According to the Stanford School of Medicine, depression is a common mental illness, affecting 9 million Americans each year. Major depression affects your physical health, thoughts, emotions, behaviors and daily activities. Depression is a treatable illness using medication or psychotherapy. Milder forms of depression are also treatable with supplements, but consult a physician before taking supplements for depression, particularly if you are taking prescribed medication.
SAMe
S-Adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, is a natural substance that helps produce serotonin, dopamine and melatonin. It also regulates the immune system and maintains cellular structure. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that SAMe can help treat the pain of osteoarthritis, in addition to depression. SAMe has proven to be effective at treating mild to moderate depression and is just as effective as antidepressant medications. One of the benefits of using SAMe is the avoidance of side-effects associated with antidepressant use. Also, antidepressants require six to eight weeks before observable results but SAMe works more rapidly. The mechanism underlying SAMe's effectiveness is unknown. However, researchers believe it may increase serotonin levels, the hormone that makes you feel happy and content. More research is required to assess SAMe's effectiveness at treating depression. Consult a physician before taking SAMe supplements.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is derived from a plant and is a popular method to treat anxiety and depression in Europe. How St. John's wort works is unknown, but it is thought that the active ingredients hypericin and hyperforin function to prevent the reuptake of serotonin into the nerve cells. Therefore, serotonin remains available for a longer duration. Used primarily to treat milder forms of depression, St. John's wort is available in capsule, tea and extract forms. St. John's wort should not be taken at the same time as antidepressant medications, and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends consulting a physician before taking St. John's wort.
5-HTP
5-HTP is a byproduct of the protein L-tryptophan. It is also extracted from the plant Griffonia simplicifolia. It increases the production of serotonin, which can help relieve symptoms of depression, pain and insomnia. According to Medline Plus, 5-HTP should not be used in conjunction with antidepressant medications. Some medications increase serotonin levels. Taking both at the same time can increase serotonin too much, causing adverse reactions such as anxiety, heart rate irregularities and shivering. 5-HTP may also cause a condition called eosinophilia myalgia syndrome, a disorder characterized by excessive muscle pain. However, research has not proven that this disorder is a result of 5-HTP consumption or that the reaction is a result of supplement contamination. Consult a physician before taking 5-HTP to treat depression.
