OUR MAGNIFICENT BODIES
Depression
by Jenine Cohoon, MHN, PhDc

Depression is on the rise. About 20.9 million American adults are suffering from depression. It comes in different forms such as major depression, dysthymia (long term chronic symptoms that are not disabling) and bipolar disorder. Many do not seek treatment, but the vast majority that do seek treatment are being given medication. This may help for a while, but the cause of the depression is not addressed through medication.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Low serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter, is usually found to be the culprit of depression - or so say physicians. So, taking medication that helps to regulate serotonin may sound like a good idea but the real question is, "Why is serotonin low in depressed people?"

There are some real answers to the cause of depression, but, unfortunately, those answers are not found in the doctor's office. Through extensive research, depression and low serotonin levels can be linked to fungus (and yeast), vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and heavy metal poisoning.

Following an anti-fungal diet has been shown to reverse depression. Following this type of diet can also help rebalance vitamins and minerals within the body. When the body has proper nutrition, it can also detoxify naturally from such poisons as heavy metals. It all works together. Supporting the body with nutrition is key in the effort of reversing depression, and an anti-fungal diet is the place to start. An anti-fungal diet cuts out sugar, alcohol and soda, which are known substances that feed fungus and deplete the body of these key vitamins and minerals.

The main vitamin and mineral deficiencies that have been shown to lead to depression are calcium, copper, iron, niacin, pantothentic acid, potassium, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C and Zinc.

Being deficient in any of these nutrients can cause more than just depression:

• Signs of a Calcium deficiency
  Brittle nails, cramps, delusions, depression, insomnia, irritability, osteoporosis, palpitations, peridontal disease, rickets, tooth decay.
• Signs of a Copper deficiency
  Anemia, arterial damage, depression, diarrhea, fatigue, fragile bones, hair loss, hyperthyroidism, weakness
• Signs of an Iron deficiency
  Anemia, brittle nails, confusion, constipation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, inflamed tongue, mouth lesions.
• Signs of a Niacin deficiency
  Bad breath, canker sores, confusion, depression, dermatitis, diarrhea, emotional instability, fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, memory impairment, muscle weakness, nausea, skin eruptions and inflammation.
• Signs of a Pantothenic Acid (B5) deficiency
  Abdominal pains, burning feet, depression, eczema, fatigue, hair loss, immune impairment, insomnia, irritability, low blood pressure, muscle spasms, nausea, poor coordination.
  
  
• Signs of a Potassium deficiency
  Acne, constipation, depression, edema, excessive water consumption, fatigue, glucose intolerance, high cholesterol levels, insomnia, mental impairment, muscle weakness, nervousness, poor reflexes.
• Signs of a Pyridoxine (B6) deficiency
  Acne, anemia, arthritis, eye inflammation, depression, dizziness, facial oiliness, fatigue, impaired wound healing, irritability, loss of appetite, loss of hair, mouth lesions, nausea.
  
  
• Signs of a Riboflavin deficiency
  Blurred vision, cataracts, depression, dermatitis, dizziness, hair loss, inflamed eyes, mouth lesions, nervousness, neurological symptoms (numbness, loss of sensation, "electric shock" sensations), seizure, sensitivity to light, sleepiness, weakness.
• Signs of a Vitamin B-12 deficiency
  Anemia, constipation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, intestinal disturbances, headaches, irritability, loss of vibration sensation, low stomach acid, mental disturbances, moodiness, mouth lesions, numbness, spinal cord degeneration.
• Signs of a Vitamin C deficiency
  Bleeding gums, depression, easy bruising, impaired wound healing, irritability, joint pains, loose teeth, malaise, tiredness.
• Signs of a Zinc deficiency
  Acne, amnesia, apathy, brittle nails, delayed sexual maturity, depression, diarrhea, eczema, fatigue, growth impairment, hair loss, high cholesterol levels, immune impairment, impotence, irritability, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of sense of taste, low stomach acid, male infertility, memory impairment, night blindness, paranoia, white spots on nails, wound healing impairment.

We have to ask ourselves, "What is causing the deficiencies?" What are we eating, drinking and being exposed to that can compromise our bodies in this way?

The following is a partial list of what can deplete these key nutrients:

• Calcium is depleted by sugar, antibiotics, antacids, alcohol, caffeine diuretics and blood thinners.
• Copper can be depleted by too much iron.
• Iron is depleted by antibiotics, antacids.
• Niacin is depleted by alcohol and birth control pills.
• Pantothentic Acid (B5) is depleted by sugar, and birth control pills.
• Potassium is depleted by sugar, diuretics, and blood thinners.
• Pyridoxine (B6) is depleted by birth control pills, and Riboflavin is depleted by alcohol, antibiotics, diuretics.
• Vitamin B12 is depleted by birth control, antacids.
• Vitamin C is depleted by antibiotics, aspirin, alcohol.
• Zinc is depleted by alcohol, birth control pills, ACE Inhibitors, diuretics, blood thinners.

Other nutrient depleting causes are carbonated soda which can interfere with normal calcium metabolism and can draw calcium out of your bones; habitual drinking of liquids that are too hot, or regularly consuming coffee, commercial black tea or commercial pickles (made with toxic acetic acid) can cause inflammation of the digestive lining, resulting in a lowering of digestive enzymes and less absorption of vitamins and minerals from food; parasites stealing nutrition; and stress which can deplete the nutrient building blocks (such as vitamins C, B5, and B6, as well as magnesium, zinc and potassium) that your adrenal glands need to manufacture hormones.

To reverse not only depression and fungal infections, but also diabetes, skin conditions, cancer, respiratory illness, etc. - we need to replace the lost nutrients with high quality supplements, and probiotics. (Probiotics are especially essential when antacids, antibiotics or birth control pills have been used.) Higher doses than average may be necessary when replenishing the body. Eating healthy whole natural foods is also essential.

• Fungus Link Vol 2, Doug Kaufmann
• Total Wellness by Joseph Pizzorno, ND
• Literaturesearch
• Nutrition Tests for Better Health Dr. Cass Ingram
• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm#ptdep2

*DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to either directly or indirectly diagnose, give medical advice or prescribe treatment. Unless specifically referenced, the information has not been scientifically validated or approved by any government or regulatory agency. Please consult with your physician or other licensed health care professional for medical diagnosis and treatment.

Jenine Cohoon, MHN, PhDc