Dr. Amy Emch's Blog » Depression

DHEA should be used with caution

Dr. Amy — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:54:38 +0000

Hormones are messenger molecules that influence the function of cells and tissues all over the body. DHEA and cortisol are the body’s long-acting stress hormones and are antagonistic to each other to some degree. Whereas DHEA has an anabolic or building influence, cortisol has a catabolic or tearing down effect on the body. Both of these effects are essential and these two hormones must be in proper balance for optimal health. How do these hormones become imbalanced? By stress maladaptation.

Stress maladaptation is the body’s inappropriate response to prolonged stress. The normal reaction of the body to stress is to produce greater quantities of both cortisol and DHEA. When the stress is gone, the body reduces its output of cortisol and DHEA to resting levels and everything is fine. This is what happens with short episodes of stress. However, when the stress is prolonged, the body prefers to make increasingly greater amounts of cortisol and less DHEA. How long does it take for this to occur? One study showed that after just 28 days of continuous stress, cortisol levels had climbed to 240 percent of starting values and DHEA had dropped to 15 percent of initial levels! What’s even worse is that even after the stress is removed, the body sometimes does not recover and bring these hormones back to normal levels, but instead, remains in the stress response mode with high cortisol and low DHEA output.

The consequences of elevated cortisol and reduced DHEA levels are devastating: The immune system is compromised with increased risk to infections, certain cancers, allergies and autoimmune diseases. Glucose utilization and insulin function are altered with resultant higher blood sugar levels. Salt and water are retained, producing tendency toward high blood pressure. Blood cholesterol and triglycerides increase and predispose to heart disease. Thyroid function becomes impaired, resulting in decreased metabolism, lowered body temperature, and reduced vitality. The body stores fat, especially around the midsection. Depression, insomnia, hunger, and PMS result. Reproductive function falters with resultant infertility and cessation of the menstrual cycle. The body becomes more susceptible to toxins and heavy metals. Stomach ulcers form. Memory and learning become impaired. The combination of reduced R.E.M. (rapid eye movement) sleep and lowered growth hormone release at night diminish mental and physical regeneration, which results in acceleration of the aging process. Protein synthesis is reduced and protein breakdown is increased, leading to bone loss, skin wrinkles, arthritis, muscle loss and weakness, and all the protein supplements in the world won’t make a difference. However, resistive exercise (like bodybuilding) can maintain muscle mass under these conditions by “stealing” protein from the internal organs. Obviously, this is not healthy. An additional strike against endurance athletes is the fact that insulin-sensitive, slow oxidative type 1 muscle fibers become replaced by fast glycolytic type II-B muscle fibers, resulting in poor performance. Not all of these effects of high cortisol and low DHEA occur in everyone. What does happen in each individual is dependent upon genetic predisposition and lifestyle/environmental factors.

When DHEA levels are low, supplements should be taken for several months. When another saliva test has shown that DHEA is back in normal range, the supplements are gradually tapered off and followed by another test about a week after stopping supplementation. This is done to assure that the body has recovered and is again making DHEA on its own.

For those who are not concerned with health but take DHEA for reasons other than restoring levels to normal, beware of excessive and/or prolonged use causing or contributing to: nausea, headaches, acne, liver tumors, atherosclerosis, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, male breast growth, uterine fibroids and polyps, endometriosis, cystic breasts and ovaries, male pattern hair growth in women, spotting, and breast tenderness. The adrenal glands may atrophy and some people on thyroid replacement therapy will become hyperthyroid as the DHEA makes the medication more active.

Progenolone – a steroid that creates hormones in the body

Dr. Amy — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:40:17 +0000

Very little is known about the safety of the supplements or the effects of long-term use. Some laboratory studies in cancer cells and animals have suggested that pregnenolone may stimulate the growth of hormone-responsive cancers such as prostate and breast cancer. The body uses pregnenolone to make steroid hormones such as DHEA and testosterone. High doses may cause aggressiveness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and the growth of body or facial hair on women. It also may stop menstruation and lower the levels of HDL, or “good,” cholesterol, which could raise the risk of heart disease. Other possible side effects include acne, heart rhythm problems, liver problems, loss of hair from the scalp, and oily skin.

Little is known about drug interactions, although some studies suggest it may interfere with the action of certain sleeping medicines or calming medicines (benzodiazepines). Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements or herbs you are taking.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use pregnenolone. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Radio Talk Show Starts Monday, December 5, 2011

Dr. Amy — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:31:20 +0000

Tune in on Monday afternoons at 3 pm weekly to hear Natural Answers with Dr Amy. 96.3 FM will have a 1 hour weekly call in talk show covering all natural medicine topics. You can call into the station, or email your questions or comments to whysradio.org or email me at the station at dramy@whysradio.org and your questions will be responded to on the air.
This talk radio show is meant to share information to increase the quality of life of the listeners through natural medicine, and natural nutrition.

I have had an on going battle with anxiety for the past 16 years. I’manxious alot, when I’m scared I feel nauseated, I feel nervous alot too. Ifeel out of control! I’m 54 and post memopausel(I think!) What’s wrong withme? I take lots of vitamins but I still can’t rid myself of this problem?

Dr. Amy — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:13:01 +0000

Anxiety can be helped through out the day by taking an L-theanine capsule in the morning, and if needed again at noon. To unwind in the evening, an L-theanine 30 minutes before bed can help to calm the system.
If after trying L-theanine for 10 days, there is not an improvement, I would recommend taking Cortisol Manager or Relora Plex once in the morning and again at bedtime. Cortisol Manager, and Relora Plex are a blend of plant chemicals that help the body metabolize out excess cortisol (the stress hormone) that caused anxiety.

None of the above mentioned supplements are sedatives. There are no negative side effects, and you can still take medications without problems.
For more information, or a private consultation call 715-836-7021 Mon – Fri 10-6 and Sat 10-2

I am wondering about essential oils and how they help with depression anxiety and anger. I recently got off my meds and taking natural supplements and a person told me essential oils are extremely helpful. Thank you

Dr. Amy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:12:31 +0000

I never use essential oils alone for depression. If you have been on medications, I hope that you worked with your physician to slowly wean off the drugs. I recommend replacing what ever brain chemicals were blocked or off balance, with a natural plant chemical that will help the brain balance without using synthetic drugs.
I would have to know more about your medical history, and what your current symptoms are in order to help you with your mood imbalances.
If you are determined to use essential oils alone, you must not ingest them, and know that they will not alter brain chemicals.
Lavender is calming, and sweet orange gets rid of agitation.
Please work with an educated professional on your moods and feel free to call B Natural for more information 715-836-7021

Stop the FDA from making Natural Supplements Prescription only by Dec 31, 2011

Dr. Amy — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:29:10 +0000

PLEASE contact your local representatives by email to voice your concern about the FDA and AMA making all natural supplements prescription only. There is a bill in front of the Congress that will be voted on Dec 31, 2011 to ban anyone from selling natural supplements. The goal is to make you the consumer, have to see a medical doctor for a prescription for any natural supplement of vitamin.

www.usa.gov/contact/Elected.shtml

Help Stop the FDA from regulated supplements and making them prescription only!

Dr. Amy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:44:09 +0000

http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/red-alert-fda-set-to-ban-your-supplements/

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/DietarySupplements/ucm257563.htm/

https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?alertId=911&pg=makeACall

Chlorophyll to Increase Red Blood Cells

Dr. Amy — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:31:03 +0000

Chlorophyll is the green pigment present in most plants and aids in manufacturing food for the plants through a process known as photosynthesis. Over the years, chlorophyll has been used by physicians as well as laymen to do away with bad breath and also to lessen the pungent smell of urine, feces and wounds infected by bacteria or fungus. It is important to note here that chlorophyll possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant as well as wound healing properties. These remedial qualities of chlorophyll have made it popular among the people since ages.

Chlorophyll is not only found in plants, but also in some algae and even in some bacteria that can soak up sunlight that is essential for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is found in abundance in the plant leaves and is also often present in some other plant tissues or parts like the stems and imparts the green color to the plants. The chlorophyll present in the leaves is camouflaged by other pigments as well. This is proved from the fact that during the winter chlorophyll present in the leaves declines and the leaves change color owing to the prevalence of the other pigments. Primarily, chlorophyll absorbs violet-blue and orange-red light emitted by the sun.

Generally, chlorophylls are large molecules that mostly comprise carbon and hydrogen. A single magnesium atom encircled by nitrogen-containing group of atoms called a porphyrin ring can be found at the center of each chlorophyll molecule. The arrangement inside a chlorophyll molecule bears a resemblance to that of the dynamic ingredients of hemoglobin in the blood. A long and uninterrupted chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms carries on from the core of the chlorophyll molecule and links it to the internal casing of the chloroplast – the cell organelle where the process of photosynthesis occurs. When a chlorophyll molecule soaks up a photon of light, electrons present in the molecule become active and move to higher energy planes. In turn, this kicks off a series of complex chemical reactions in the chloroplast enabling the energy obtained from the sunlight to be stored in chemical bonds.

Interestingly, there are several kinds of chlorophylls and each of them is at variance with the other. They also differ in their molecular structure and absorb somewhat diverse wavelengths of light. Among these, the most common type is the chlorophyll a – this comprises almost 75 % of the chlorophyll present in most green plants. Chlorophyll is also present in cyanobacteria, which was earlier known as blue-green algae. The green pigment can also be found in more composite cells. In fact, chlorophyll is an associate pigment that can be found in green plants and other complicated photosynthetic cells that absorb diverse wave lengths of sunlight and transmits them to the chlorophyll for eventual alteration into chemical energy. Some chlorophylls that are of lesser significance are also found in some micro-organisms.

Going by the history, in earlier ages people used chlorophyll to heal gastro-intestinal ailments like constipation. Chlorophyll was also widely used to boost formation of blood cells in people suffering from anemia. Some introductory studies conducted on chlorophyll also indicate that the green pigment found in plants may also be beneficial in detoxifying substances that lead to cancer or cancerous growth.

Hello, Dr. Amy! I have been on Effexor for almost 12 yrs to treatdepression. Recently, I started talking with my doctor about reducing themedication and possibly going off of it. My doctor agreed that this would bealright, and we started reducing the dosage from 150 mg XR to 75 mg. Istayed on the 75 mg for about 3-4 months and 6 days ago, stopped taking thedrug. I called my doctor and notified her of this and she was okay with it.During the first few days of withdrawal, I experienced nausea, cold shakes,exhaustion and crying spells. Now, I am on Day 6 and most of the sideeffects are gone except the nausea and tiredness. I also wake up in themorning itching a bit and feeling really hot and sweaty (no shakes tho). Myquestion for you is this: now that I am off of the Effexor, I really want totry and take some natural supplements that will help prevent/reduce/managemy depression. I have been doing research online and have found that fishoil, vitamin e, vitamin d, and some of the B vitamins are supposed to reallyhelp (both with withdrawal side effects from Effexor and with managingdepression) but I would feel much more comfortable if I could talk withsomeone in person or on here about it because I don’t really know the rightamounts, kinds, or dosages to take. Could you help me out? Thanks so much!!!

Dr. Amy — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:20:23 +0000

I would highly recommend a private consultation for anyone wanting to set up a protocol of natural supplements for depression.
Taking several seperate products may not be the best idea.
When you understand what your medication had been doing in your brain, it will help you understand why we need a consultation time.
My best advice is dont just start 4 new products and hope you know what you are doing.
A simple start would be 4000IU of B Natural Vitamin D every morning and 2000mcg of B Natural Sublingual B-12 every morning.
Fish oils are great, DHA is specific to brain development, but at this point you need things to replace the action of the medication.

I hope you make an appointment before experimenting with products for depression.

Take Vitamin D for Many Reasons (Thanks Dr Mercola for the info)

Dr. Amy — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 23:01:11 +0000

Dr Mercola explains it perfectly. High doses of Vitamin D3 kills the flu. The governments keep natural medicine very quiet because there is no money in it. For example Vitamin D and D3 (which is actually a hormone) Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Not much money can be made from bottled oxygen) The power of Garlic (too easy to grow) The use of Cannabis for pain relief and inflammation Germans found that Vitamin D increases the immune system by 3-5 times and is BETTER than any vaccine at helping the immune system beat the h5n1 (bird flu) virus. Research from PubMed: In 1981, R. Edgar Hope-Simpson proposed that a ‘seasonal stimulus’ intimately associated with solar radiation explained the remarkable seasonality of epidemic influenza. Solar radiation triggers robust seasonal vitamin D production in the skin; vitamin D deficiency is common in the winter, and activated vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, a steroid hormone, has profound effects on human immunity. 1,25(OH)2D acts as an immune system modulator, preventing excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines and increasing the ‘oxidative burst’ potential of macrophages. Perhaps most importantly, it dramatically stimulates the expression of potent anti-microbial peptides, which exist in neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and in epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract where they play a major role in protecting the lung from infection.