Saturday, January 11, 2014

Safe and Natural Ways to Treat Depression During Pregnancy


We live in a stressful environment, we don't eat as healthy a diet as we should, and even though we are always rushing to and fro, we get very little beneficial exercise. No wonder so many people are on anti-depressants these days. While anti-depressants often alleviate symptoms, there are many people who can't take them. Is there another option other than taking prescription drugs for treating depression? I recommend holistic therapies combined with fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids to alleviate depression.

A mother of two was pregnant and feeling very down. Her physician recommended anti-depressants but this mother had a sensitivity to many medications and the side-effects often made her condition worse. She also feared what the consequences might be to her fetus if she took an anti-depressant medication while pregnant. Yet, her emotions and feelings were taking a toll on her, her husband, and her children. She was caught in a terrible bind. A friend recommended this expectant mom to me for holistic care.

She had heard that fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids may alleviate depression. Scientists now believe that these healthy fats are beneficial to the brain development of a healthy baby while in the womb. But, there was one problem. This mom had an allergy to fish! She believed that by eliminating the allergy and supplementing with the vitamin fish oil, she could have her sense of well being back again.

I have holistically treated patients with depression many times, and have seen their serotonin levels improve while their symptoms diminished or were totally alleviated. Approximately 70 percent of the body's serotonin comes from the gut or small intestines. If the brain isn't getting its fair share of serotonin, people will feel depressed. By reprogramming the message in the brain regarding serotonin, we can re-establish normal serotonin levels naturally and regain a sense of wellness. However, caring for this particular patient was my first experience treating the blues without attempting to balance serotonin levels.

It took a few sessions to naturally eliminate the fish allergy. There were no shots or medication involved. The patient's body was " reset " to not react - to fish. And it took the patient ten weeks of supplementing 1000 mg. of fish oil daily to disperse the overwhelming feelings of despondency.

Now the mom comes to our facility with her new baby as happy as can be. No postpartum depression or anxiety. And, she can eat grilled fish without any symptom.

Yes, there is a way to treat depression without drugs. Seeing a holistic practitioner may help you overcome underlying emotional connections, re-establish hormonal balance, and eliminate any nutritional allergy.
It is interesting that in the February 8th issue of Newsweek, it was reported that antidepressants are no more effective than placebos. That after 10 years of scientific research, it has been concluded that; taking a sugar pill or tic tac works as well as antidepressants.

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