Naperville Integrated Wellness

NAPERVILLE'S TOP RATED LOCAL® FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FACILITY

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THE EPIDEMIC

Millions of Americans take antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication on a daily basis.

Why is this happening? Are there natural alternatives for depression? 

How does a depressed state affect the body as a whole? Perhaps you might consider a better question, how does the state of the body affect depression and anxiety?

There are several health issues that may be at the root of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, many doctors never address the causes of these conditions, but rather prescribe medication to treat the symptoms.

Brain chemical (neurotransmitter) imbalances have reached epidemic proportions in this country. When key neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine or GABA) are not produced in sufficient quantities by the brain, the consequences can be devastating to quality of life. Depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD and many other disorders are linked to neurotransmitter imbalances. 

Functional Medicine and Depression/Anxiety

How does a functional medicine depression doctor evaluate and treat these conditions?

Since neurotransmitter issues can be a cause, we will begin by looking at what causes neurotransmitters to become out of balance. To answer this, let’s get back to my earlier question. How does the state of the body affect depression and anxiety?

One factor that may be affecting brain function (and therefore neurotransmitter production and function) is blood sugar dysregulation.  By this I mean low blood sugar or hypoglycemia or high blood sugar or hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance which is a consequence of long-standing high blood sugar

Brain Health and Proper Nutrition 

Another important factor in assessing brain health is adequate nutrition. This not only includes appropriate dietary choices but also optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients. Without this, the brain cannot make the transmitters needed for proper brain function.

In addition to or complicated by the abovementioned is stress. One cannot underestimate the impact of stress (both physical and mental) on the function of the brain and the body as a whole. Addressing stress and adopting mechanisms to minimize the impact of stress on the body is critical.

Even if the abovementioned items are addressed, one must also consider poor blood flow (oxygen) to the brain as a potential consideration in both anxiety and depression. 

One other factor I want to mention is brain inflammation. There are many reasons for inflammation, and this will not be covered in this article.  It is, however, a significant area that needs to be addressed if one hopes to get to the root cause of anxiety and depression.

Let’s consider the following.  If a person’s brain does not have appropriate glucose (blood sugar), proper nutrition, sufficient oxygen, etc. it is likely the brain will not be able to produce enough neurotransmitters to function optimally.  If a person is constantly dealing with a high amount of physical or emotional stressors, this will also impact brain function.

While science and medicine do not completely understand the cause of depression and anxiety, we do know that optimizing the levels of neurotransmitters can bring about significant improvement. While traditional treatment usually consists of prescribing antidepressant medication, functional medicine depression doctors look to support all the factors that underly brain function.

It is important to note that a functional medicine approach does not require the use of antidepressant medication; nor does it carry the potentially devastating side-effects and dependency that antidepressants do. 

Am I depressed because I have a serotonin deficiency?

Is depression and anxiety merely the consequence of a serotonin deficiency? For most people, the answer to that question is not a simple yes or no.  Serotonin is a vital ingredient to a well-functioning brain. However, it is much too simplistic to state that all cases of depression stem from a serotonin deficiency.  See section below for ways to support healthy brain function.

Are there other neurotransmitters that affect brain function (and therefore depression and anxiety)?  The answer is a resounding YES.  Let’s consider dopamine for example.  It is involved with regulating mood, attention, and learning, and drives the pleasure centers of the brain. Dopamine is a key player in emotional health!  Many people with poor dopamine activity suffer from depression and anxiety.

What about other neurotransmitters? Another neurotransmitter that plays a role in anxiety is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Imbalances in this neurotransmitter can be the cause of feelings of anxiousness, dread, inner tension, restlessness of the mind, overwhelm with no apparent reason, and disorganized attention.  These symptoms can often complicate an already existing state of depression.

One thing to note is that when it comes to supplementation, taking neurotransmitter support may not have the intended effect for each person.  It is important to seek the advice of a qualified health professional to properly assess and treat your symptoms.

Traditional Medicine vs Functional Medicine Approach to Depression & Anxiety

Let’s compare antidepressant medication and an integrated medicine approach which utilizes key nutrients to establish optimum neurotransmitter balance.

Standard Medical Approach to Depression

Antidepressants: common antidepressants include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro. These drugs are referred to as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) because they increase serotonin activity in the brain. While they do not increase levels of serotonin, they do block the reabsorption and destruction of serotonin in the brain.

natural-antidepressantCommon side-effects include but are not limited to:

  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Headaches

Are there negative long-term effects of: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil or Lexapro? 

WARNING: Why SSRIs have a strong effect on people under 25.

There are serious risks for people under the age of 25 who take SSRIs. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has published SSRI warnings and the FDA has also issued its own warnings that there is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults up to the age of 25.

Antidepressants do help many people, there are also risks to one’s health.  In addition, long term use of SSRIs includes excess serotonin or building a tolerance to the medication.

Alternative Natural Therapy

Are there vitamins and supplements for depression? Yes, but not all depression is solved by mere supplementation.

As discussed above, SSRIs help a serotonin-deficient brain work better. The functional medicine approach to a brain that is lacking serotonin is to help it make more serotonin. SSRI’s do not increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, but some supplemental nutrients can. When serotonin levels are increased to the optimum amount, the brain once again functions properly, relief of symptoms is achieved and there are no side-effects.

Many people have tried supplements like tryptophan and 5-HTP to balance their serotonin levels, but few achieve the relief they were hoping for. There are several reasons for this including poor supplement quality, taking the wrong amounts, lack of supporting nutrients for serotonin production and failing to balance other neurotransmitters that work with serotonin (norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA). Attempting to balance neurotransmitters should be done under the guidance of a professional who understands the complexity of these brain chemicals.

What are some ways you can support healthy brain function NOW?

Here are some first steps you can take:

Take charge of your diet.

This is simple yet it is complicated.  There are so many resources that claim to have the best diet for you.  But the best diet for one person may not be the best diet for another.  Seeking out a qualified physician may be the best way to determine the best diet for you.  However, there are some steps you can take on your own to improve your diet.  Avoid processed foods and sugar. By doing this, you will avoid many of the inflammatory foods that can contribute to depression and anxiety.

Get adequate sunlight

The production of serotonin is triggered by sunlight. Make every effort to get out in the sun when you can.  In the wintertime it may even help to get a full-spectrum light for your home.  Using full-spectrum light bulbs not only provides the correct amount of blue light to boost serotonin during the day but also helps you sleep better. Sleep pattern disturbances are linked with anxiety and depression.

Incorporate meditation into your day

This does not need to be challenging or intimidating. There is no way to meditate incorrectly. The key is to start small and meditate for a short span of time and work your way up.  There are many resources out there to help you to start a new practice, so just do it!

Movement and exercise will elevate mood and improve brain circulation

Today, we live such a sedentary lifestyle that we have lost a key activity that does much to improve emotional as well as physical health.  Start slow if you are not currently very active.  You may need to seek a doctor for a physical before you embark on a new exercise routine.  You may also want to hire a qualified trainer if you are unsure of how you should proceed.  Often, walking or biking is a great way to get yourself moving! 

Seek Medical Assistance

It may be important for you to seek the assistance of a qualified therapist to assist you in handling any trauma, PTSD, abuse or other emotional issues you may be struggling with.  Addressing depression often requires treating multiple factors as there is often more than one cause for your symptoms.

What is a functional medicine depression doctor?  It is important to seek out a qualified health professional who specializes in treating neurotransmitter imbalances.  This will give you the best opportunity to address the root cause of your depression or anxiety.

Find Your Alternative To Antidepressants with Functional Medicine Now

At Naperville Integrated Wellness, we have extensive training and experience in the balancing of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and GABA. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, please get the help you need. If you would like to manage your symptoms naturally or would like assistance in getting off an antidepressant, we can work with you and your prescribing physician.

For example, many people struggle or fail to get off antidepressants simply because they never addressed the underlying serotonin imbalance that caused them to start taking the drug in the first place.  If you are looking for a functional medicine doctor in Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Plainfield, Warrenville, Near North Side, Forest Glen, LisleAurora, Frankfort or Geneva, please contact us today!

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