Serotonin and Depression: Whats the Connection

Depression is one Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment the most common and treatable of all mental illnesses. One in four women and one in 10 men can expect to develop it during their lifetime. Studies have shown that people suffering from depression have imbalances of neurotransmitters, natural substances that allow brain cells to communicate with one another. Two neurotransmitters implicated in depression are serotonin and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea physical and emotional processes such as mental performance, emotional states and pain response. Virtually all functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters.

Serotonin is a key Sleep Apnea Cause with many important functions in the brain and body Serotonin deficiency is a common contributor to mood problems. Some feel it is an epidemic in the United States. Serotonin is key to our feelings of happiness and very important for our emotions because it helps defend against both anxiety and depression. Many of the current biochemical theories of depression focus on the biogenic amines, which are a group of chemical compounds important in neurotransmissionmost importantly norepinephrine, serotonin and, to a lesser extent, dopamine, acetylcholine and epinephrine.

What causes or contributes to Serotonin Deficiency?

Prolonged periods of stress can deplete serotonin levels. Our fast paced, fast food society greatly contributes to these imbalances.

Poor Diet. Neurotransmitters are made in the body from proteins. Also required are certain vitamins and minerals called cofactors. If your nutrition is poor and you do not take in enough protein, vitamins, or minerals to build the neurotransmitters, a neurotransmitter imbalance develops. We really do think and feel what we eat.

Genetic factors, faulty metabolism, and digestive issues can impair absorption and breakdown of our food which reduces are ability to build serotonin.

Toxic substances like heavy metals, pesticides, drug use, and some prescription drugs can cause permanent damage to the nerve cells that make serotonin and other neurotransmitters.

Certain drugs and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, NutraSweet, antidepressants, and some cholesterol lowering medications deplete serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels.

Hormone changes cause low levels of serotonin and neurotransmitter imbalances.

Lack of sunlight contributes to low serotonin levels

Symptoms. You may have a shortage of serotonin if you have a sad depressed mood, low energy, negative thoughts, feel tense and irritable, crave sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex.
Other serotonin related disorders include:

Depression

Anxiety

Panic Attacks

Insomnia

Irritable bowel

PMS/ Hormone dysfunction

Fibromyalgia

Obesity

Eating disorders

Obsessions and Compulsions

Muscle pain

Chronic Pain

Alcohol abuse

Migraine Headaches

How do I know if Serotonin is deficient?

Neurotransmitter testing, Questionnaires, and blood testing can help determine if you might have a serotonin deficiency. Certain test can determine if you have normal levels of the precursors and co-factor vitamins and minerals needed for the brain to produce serotonin. Additionally, hormones such as Adrenal, Thyroid, and Estrogen levels can affect serotonin levels and may explain why some women have pre-menstrual and menopausal mood problems.

How to raise serotonin levels naturally

Prescription drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Lexapro are classified as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or (SSRIs). They help to keep more of the serotonin your brain is making in circulation. They are used for a wide variety of symptoms such as depression, panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, obsessions, and compulsions. There are serotonin/norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Effexor and Cymbalta that keep more serotonin and norepinephrine in circulation.

Nutrient therapies such as Targeted Amino Acid Therapy naturally increase the levels of neurotransmitters that a person has been found to be deficient in. 5 hydroxytryptophan and Tryptophan are widely known for their ability to help depressive symptoms by raising serotonin levels in the brain.. Numerous clinical trials have studied the efficacy of 5-HTP for treating depression. One compared 5-HTP to the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine and found 5-HTP to be equally effective.

It can be used alone or in combination with medication to keep dosages low and to prevent the poop out many people experience with medication.

tryptophan > 5-HTP > serotonin

Herbal Remedies such as St. Johns Wort are available to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some work in a similar way to the SSRI antidepressants.

Things you can do to increase your serotonin levels and improve overall health

Exercise at least 30 minutes three times a week.

Walking, yoga, stretching.

Get plenty of sunlight.

Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily

Prayer and meditation

Eat at least three meals per day. Skipping meals promotes high stress and low energy. Eat protein with every meal. Eat Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice. Avoid sugar, junk food, white pasta, white rice, white bread, cookies and cake.

No Caffeine, alcohol, or NutraSweet (aspartame). NutraSweet can be toxic to your brain.
Alcohol can worsen depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Helpful Supplements

Multivitamin/multimineral daily

Fish Oil capsule EPA/DHA combined 2000mg daily

Serotonin raising supplements such as :

L-Tryptophan 1000 mg bedtime

5HTP 300 mg daily

Serene 3 capsules daily

Serotone 3 capsules daily

Valerie Balandra ARNP, BC is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and holistic health practitioner. Her website Integrative Psychiatry. Net focuses on ways to identify causes of depression and other mental health disorders. Neurotransmitter testing, hormone testing, and natural cures for depression and anxiety are offered. integrativepsychiatry.net"> integrativepsychiatry.net

How to Beat Anxiety and Panic Attacks Naturally

Having a Narcolepsy Sleep Apnea disorder is a very disabling condition because it interferes with Hypersomnia Sleep Apnea daily life. It occurs without a warning and no apparent reasons. It is usually accompanied with symptoms like shortness of breath, trembling, sweating, dizziness and extreme fear. It is important to know how to beat anxiety and panic attacks to put an end to your miseries.

Anxiety panic disorder can be stopped if given Sleep Apnea proper treatment. There are help available and things you can do to manage panic attacks and here are some helpful tips:

Healthy lifestyle. Changing your lifestyle and reducing stress will help you beat anxiety and panic attacks. Maintaining a healthy, less demanding and simpler lifestyle will create a well balanced mind and body. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are some of the changes that you need to do to take better control of your body and mind.

Learn to release tension and stress. There are meditation, relaxation techniques and stress management programs that you can do to release stress and beat anxiety and panic attacks. Relaxation helps you to de-stress and it promotes calmness. You can try yoga, deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation to help you eliminate stress and anxiety.

Get a support group. It is helpful to be around people who are emotionally supportive to help you beat anxiety and panic attacks. These people could be close friends, family and other people who can relate to your condition. Knowing you are not alone and there are loving and supportive people around will create a peace of mind on your part.

Be optimistic. You can beat anxiety and panic attacks if you think positively. Most sufferers experience extreme fear that something horrible is about to happen, which in most cases are all in their minds. Positive self-talk to re-assure yourself that nothing bad is going to happen will help you beat anxiety and panic attacks.

Seek professional help. If you think you cannot beat anxiety and panic attacks on your own, then seek professional help. There are a lot of help available for panic disorder. With the proper intervention and treatment, you can get rid of anxiety and panic attacks.

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Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including How to Beat Anxiety and Panic Attacks Naturally. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.