This Journal features current research and views on depression, which is now one of the most common afflictions in our society.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is now the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44. MDD affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year.
While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5 years.
Current pharmaceutical treatment paradigms are often ineffective since they do nothing to improve and deal with the underlying genetic, biochemical, and psychoemotional concerns. Furthermore, drug intervention attempts are often fraught with major problems, as some of the information in this writing reveals.
In my daily research I study from sources who I consider to be good researchers and assimilators of the enormous growing body of natural health related information. It is not possible to read and keep up with the volume of daily information in the field of holistic functional medicine. I have learned to narrow my focus to what I consider to be the best and most relaible writers and dissminators of information in the functional medicine field.
The term “functional medicine” refers to the management of health conditions through natural biochemical and lifestyle modifications. Our bodies and mental/emotional being are designed with natural healing ability. We just need to support our own natural healing abilities. Often, we just need to get out of the way of our own natural healing by desisting from negative lifestyle habits, and by incorporating natural healthy lifestyle habits.
The information sources I read on a regular basis are collected from sources which are reliably researched and written to present factual information.
Here are 5 recent links to helpful articles and information which appeared within the last 2 weeks:
Article #1… The Empowering Neurologist–David Perlmutter, M.D., and Kelly Brogan, M.D.
This 53 minute video breaks the ice about shifting paradigms needed to change the current treatment paradigms for depression. These physicians are 2 of our best natural health thought leaders. They consistently speak with clear critical thinking about the latest best research. This video interview will help reorient you to a more expansive way of using lifestyle to assist your own natural healing abilities; especially healing depression. I have the highest regard for Dr. Perlmutter and Dr. Brogan. This interview is very informative and is highly recommended.
Article #2…New study demonstrates the association between EPA and DHA blood concentrations and depression
This interesting report is from the Research Group at Designs for Health…”In a new study published last Wednesday in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers demonstrated that higher red blood cell concentrations of EPA and DHA are associated with a decrease in depressive treatment.”
EPA and DHA are the 2 principle fats in the omega 3 line of fatty acid metabolism. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are long-chained omega-3 fats found in cold-water fatty fish like wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, anchovies and certain other sea creatures, including krill. Our body’s biochemistry cannot make EPA and DHA in amounts significant enough to create a treatment effect. We have to ingest these fatty acid directly.
These fats are commonly available to consumers as fish oil supplements. Designs for Health (DFH) is one of the few nutritional supplement companies which offers the more efficiently absorbed triglyceride bound form of fish oils in their impressive suite of omega 3 and 6 supplements. Furthermore, DFH fish oils are distilled and purified to remove heavy metals, PCBs, and other environmental toxins.
EPA and DHA are anti-inflammatory and are essential components for healthy cell membranes. It has been said that the cell membrane is the brain of the cell since it controls all of the biochemical information which passes in and out of the cell, as well as the nuclear membrane which is the gatekeeper for DNA health, DNA expression, and DNA repression.
Article #4…Gut Bacteria and Their Role in Depression
Dr. Perlmutter presents research information from the journal Nature Microbiology, February, 2019, entitled The neuroprotective potential of the human gut microbiota in quality of life and depression.
As stated by Dr. Perlmutter, “Higher quality of life indicators were consistently correlated with higher levels of two types of organisms, Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus. Interestingly, these are organisms that are known to produce the short chain fatty acid butyrate and are known to be associated with reduced inflammation as well.”
Stool analysis to determine a wide array of fecal chemistries and microbial population balances, or lack thereof, is now a very important laboratory assay to use in the management of a variety of health conditions, depression included. Hippocrates was known for having said that all diseases begin in the gut. It is beginning to appear that he was correct in offering this wisdom some 2500 years ago.
Designs for Health has one of the best arrays of digestion and gut health nutritional products available.
Crestone and Beyond
New research on depression is now mounting in groundswells. I attempted a Journal writing on Depression in August, 2014, in the wake of actor Robin Williams’ death. The beloved Hollywood actor took his own life in the wake of seemingly endless trials of innumerable pharmaceuticals which offered him no relief, and may have further altered his condition in a negative fashion. This Journal writing considers biochemical factors which influence mental health, as well as brief and important considerations in mind, emotions, and spirit.
The source of our depression epidemic lies in childhood events in what has been aptly labeled as Adverse Childhood Events. Here is a good writing on this important subject. Unresolved childhood trauma continues to skew the psyche and its supporting biochemistry. Most people in this society carry some degree of residual post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has typical manifestations.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed after a person experiences symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic event. However symptoms may not appear until several months, or even years later. PTSD disorder is characterized by three main types of symptoms:
- Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event such as in flashbacks and nightmares.
- Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma.
- Increased arousal responses such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feeling on edge, and being easily irritated and angered.
Conclusion
I’ll conclude with a short writing from another of my favorite health writing sources, Chris Kresser. Kresser is one of the better critical thinkers and natural health thought leaders. Here is a short writing he posted on September 3, 2019, entitled “What Einstein knew but we’ve forgotten.” This writing considers the resistance people put up to new and innovative thinking and shifting paradigms. As they say, “If you are not up on it, you are down on it.”
Here is Kresser’s writing…
“I’m reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Einstein. It’s a treat for me because it blends two of my favorite genres: biography and physics.
Einstein is famous for his scientific prowess. But he was also a deep and critical thinker in other areas. He knew from his own experience that blindly adhering to the status quo—whether in physics, medicine, or any other discipline—is foolish and shortsighted.
One of my favorites of his many famous quotes reflects this:
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.
Einstein spent most of the first half of his life challenging and eventually overturning dominant paradigm theories in physics and related branches of science. Although at times his willingness to challenge authority caused problems for him, it was also one of the driving forces behind his breathtaking scientific leaps.
Einstein was not alone in this. By definition, every scientific or medical pioneer—from Newton to Copernicus to Pasteur to Lister—achieved their breakthroughs by challenging and questioning the “sacred cow” beliefs in their fields. We celebrate these mavericks in history books and the media. We recognize that scientific progress wouldn’t be possible without this revolutionary spirit.
And yet, when a scientist or researcher in our present time challenges our deeply held beliefs, we don’t celebrate or encourage that person—we reject and even vilify them.
We think that somehow, against common sense, it’s different this time.
Sure, those people in the past might have been wrong, and we’re glad the pioneers were there to find the truth.
But this time, we’ve got it all figured out! We know all of the answers, and there’s no chance at all that we might be wrong.
This is not only ridiculously shortsighted and the “enemy of truth,” as Einstein said, but it’s also downright dangerous.
When we’re not willing to question even our most deeply held beliefs, we stagnate. We shut down any chance of the kind of inquiry that leads to new discoveries and helps us grow and make progress.
And with the challenges we’re facing today, we simply can’t afford not to continue learning and evolving.”
Thank you for reading this Journal entry.
Signing off form Crestone and Beyond
Related Reading and References…this listing will be expanded over time, and so please check back in the future.
- The End of Mental Illness…a June 7, 2020 interview of Dr. Daniel Amen by Dr. David Perlmutter centered around Dr. Amen’s new book, The End of Mental Illness. “Dr. Amen draws on the latest findings of neuroscience to challenge an outdated psychiatric paradigm and help readers take control and improve the health of their own brain, minimizing or reversing conditions that may be preventing them from living a full and emotionally healthy life.” This is an informative 42 minute interview.
- Understanding the Teen Brain…from the Research Group at Designs for Health…”Teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that impact their health such as substance use, sexual behavior, and suicidality. Suicide alone is the second leading cause of death in all teenagers, following unintentional injury. The teen brain is uniquely different from an adult brain. The prefrontal cortex (a primary region that determines behaviors) does not complete maturation until almost 24 years of age. This knowledge can then support parents and caregivers in knowing how to help guard against unhealthy behaviors in teens while fostering maturity and healthy outcomes.”
- Depression, anxiety rising among US college students…an August 29, 2019 report from Reuters. The rate of US college students reporting moderate to severe anxiety increased from 17.9% in 2013 to 34.4% in 2018; the prevalence of severe depression increased from 9.4% to 21.1% during the same period; 1.8% of college youths attempted suicide in 2018, compared with 0.7% in 2013. The reference is from the 8-2019 Journal of Adolescent Health.
- The Lonely Burden of Today’s Teenage Girls…this WSJ article (8-15-19) highlights a serious and growing problem brought to us by social media. The authors interviewed about 100 girls aged 12–19, and their mothers, and discovered:
- Thirty-six percent of girls report being extremely anxious every day.
- Teens spend six to nine hours a day online.
- Seventy-two percent of teens feel manipulated by tech companies into remaining constantly connected.
- Emotional Intelligence, Shadow Fear, Part I, Part II…GABA, Part III…Mental Strength…a collection of my writings from 2014 which considers anxiety, which is now just as big of a social epidemic as depression is.
- Why Is Emotional Intelligence Important?…a writing by Chris Kresser from October 3, 2019, on the five key components of emotional intelligence, and how it can improve your health, professional performance, and personal relationships.
- Changes in the consumption of antiepileptics and psychotropic medicines after starting low dose naltrexone: A nation-wide register-based controlled before-after study…Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is effective in treating a wide array of disorders; from autoimmune diseases to neuropsychiatric problems. Dr. Guttorm Raknes and Dr. Lars Småbrekke of Norway found that continuous LDN use (4 months or longer) was correlated with significant reductions in the use of antiepileptics, antipsychotics and antidepressants.
- Association of Optimism With Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis…a 9-27-19 article from JAMA Network Open found that those with a positive outlook had a 35% reduction in cardiovascular events, an 18% reduction in early mortality and an improvement in neuroplasticity. What we think, how we feel, and how we respond to life has a direct and measurable impact on our physiology—and thus on our health and our lifespan.
- Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Happiness…best selling psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, helps us have a better life experience by learning to rewire our brains. “Dr. Hanson’s four steps build strengths into your brain to make contentment and a powerful sense of resilience the new normal. In just minutes a day, you can transform your brain into a refuge and power center of calm and happiness.”
- The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science…Dr. Norman Doidge, MD, provides “an introduction to both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they’ve transformed.”
- Darkness, Gaining New Traction…a short writing from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations series about the value of dark times in our lives, and overcoming them.
- I spent half my life on antidepressants. Today, I’m off medication and feel all right…33 year old Brooke Siem teaches people how to get off of antidepressants. Posted here on 1-11-20, from The Washington Post.
- New study investigates probiotic benefits on cognitive function in children and adolescents…”This study demonstrates that probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and the first year of life may reduce the risk of developing ADHD or Asperger’s syndrome by its effects on the gut microbiome and commensal bacteria via the gut-brain axis.”
- Probiotics Value Beyond Digestive Health…a variety of benefits of probiotics are covered in this summary.
- Balance Bacteria with Spore-Based Probiotics…Spore-based probiotics are soil-based microorganisms that are formed from spores and found in dirt and vegetation. Unlike most traditional probiotics which are similar to those naturally found in the human GI tract such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, spore-based probiotics derived from Bacillus species are delivered as dormant spores. The benefits of spore-based probiotics are reviewed in this article.
- Gut Microbiome May be Linked to Personality and Social Behavior…the gut microbiome affects personality, social behavior and even neuroticism.
- Functional Psychiatry: Treating Common Conditions with the Functional Approach…a recent NYT article “When Will We Solve Mental Illness?” stimulates Chris Kresser to pose an excellent extended article about neuropsychiatric illness, its causes, and the many natural healing methods that can be used to help the various forms of mental illness. This is an important contribution and is highly recommended. Posted here on 2-14-20.
- Stress and Heart Rate Variability: A Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature…a March, 2018 publication in Psychiatry Investigations. “In conclusion, the current neurobiological evidence suggests that HRV is impacted by stress and supports its use for the objective assessment of psychological health and stress.” Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is probably the most valuable of the vital signs, and is certainly the least well known vital sign. A healthy HRV indicates a healthy autonomic nervous system.
- I have previously written about brain health on the website. Naturally, the health of the brain and central nervous system is of principle importance in neuropsychiatric disorders. These writings are listed below: