seven separate groupings and administered various dosages containing either the special combination of tryptophan and 5-HTP or placebos to the participants twice daily for approximately one month. Scientists concluded that those who received the tryptophan and 5-HTP formulation experienced an increased production of serotonin and an improvement in mild to moderate incidents of depressive episodes and related symptoms.

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Filed Under: Cognition, Diet & Nutrition, Mood

The Unlikely Connection Between Gut Bacteria and Mental Disorders

Feb 14 by Ewcopywriting

Could mental disorders like dementia be connected to gut bacteria? This seemingly unlikely correlation may not be so far-fetched: New research suggests that an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria could be one of the possible causes of dementia, a mental condition that primarily affects the elderly.

Gut Bacteria and Dementia Defined

The Unlikely Connection Between Gut Bacteria and Mental Disorders 1The gut’s microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms which include approximately a thousand diverse types of known bacteria. The human intestines are brimming with these “friendly” bacteria, and nearly a third of the various gut bacteria we each carry are also present in others. However, the remaining two-thirds are specific to each individual, meaning no two people share an entirely identical microbiome. Furthermore, humans aren’t innately born with gut bacteria — it is only acquired over time.

Despite the negative connotations associated with bacteria, gut microbiota aren’t all that bad. In fact, they are responsible for quite a few functions in our bodies. First off, these bacteria are crucial for the proper digestion of the food we eat. The gut microbiome also plays an important role in our immune system. Essentially, a balanced and maintained gut microbiome is necessary for optimal digestion and immune system function.

Dementia, on the other hand, isn’t exactly a disease, but it is a collection of symptoms typically experienced by the elderly. Dementia is characterized by a person’s inability to perform cognitive tasks, along with massive degradation of memory. Other common symptoms of dementia include impaired reasoning, judgment and communication skills, the inability to focus and impaired visual perception. Most of dementia’s symptoms affect the brain. Although it has been known of and researched for years, there’s a lot we’ve yet to learn about dementia, including how it actually begins.

Considering the dissimilarities between the areas affected by mental disorders like dementia and the topic of gut bacteria and digestion, it may be surprising that there is a potential link between the two.

Gut Bacteria as a Guide for the Diagnosis And Treatment Of Dementia

The naturally occurring bacteria in our body have been examined as part of a broader scope when it comes to treating diseases. With this principle in mind, Dr. Naoki Saji, along with researchers from the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Obu, Japan, headed up a new study centered on gut bacteria. The group presented their findings at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2019 in February 2019.

To conduct the study, the researchers recruited the help of 128 patients from their own memory clinic. Of the participants, 59 percent were female and the average age was 74. The patients were assisted in completing various tests that measured cognitive ability. Furthermore, some of the participants had dementia while others did not. To shed light on the role of gut bacteria in dementia, the researchers analyzed fecal samples from the respondents.

Surprisingly, the researchers found significant differences in the bacterial populations from the subjects with dementia versus those who do not have it. The common pattern observed was that the patients with dementia had elevated levels of specific bacteria such as indole, skatole, phenol, ruminococcus and ammonia. Furthermore, the dementia patients also had lower levels of good bacteria called bacteroides.

The big takeaway from the findings is that in the future, a patient’s fecal matter may possibly be used to determine whether or not he or she has dementia. Since the bacteria count in the dementia patients was similar among participants, it could theoretically be used as a diagnostics tool in the future. Of course, this concept will need more research before being commonly utilized in a clinical setting.

Gut Bacteria Also Linked to Other Mental Conditions

The Unlikely Connection Between Gut Bacteria and Mental Disorders 2Beyond the findings from Dr. Saji and his team, researchers from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium have also found a link between gut bacteria composition and clinical depression. According to the researcher’s findings, published in Nature Microbiology, most of the gut bacteria in our body are able to create neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. The researchers also figured out that people who have been diagnosed with depression lacked two specific strains of bacteria.

The study is still in its early stages, but considering the large amount of recent research dedicated to gut health, the new findings are sure to bolster the idea that gut bacteria have more to do than just help with the digestive process.

In a case similar to Dr. Sajia and his team’s findings, there is a chance that fecal matter and a person’s gut bacteria can be used in the future to diagnose clinical depression. If more research is conducted, there is also a chance that the findings could be turned into a possible treatment for depression.

The research from Dr. Saji and his team has the potential to change the way doctors diagnose and treat dementia. Hopefully, the team finds more success in the coming months and we will see new developments regarding this scientific breakthrough.

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Filed Under: Cognition, Diet & Nutrition, Digestive Health, Mood

Optimism Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Jan 31 by Ewcopywriting

If you don’t have diabetes, you likely know someone who does have it — and you may even be at risk of developing the condition later in life. This is because diabetes is serious health concern that has become more common with the passage of time. When the Center for Disease Control started tracking the illness in 1958, they found that only one percent, or 500,000, people in the U.S. had been diagnosed with diabetes. By 2015, that percentage had risen to 9.4 percent of the U.S. population; a number which includes 30.2 million adults in addition to children affected by early development of the condition.

Optimism Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk 1In the 20 year span from 1990 through 2010, the CDC calculated that the number of diabetics tripled. Additionally, they found that twice as many people were being diagnosed with the disease from one year to the next. While anyone can develop diabetes, the risks increase with age. The recent CDC report highlighted the percentage of people living with diabetes within each age group:

  • 18-44 years – 4 percent
  • 45-64 years – 17 percent
  • 65 years and up – 25.2 percent

We already know that modifiable factors, such as eating habits, exercise and physical fitness, can affect the risks of developing diabetes. Conversely, there are risk factors, such as genetics, age and race, which cannot be changed. We’re learning more each year about how certain factors either raise or decrease the risks of developing diabetes. Now, a new study has revealed that one’s mindset also plays a part.

Can a Positive Attitude Affect Diabetes Risk?

Research has suggested that diabetes and depression are closely related. People who frequently experience the symptoms of depression are also more prone to develop incident-related diabetes. Individuals who report frequent feelings of cynicism or hostility have also been found to have a higher risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, studies revealed that these same emotions may also cause post-menopausal women to experience more severe metabolic syndrome symptoms.

While these previous studies examined the negative effects of emotions on physical health, a new study sought to evaluate how positive emotions affected diabetes. Researchers gathered data from the WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) in an effort to evaluate how strong positive emotions affected blood sugar levels in post-menopausal individuals. Juhua Luo, Ph.D., out of Bloomington’s Indiana University, was the senior author of the paper, which was recently published in Menopause magazine.

Dr. Luo and his team examined records for 139,924 subjects. The earliest records for these women indicated that each subject was post-menopausal and had not yet been diagnosed with diabetes. The study followed these subjects through clinical check-ups across a 14-year time span. By the end of the study, research showed that 19,240 of the women developed type 2 diabetes.

Going further, the research team separated the women by personality traits. In doing so, they found that women with a more optimistic mindset were 12 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Women with more negative emotions were found to have 9 percent greater risk of developing the illness, while those women shown to possess the most hostile emotions had a 17 percent higher risk of developing diabetes. The only factor that mitigated this increased risk was obesity: Overweight women were less affected by hostility and negative emotions when it came to diabetes risk.

This research also suggested that women who experience hostility and negative emotions throughout their lives may still reduce their risk of developing diabetes. By seeking out mental health treatment for frequent negative emotions, not only can women reduce their risks of diabetes, they can also improve their overall mindset.

Preventing or Reversing Type 2 Diabetes is Possible

Optimism Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk 2The bottom line: If you really want to lower your diabetes risk, it’s necessary to make changes in your life now. While people are often born with type 1 diabetes, a condition in which your body isn’t making insulin, type 2 diabetes, a condition that involves your cells’ inability to properly process the insulin, develops over time and its development is often influenced by lifestyle choices.

Just as poor lifestyle habits can promote the onset of type 2 diabetes, healthier choices can help control or prevent the condition. The first step to take is to change your diet. Diabetes concerns your body’s inability to process sugar or glucose, so limiting your sugar intake is essential. In addition to the obvious sugary foods and beverages, you should also limit or eliminate your intake of refined carbs. Once ingested, refined carbs are broken down into sugars and stored for use, which causes a spike in blood sugar levels.

Additionally, you should be getting a sufficient level of exercise each day. Doctors recommend a minimum of moderate to high-intensity exercise in 30-minute daily intervals. The physical activity will increase insulin sensitivityin your body’s cells, making it easier for you to process glucose. While 30 minutes is recommended, getting more exercise will only help your body become more sensitive to insulin.

You might also consider taking a daily supplement to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within normal ranges. If you choose to add a supplement to your daily routine, look for one that provides ingredients such as chromium picolinate, vanadium and fenugreek.

Before making any lifestyle changes, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your doctor. He may have more recommendations for you that directly relate to your situation. Even when developing type 2 diabetes is not avoidable, making these lifestyle changes can help you live better with the condition.

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Filed Under: Blood Sugar/Glucose Metabolism, Menopause, Mood, Women's Health

Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Physical Health

Jan 17 by Ewcopywriting

Millions of people deal with mental concerns such as depression and anxiety on a daily basis. A great deal of the research on these illnesses have focused on their effects on mental health and lifestyle. According to experts, they also can have a dramatic effect on physical health. In fact, the physical effects of depression and anxiety can be as serious and far-reaching as risk factors like smoking and obesity.

Depression and Anxiety: A Growing Pandemic

Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Physical Health 2Depression and anxiety are growing problems in the modern world. Depression, which is defined as a low mood along with fatigue, inability to enjoy normally enjoyable activities and physical symptoms such as pain and loss of appetite, affects around 216 million people in the world. Another 40 million people in the United States alone suffer from anxiety, a persistent feeling of worry and dread.

Although these mental illnesses are very different, they often have a similar cause. People with these mood disorders have been found to have low levels of serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters that can affect mood. These neurotransmitters also have a sizeable effect on physical health.

The Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Physical Health

The most obvious symptoms of mood disorders are (unsurprisingly) their effect on mood. However, there is significant evidence that they can have other effects as well, both mental and physical.

In a recent study, researchers looked at a group of more than 15,000 people. They collected intensive health data, including whether they had been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. When they compared the health of people with mood disorders to the group of people not suffering from anxiety or depression, the results were astounding. The group with depression and anxiety had a much higher risk of serious health problems  — a significant difference comparable to being obese or smoking tobacco.

How much higher was the risk? People who had depression or anxiety had a 50 percent higher chance of developing high blood pressure. They were almost 65 percent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. They also were more likely to suffer chronic pain conditions, including an 87 percent increase in arthritis.

Clearly the chemical imbalances that underlie depression can cause a variety of other health problems as well. This underscores the importance of getting effective treatment as early as possible. However, that is a huge obstacle for many people with mood disorders.

The Challenges of Restoring Mental Health

Despite the common characteristics of anxiety and depression, there are huge challenges in treatment. The first-line pharmaceutical drug for these illnesses is the SSRI, a medication that increases serotonin levels in the body. However, more than half of people who take these drugs find that they are not completely effective. Combining medications with therapy, other medications or even natural supplements can help, but even this is not a guaranteed cure.

In addition, antidepressant medications can have a variety of unwanted side effects, including weight gain and lower libido. As a result, many people are turning to evidence-based natural remedies to help with both depression and anxiety.

Natural Help for Depression and Anxiety

Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Physical Health 1There are several natural remedies that have been found in clinical trials to positively affect mood and treat many of the unwanted symptoms of depression and anxiety. Increasing levels of tryptophan and 5-HTP has been proven to be helpful, as these are serotonin precursors that can be used as building blocks for this important neurotransmitter. Not only could a supplement that combines tryptophan and 5-HTP offer hope for those with depression and anxiety, but also may aid in a variety of physical complaints such as sleep concerns, maintaining a healthy weight, minor pain and other conditions that have been linked to mood disorders.

Can a simple and legal over-the-counter natural option help reduce the risk of the serious diseases associated with depression and anxiety? While there has been no research on this matter so far, it makes sense on an intuitive level. Mood disorders are caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters — an imbalance which also appears to increase the risk of physical illness. It makes sense that dealing with the root cause of this imbalance may benefit not just mood, but also the increased disease risks associated with certain mood disorders as well.

Even more importantly, supplements combining 5-HTP and tryptophan have fewer side effects. When combined with other lifestyle changes and quality therapy, a supplement containing 5-HTP and tryptophan may be an effective natural choice for maintaining a healthy mood.

As with all medical decisions, it is important to talk to your physician before changing your treatments. However, these supplements are showing immense promise for mood cnocerns, as well as the physical complaints caused by them. Although beating mood disorders can be a challenge, it is a challenge that you can face successfully with the right treatments and support.

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Filed Under: Mood, Stress & Relaxation

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