Depression Supplements

While there is no cure for a depressive disorder and only conventional methods of treatment that have been approved to treat the symptoms of depression, scientists and research studies suggest that there are some natural herbs and supplements that may be beneficial in treating the symptoms of depression.

Many scientific studies have been done that show a link between neurotransmitters or chemical imbalances in the brain and depression and it is believed that there are some natural herbs and supplements that can help in the regulating of these chemicals. While some of these natural supplements may be beneficial to some individuals, they should never be used as a replacement for conventional forms of treatment. 

St. John's wart, SAMe, Omega-3 fatty acids and Folate 

St. John's wort is very well known and has been widely used for the treatment of depression for many years and is actually prescribed in Germany for individuals who suffer from mild forms of depression. St.John's wort is a readily available over-the-counter dietary supplement and scientific studies have found that it can be helpful for some patients with mild depression, however, no scientific evidence has been found that St.

John's wart is beneficial in patients with major depression. SAMe or "S-adenosylmethionine" has also been found by medical experts to be effective in treating depression. In the United States SAMe is a dietary supplement, however, in Europe SAMe is available as a prescription medication for the treatment of depression. 

Many studies conducted have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have numerous health benefits as well as being beneficial for the symptoms of depression. Essential fatty acids are known to affect the level of chemicals in the brain that include serotonin and dopamine that play a significant roll in regulating moods. These omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold water fish including tuna and salmon and can also be purchased as a dietary supplement.

Clinical studies have shown that fifteen to thirty eight percent of individuals suffering from depression had low levels of folate in their system. These studies also showed that the treatment for depression was less effective with a low level of folate when using the antidepressant fluoxetine. Many medical experts recommend taking a multi-vitamin that includes folate and folic acid as this can be beneficial for the symptoms of depression. 

5-HTP 

Many clinical studies and scientific research has been done to test the effects of 5-HTP or "5-hydroxytryptophan" on patients suffering from depression. The results of many of these studies indicate that 5-HTP had effects that were similar to the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine.

5-HTP has been linked to the production of the brain chemical serotonin and is sold in the United States as an over-the-counter dietary supplement as a sleep aid, appetite suppressant, and antidepressant. It is important to note that no dietary supplements are regulated or approved by the FDA and that the use of some herbs and nutritional supplements can produce serious side effects when taken in combination with other medications including antidepressant medications used in the treatment of depression.