Natural Alternatives to Anti-Depressant Drugs such as Prozac, Effexor and Zoloft.
One out of every 10 Americans has been on an SSRI drug (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox and Paxil to name a few) for depression. Serotonin, the neurotransmitter influenced by this class of drug, has many influences on pain, mood, sleep and intensity of cravings. Imbalances in serotonin can lead to depression, anxiety, low pain thresholds, sleep disorders, sugar cravings and weight gain.
How does Serotonin effect the brain?
When you eat protein, an amino acid called tryptophan will absorb into the brain to be processed into serotonin. If sufficient nutrients such as Iron, SAMe, Magnesium, and certain B-vitamins are present, tryptophan may be converted into a substance called 5-HTP. If activated B6 (P5P) is present, 5-HTP can be converted into the feel good hormone serotonin. Certain brain cells will release serotonin in order to communicate with a neighboring brain cell (target cell). When the serotonin is released into the space between the cells (the synapse), some of it is bound to the target cell, therefore transmitting the message. A small amount of serotonin is lost in the urine, and the rest (80%) is reabsorbed by the original cell to be reused. When there is normal re-absorption (re-uptake) of the serotonin, feedback will tell the first cell that appropriate amounts of serotonin has reached the target cell, and that no more serotonin production is required. When plenty of serotonin is available, a small amount is converted into another important chemical called melatonin, which helps one achieve deep, restful sleep.
How do Prozac-like drugs work? Are there side effects? SSRI drugs (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, etc) block the re-absorption of the serotonin that does not bind to the target cell, causing the serotonin to stay in that space between the cells for a longer period of time in hopes that more serotonin may bind to the target cell if it's forced to stay there long enough. Some will be bound but much more than normal will be eliminated through the urine.
There are some problems that are associated with the use of these drugs and if you read the first three paragraphs again, you can probably figure them out.
First, If the drug is blocking the re-uptake of serotonin, there is a larger amount being excreted in the urine. This is very wasteful, especially if the person was low in serotonin to begin with. These drugs actually deplete the body of it's own serotonin stores which can be very dangerous since those taking the drug were often low in serotonin to begin with!
Second, if the receptors on the target cell were resistant to serotonin to begin with, abnormally high amounts of serotonin will only make the receptors more resistant to serotonin. Higher doses of the drug, or a different drug may then be required to achieve the desired effect which means increased risk of side effects.
Third, since the feedback loop is blocked, the first cell thinks that the target cell did not receive enough serotonin. The first cell must then try to release even more serotonin, further depleting its serotonin reserves and increasing resistance of the target cell.
Eventually, the body becomes both serotonin depleted and serotonin resistant, meaning it doesn’t make much serotonin and it does not respond well to what little serotonin it does make. Further, there is no excess serotonin to be converted into melatonin which can lead to insomnia. Based on this knowledge, it is not surprising that suicide rates are actually higher after a depressed person has been on SSRI medication.
These drugs were designed for short term use and were never tested long term or intended to be used long term. Sadly the long term use of SSRI type drugs has become common place. Unfortunately the long term side effects are now being discovered in the large population of patients using them for extended lengths. The side effects now attributed to these drugs include sexual dysfunction, tics, parkinsonian tremors, agitation, muscle spasm, weight gain, insomnia and increased rates of suicide (especially in young people). Many of these side effects are due to the long term depletion of serotonin and down regulation of another neurotransmitter called Dopamin. Some of the side effects are permanent even after SSRI use has been ceased.
So what does natural therapy have to offer? Serotonin and all other neurotransmitters are made from a specific amino acid (building blocks of protein), in this case tryptophan. In order to produce enough serotonin in the cell, you need to ingest enough tryptophan in the diet. Poultry and vegetables are good sources. In order for tryptophan to be converted into serotonin, there are some chemical conversions that need to occur which require a whole host of nutrient co-factors. Tryptophan is first converted to 5-HTP before it is converted to Serotonin. We often use supplemental 5-HTP and P5P with great success because it supplies the natural building blocks for serotonin production.
Another area that can be addressed naturally is the sensitivity of the receptors on the target cell. This is rarely discussed but it is just as important as serotonin production. Combinations of PS, GPC, Inositol, ALC and Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to be beneficial in making the receptors more responsive by improving the structural and functional makeup of the target cell, improving its ability to accept serotonin. These nutrients are the nutural components of the cell and receptor itself so this type of supplementation is very safe and effective. Be very careful when selecting an Omega 3 supplement. I only use pharmaceutical grade fish, flax and borage oils which are proven to be free of rancidity and pollutants such as mercury and PCB's.
This natural approach supplies the raw material for appropriate serotonin production, allows for appropriate feedback, allows for proper re-absorption of excess serotonin, and improves the sensitivity of the target cell.
In some cases SSRI drugs can have very good short term effects on people with severe mood disorders, but too often they can make the problems worse. I believe natural supplementation, along with dietary changes and lifestyle modifications should always be tried first or in addition to medication. Your body was built to utilize natural substances so when we appropriately replace them and remove any toxins that could be contributing to the problem, the body will become healthy enough to function on its own. This method is a very safe, effective and low cost way of giving you the best chance possible to overcome mood disturbances (like depression), cravings, sleep disorders and pain syndromes over the long term.
Make an appointment with Dr. Webster today to discuss natural therapies for mood disorders. 972-735-0707
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