Depression is Not Good for Your Heart
Depression can be mystifying. Even though it has distinct signs, as any medical condition does, the way depression manifests may vary.
This article was brought to you by Truestar Health: The World's Most Comprehensive Nutrition, Fitness & Healthy Lifestyle Resource
Depression can be mystifying. Even though it has distinct signs, as any medical condition does, the way depression manifests may vary. Unlike the symptoms of redness and swelling with a sprained ankle, depression has no tangible symptoms. So often, depression is not recognized until it either leaves us or eventually worsens to the point where work tasks or social interactions become unmanageable.
A Broken Heart and Heart Health
The importance of getting help for depression or anxiety cannot be emphasized enough. Our thoughts have a direct impact on our overall health by creating a cascade of events that eventually determine bodily functions. For instance, simply thinking a happy thought allows our muscles to relax, the heart rate to slow down and blood pressure to drop as our feel good hormones increase. Similarly, worry, depression or anxiety elevates our stress hormone (cortisol), increases muscle tension and heart rate and depletes our happy hormones. Elevated cortisol levels are linked to osteoporosis, depression, memory loss, weakened immune system function, heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.
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Several studies have found a link between depression and an increase in the incidence of heart disease, including angina, heart attacks and arterial disease in both men and women. A study reported by the American Heart Association in May 2005 found that depressed men had higher levels of inflammatory markers associated with coronary heart disease than men who reported no symptoms of depression.
Signs of Depression
Like most things in life, an awareness of the problem must occur before a solution can be found. Depression symptoms may be experienced repeatedly over a few days, weeks or months at a time and can include:
changing sleep patterns – oversleeping or insomnia
weight gain or loss
loss of appetite or increased cravings for carbohydrates or sugar
repetitive negative thoughts or dwelling (ruminations)
increased use of alcohol or drugs
failing to find enjoyment in previously enjoyable activities
loss of motivation and withdrawal from friends and family
poor concentration – an inability to watch TV or read
mood swings
heightened anxiety
chronic low energy
sensitivity to rejection or paranoia
poor memory
Treatment Options for the Most Common Form of Depression
The most common form of depression, atypical depression, appears with mood swings, weight gain, carbohydrate cravings, fatigue, lethargy and increased sensitivity to rejection. Atypical depression is typically treated with SSRI medications (Prozac or Zoloft) that are not without side effects such as sexual dysfunction, increased appetite, intensified carbohydrate carvings and/or weight gain
Dr. John P. Docherty, President and CEO of Comprehensive NeuroScience Inc, and his associates have found a simple, affordable and safe alternative form of treatment. According to their study reported at the 2004 National Institutes of Mental Health, patients with atypical depression responded favorably to treatment with chromium picolinate, a mineral closely involved in healthy blood sugar balance and insulin response. (Note: Chromium picolinate is not available for sale in Canada. Supplements of chromium polynicotinate may be used as a replacement).
The study involved 113 patients who were given 600 mcg of chromium picolinate daily for eight weeks. Mood swings, carbohydrate cravings, fatigue and the perception of weight gain markedly improved. In this group, those participants with the strongest carbohydrate cravings experienced the most significant improvement in symptoms with chromium supplementation.
Researchers suggest that these patients may have responded to treatment with chromium because of its action on insulin as it influences serotonin activity in the brain. Serotonin is our happy hormone involved in improving mood, memory, food cravings, appetite regulation and healthy sleep patterns. Not surprisingly, as serotonin levels decline, there is a natural increase in the incidence of depression and cravings for carbohydrates. Dr. Docherty took these results one step further and recommended that mental health professionals should recognize carbohydrate cravings as a possible sign of a more serious underlying medical condition such as atypical depression.
Comprehensive Treatment for Depression Offers the Most Success
There is a well known link between excess carbohydrate consumption and weight gain with heart disease and/or diabetes. It is also safe to conclude that most depressed patients with carbohydrate cravings and weight gain should take chromium supplements. Successful treatment of depression should also include proper nutrition, exercise and additional supplementation .
Exercise: Aerobic exercise has documented benefits in the treatment and prevention of depression. It reduces anxiety, improves mental clarity and is most beneficial if consistently completed at a minimum of 24 hours to a maximum of 48 hours apart.
Supplements: Fish oils (particularly higher in EPA) have documented benefits on depression and anxiety. The dose should be four to six grams per day. To increase serotonin, five HTP supplements may be effective at doses of 50 to 400mg per day.
Nutritional recommendations for depression: Strict avoidance of sugar, caffeine, alcohol and attention to food allergies or sensitivities (often wheat) is highly recommended because of the negative effects these food sources have on brain chemistry. Depression is known to increase stress hormones in the body. You should also avoid skipping meals because this causes physical stress on the body and exacerbates anxiety or depression symptoms. Stable blood sugars must be maintained by eating a combination of lean protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates every three to four hours. For example, an apple with a handful of almonds is a good snack choice while salmon, brown rice and steamed or stir-fried vegetables creates a nutritious meal.
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