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| Dietary Supplements |
Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are produced from plants. Their manufacturers confirm that they treat many illnesses, including depression. Nevertheless, not much research has been done to claim their efficiency.
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of the most widely recognized herbal supplements for depression. This plant and its flowers include many chemicals, some of which are believed to be helpful. The work of St. John’s wort in the body remains unknown. One theory is that it may prevent nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, thereby reducing depression. St. John’s wort is used in some European countries as remedy for depression, although it is not available by prescription in the U.S. Some, but not all investigations have shown it to be efficient in treating mild to moderate cases of depression. St. John’s wort has had little or no effect in studies involving people with severe depression. Common side effects of St. John’s wort are dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, exhaustion and increased vulnerability to sunlight. It can also cooperate with other medications, including birth control pills, and affect the way the body gets rid of or metabolizes them.
SAM-e
S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAM-e) appeared in the United States in 1999, but has been widely used in some European countries for the treatment of arthritis and depression. SAM-e is a naturally occurring and important substance in the human body. It is most concentrated in the liver and brain. It plays an essential role in regulating serotonin and dopamine in the brain, two chemicals which effect mood. Some researches examining the efficiency of SAM-e for the treatment of depression have found it to be more effective than placebo (sugar pills) in relieving depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, SAM-e showed no better results, compared with prescription medications commonly used to treat depression. Another research involved patients with major depression who took SAM-e in addition to their prescribed antidepressants. Half of these patients showed some improvement and nearly half went into remission, no longer having any symptoms. Common side effects associated with SAM-e include nausea and constipation. As with any treatment, it’s essential to speak in detail with your doctor and only take the supplements under his or her supervision.
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