The body requires 22 essential amino acids to build the proteins that fight infection, regulate growth and influence mental state. While most of these amino acids are synthesized by the body, there are several that must come from the food we eat...
Of all the mental illnesses, major depression is among the most responsive to treatments. Without treatment, however, it can be a life threatening condition, that tends to come back even after the recovery. It is essential that you look for help...
Feeling sad or miserable at times is normal, particularly after a difficult life situation or major life change. Maintaining a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, exercising, and participating in hobbies or activities are among the many ways...
DepressionHelpSpot.com states that seven out of every 100 adults in the United States suffers from clinical depression at some point of their life. Yet, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, only 25 percent of them seek help....
Depression is a serious illness that requires both attention and treatment. Depression can do more than make you feel sad--it can make it difficult for you to take care of your family, your responsibilities at work and even just get out of bed....
Bipolar disorder is a condition characterized by extremes of polarity affecting psychological and behavioral conduct. The condition is a result of neurotransmitter or brain chemical imbalances that lead to drastic shifts between expressions of...
Depression affects approximately 5 percent of adolescents and children at any time, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Supplements may help, but depression is a neurobiological disorder that can lead to serious...
Dark chocolate, which is slightly less sweet than milk chocolate, goes through less processing than milk chocolate and has no added milk. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, which may protect cells and body chemicals against free radicals that...
Depression affects relationships, accomplishments and quality of life. It can also be debilitating and even life-threatening. If you are experiencing a depressed mood or lack of interest in routine activities, along with excessive guilt or...
Muscular fatigue can hinder your progress in a weight loss or exercise program. Otherwise known as 'burnout,' such fatigue is not limited to the muscular system. With a host of nerves and neurotransmitters involved in the healthy functioning of...
Distinct from the occasional experiences of grief, sadness and dissatisfaction that are common to all human beings, depression is a medical condition associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. Some of the symptoms of depression are...
According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Half of its content in the body is found in the bones and the other half is primarily found in the cells of...
Interstitial cystitis, or IC --- also known as painful bladder syndrome --- is a chronic inflammation of your bladder wall. IC causes chronic pain in your pelvic area, pain when urinating, and a sense of urinary urgency and frequency. Doctors...
Prescription medication for depression such as Prozac was popularized in the 1994 publication of "Prozac Nation," by Elizabeth Lee Wurtzel. But Prozac and other SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Paxil and Zoloft can have...
For people who can't get enough of it, chocolate might seem like a drug. In addition to its addictive taste, chocolate's role in boosting your mood can be irresistible. While you might attribute this to your sweet tooth, chocolate owes much of its...
Most prescription antidepressants work by increasing the circulation of certain neurotransmitters in your brain, usually serotonin, dopamine, noradrenalin or adrenalin. Different types of prescription antidepressants target different...
Consider exercise as an adjunct treatment to Prozac, or fluoxetine, for depression. Major depression affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older each year, according to the...
The brain, the central command center of the body, plays a crucial role in swimming. The brain contains nerve cells that communicate with each other and with the muscles to enable the movements needed for swimming. Swimming involves brain...
Once considered "all in the mind," depression is now recognized as a malady that may respond to medication. Some people turn to herbs like St. John's wort to treat mild depression. Blue cohosh, most closely associated with menstrual and pregnancy...
Pregnancy is a time of joyous anticipation for most women, but some mothers-to-be may experience a more debilitating form of depression that goes beyond the typical "baby blues." According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative...
Depression is a mood disorder that can accompany symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbance. The supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a brain chemical produced from the amino acid tryptophan that increases serotonin often recommended in the...
Rhodiola rosea, also known as roseroot or golden root, grows in very cold regions of the world. While more than 200 different species of rhodiola have been identified by botanists, Rhodiola rosea appears to be the most effective variety. The part...
5-HTP is a chemical that the body can make naturally from an amino acid called tryptophan. 5-HTP is converted to another chemical called serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood and behavior. People who suffer from depression may be...
Combining Zoloft with 5-HTP is not normally recommended without physician approval and supervision. The body makes 5-HTP, a chemical, from an amino acid called tryptophan, and 5-HTP is then converted into serotonin in the body. Zoloft is an...
Depression is a debilitating illness, and is the fourth biggest contributor to the global disease burden according to the World Health Organization. Despite its high prevalence and devastating effects, drug treatments tend to be no more effective...
Ovaries and adrenal glands produce progesterone, a steroid hormone that is necessary for female reproductive health. Progesterone promotes bone growth and protects against osteoporosis. Natural progesterone--most commonly prescribed as a body...
Neroli essential oil, also referred to as bitter orange or sour orange, has a variety of uses in aromatherapy, from scenting perfumes and massage oils to use as an aphrodisiac and antiseptic. It is also used to treat depression, anxiety, heartburn...
Adults as well as children can have Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD. Years ago, this disorder had no name and many of today's adults were just called dreamers or disruptive children. These adults are often relieved to find out they have ADD and...
Natural menopause occurs over a period of 10 to 15 years, usually beginning around the age of 45, according to MedlinePlus. There are some women, however, who will not have the opportunity to ease into menopause because a medical condition will...
