Unless you have experienced the crushing weight of severe depression, it is very difficult to understand, much less empathize with the individual battling this condition. Each year depression affects 5-8 percent of adults in the United States, which means about 25 million Americans will have an episode of major depression this year alone, with only half of those affected actually receiving any kind of treatment (Ken Duckworth, 2013). Counselors are encountering growing numbers of those falling prey to this sometimes debilitating condition, which render them ineffective in living their every day lives. This malady is not limited to any one type of person, but indiscriminately affects people of all beliefs and walks of life.
As a nutritional consultant, I see an increasing number of clients that are on or have been prescribed antidepressants. What's disappointing is the fact that studies show the ineffectiveness of these drugs in all but severe cases of depression, and even then their effectiveness is almost undetectable (Kirsch, et al., 2008) (Jay C. Fournier, 2010). Keep in mind, we are discussing depression and not bi-polar conditions, schizophrenia or other medical conditions.
Emotionally, depression presents itself as: constant sadness or an empty feeling, irritability, hopelessness, feeling worthless, guilty for no reason, and loss of interest in favorite activities. While physical symptoms are trouble sleeping, low energy or fatigue, significant weight change or appetite change (Lawrence Wilson M., 2014). Many of the people I work with are fighting depression, and it’s become a major concern for them. After getting results from a hair analysis, I find there are several reasons that can lead to this condition: lack of energy, toxic metals, poor nutrient levels and diet.
It is difficult to understate the effects of fatigue and exhaustion when it comes to depression. Everything is more difficult when your energy reserve is exhausted. The world itself becomes overwhelming. Every little wrinkle becomes a mountain and every small problem becomes an unbearable weight. Energy loss or fatigue is generally a result of a very slow acting thyroid and adrenal gland insufficiency. A lack of energy production can also be due to a low Potassium level, which is responsible to carry glucose (blood sugar) across the cell membrane into the cell to be used as fuel. People fighting depression usually drag themselves through the day grabbing anything that will stimulate their adrenals such as coffee, sugar, energy drinks, worry and even anger. But when energy levels are restored, life and its challenges are not so daunting and everyday responsibilities are met with resolve. Most people that use stimulants experience a brief reprieve, brief being the operative word. However, the main result is the irritation of an already tired adrenal gland and nervous system while depleting the system even more of necessary nutrients. The focus should be to restore those depleted nutrients by changing the diet to include a large portion of cooked vegetables and to avoid those foods that upset digestion such as wheat, fruits, sweets and all refined or overly processed food.
Toxic metals, as a cause of depression, devastate the body's energy system on many levels. These include the Krebs cycle, electron transport system, energy-producing glands and glucose handling systems of the body. These toxic metals replace vital minerals in enzyme binding sites, causing the normal function of the enzyme to be incomplete, making the eventual breakdown to the system, inevitable (Lawrence Wilson M. , Restoring the Bodies Energy System, 2013). I try to explain this to my clients by asking this question. "If you take a fine-tuned Ferrari and use Hyundai replacement parts, are you really expecting it to run right? If you do not keep the oil changed, the tires inflated and the proper fuel in the tank, how far do you think you'll be going in this car?" If the car is to run properly, it must have the right parts. A hair analysis allows us to see which minerals, involved in energy production, are deficient and/or out of balance, as well as what toxic metals need to be removed. This information helps us develop a proper diet and supplemental program that fits the individuals needs. This will result in a more efficient, energy producing system.
Detoxification is another important part of eliminating heavy metals and toxins from your body. I recommend two protocols that absolutely work the best: 1) A near infrared sauna 2) coffee enemas (everyone's favorite).
For millions, depression is a daily fight that seems to have no end. But, as we have seen there are causes that can be corrected through nutrition and detoxification protocols.
References
Jay C. Fournier, M. (2010, January 6). Antidepressant Drug Effects and Depression Severity. Retrieved from JAMA: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=185157#COMMENT
Ken Duckworth, M. (2013, April). What is depression? Retrieved from National Alliance of Mental Illness: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=depression
Kirsch, I., Deacon, B., Huedo-Medina, T., Scoboria,, A., Moore, T., & Johnson, B. (2008, Febuary 26). Initial Severity and Antidepressant Benefits: A Meta-Analysis of Data Submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from Plos Medicine: http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0050045
Lawrence Wilson, M. (2012, September). Anxiety and Panic Attacks. Retrieved from Cente For Development: http://drlwilson.com/Articles/ANXIETY.HTM
Lawrence Wilson, M. (2013, November). Restoring the Bodies Energy System. Retrieved from The Center for Developement: http://drlwilson.com/Articles/ENERGY.htm
Lawrence Wilson, M. (2014, August). DEPRESSION AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT. Retrieved from The Center for Developement: http://drlwilson.com/Articles/depression.htm
The Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014, Febuary 21). Depression (major depressive disorder). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/definition/con-20032977