Depression is a common but serious condition. According to a 2007 study by Donald Brown, ND, Alan R. Gaby, MD, and Ronald Reichert, ND, 13 percent to 20 percent of adults exhibit some symptoms of depression at some point in their lives. Some will consult doctors and try prescription medication to relieve symptoms, while others will try natural remedies and alternative methods.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin and L-tyrosine to norepinephrine. Therefore, depression could result from a deficiency of vitamin B6. In the same study, Brown, Gaby and Reichert found that four out of seven depressed patients had subnormal plasma concentrations of pyridoxal phosphate, the biologically active form of vitamin B6.
St. John's Wort
There is not a full understanding of how St. John's Wort works as an antidepressant. Literature points to its ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Brown, Gaby and Reichert report that "more than 20 clinical studies have been completed using several different St. John's Wort extracts. Most have shown antidepressant action either greater than placebo or equal in action to standard prescription antidepressant drugs."
L-Tyrosine
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid the body makes from another amino acid called phenylalanine. The University of Maryland Medical Center's website says, "It is a building block for several important neurotransmitters, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine." Decreased levels have been found in some patients with depression. L-Tyrosine can be taken in pill form.
Fish Oil
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, MD, from the Mayo Clinic reports that a number of studies suggest that fish oil supplements may be an effective add-on therapy for depression. Preliminary research suggests fish oil may be as effective as prescription antidepressant medication --- but combined, the two are more effective than taking either alone.
Folic acid
Brown, Gaby and Reichert report that folic acid deficiency may be a result of dietary deficiency, physical or psychological stress, excessive alcohol consumption, malabsorption or chronic diarrhea. In this study, serum folate levels were measured in 48 hospitalized patients: 16 with depression, 13 psychiatric patients who were not depressed and 19 medical patients. Compared to the patients in the other two groups, depressed patients reported having significantly lower serum folate concentrations.
