Depression has reached epidemic proportions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and by 2030, the amount of disability and premature death as a result of depression will be greater than that resulting from any other condition, including accidents, war, suicide, cancer, and stroke.
A large body of research has already linked depression to dementia. A new study has now found depression to be linked to the #1 killer in the Western world: Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke). In fact, depression was found to be almost as great a risk factor as elevated cholesterol and obesity. Lead researcher in this study, Professor Karl-Heinz Ladwig from the Technical University of Munich, said that depression accounts for about 15% of all cardiovascular deaths.
Over the past 20 years, the use of antidepressants has skyrocketed. One in 10 Americans now takes an antidepressant medication. Among women in their 40’s and 50’s, the figure is one in four. Studies are now showing that long-term use of anti-depressants can actually make depression worse! Furthermore, long-term use of antidepressants has been found to cause brain damage, specifically brain atrophy (shrinkage) and white matter lesions. This can lead to life’s most dreaded disease: Alzheimer’s.
Comments: Depression is a multifactorial condition. Effective drug-free relief requires addressing the multiple metabolic and nutritional imbalances that underlie mood disturbances. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional experienced in metabolic and nutritional medicine.
Additional comments: Sometimes drugs are needed, but natural alternatives should always be considered, not only for depression but for ALL health conditions. Long-term, drugs can deplete vital nutrients from the body and can damage the kidneys, liver, heart, brain, and immune system. Are you willing to take those risks? Next time you see your doctor, I urge you to ask him or her, “Doctor, instead of prescribing drugs, what natural alternatives can be used?” If you don’t like your doctor’s answer, it may be time to find a new doctor.
