| Answer: | Prozac belongs to the family of anti-depressants called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These give serotonin, the brain' s natural happy chemical, more ' miles per gallon' . Do they work? Yes, in roughly half of cases, but the side effects can be depressing in themselves. About a quarter of people on SSRIs experience a lowered libido, flattened moods, nausea, headaches and insomnia, to name just a few. What' s more, the positive effects tend to wear off after six months to a year. Why? Probably because taking these anti-depressants does nothing to correct the underlying deficiency in serotonin.
The nutritional solution is to supplement the building blocks for serotonin, the amino acids tryptophan or hydroxytryptophan, known as 5-HTP. Some supplements combine 5-HTP with niacin, folic acid, B6, and zinc, which all help the brain keep your neurotransmitters in balance. But there are plenty of other ways to raise serotonin levels: by meeting friends regularly or taking up a group activity such as dance, getting a hug from a partner, going for a brisk walk, increasing our exposure to daylight, reading an amusing book. Psychotherapy and counseling can help give you that extra boost you might need to get your life back on track.
Certain foods can also help you banish depression. Research is revealing that omega-3 fatty acids help with a number of mood disorders, so make sure you are eating cold-water fish such as salmon (go for wild or organically farmed) and mackerel three times a week, or sprinkle ground flax seeds on your cereal in the morning. I also recommend supplementing an omega-3-rich fish oil. Magnesium strengthens the nervous system, so eat plenty of magnesium-rich foods such as wheatgerm, cashew nuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, beans and peas, and include 200mg in your daily supplement programme. |
