Can B Vitamins Help Fight Depression?

Depression is a well-known ailment, but many people don't quite understand what it is; the most commonly-known symptom of depression is a listless, debilitating melancholy mood that lasts for a substantial amount of time, but that is far from the only symptom. Other than "the blues", depression often also consists of sleeplessness, irritability, an inability to focus, mental fogginess and headaches. Often the first response is to treat ongoing depression with prescription medications, but this can get very expensive and may not even be helpful; sometimes all the body needs to fight off depression are certain essential nutrients.

Many of the B vitamins are crucial to normal everyday function. You may not know you have a deficiency in any given vitamin because sometimes the only clues are restlessness, anxiety, fatigue or other such symptoms that may be chalked up to a hectic schedule, added stress at work or similar everyday elements of a busy life. However, if you are consistently having difficulties concentrating, are anxious for no discernible reason or find that you're regularly melancholy, a B-vitamin deficiency may be the cause.

Studies indicate that vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid are essential for proper brain function. Without a good balance of these vitamins you may experience symptoms of depression - and it may be preventable or easily alleviated with the addition of specialized supplements. In certain studies about 30% of elderly depressed patients showed a deficiency of vitamin B12, though the deficiency can and does occur in younger patients as well.

If it goes undiagnosed, a serious B12 deficiency can eventually lead to permanent adverse effects such as brain damage or dementia.On the other hand, there is evidence to suggest that B12 supplementation helps reduce mania in mental patients as well as aids in mental clarity and lowers stress levels. Enough vitamin B12 is stored in the body to last a person 3-5 years, so a deficiency will not be immediately discernible and there is often a large time margin for treatment. Many doctors recommend that all depression patients take additional B12 even if they're not tested as deficient in the vitamin; its beneficial effects don't seem to be limited to those who have less than the healthy amount in their systems.

Additional B12 is available in injectable form for severe cases, but those who suffer from mild or moderate depression - who are not at immediate risk for some of the more severe results of B12 deficiency - generally do not need to go through the expense or inconvenience of vitamin injections. A good multivitamin is a good place to start, but it is recommended that an additional specialized B12-containing supplement be added to your regime as well in order to help alleviate depression symptoms.

Whenever an internal imbalance occurs, the body reacts with a huge variety of symptoms ranging from a mild headache to debilitating anxiety or hyposomnia. The best way to isolate and possibly eliminate your body's complaints is to make sure you have sufficient exercise, a healthy diet and all the necessary nutrients. You may find that the proper supplementation will make you feel better and alleviate symptoms without having to result to prescription drugs.

Visit our website to learn more about B12 Vitamins and Depression. Progressive Health Inc provides supplements that help replenish nutritional deficiencies caused by various health conditions such as depression.

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Holiday Emotional Hangovers

Even if you don't drink, the aftermath of holiday celebrating has a funny way of effecting people. The holiday season is filled with high expectations for the majority of people. However the reality in many ways falls short of these expectations. Delightful family reunions tend to reveal the hidden stresses and strains that we were able to ignore during the course of the year. Families all have their hurts, and disappointments that are somehow magnified by the rose colored lenses of our expectations.

Then we also add our tendency to use this time of the year as a time of reflection and resetting of goals. The 20 lbs you didn't lose last year has been joined by an additional 5 lbs. More of you to love, or is it only more of you to lose? The career/financial goals that had been set that didn't quite pan out now leave feelings of failure in their wake. These issues as well as trying to prepare for your taxes and clean up from the last two months of hyper activity on your credit card may be leaving you feeling down in the dumps. You are not alone.

Some things for you to remember as you navigate this season of emotional hangovers are; " Its only a season, it will pass. " The future is what you make it; the past is not a predictor for your future. " Many people are more prone to depression and anxiety around this time of the year. You're not alone. " Set bite size goals for yourself, week by week, month by month. " Measure your success by all you have accomplished not by what still remains on your to do list. " Nurturing you spirit should be one of your goals. Taking care of yourself is very important if you are going to achieve success in 2009.

Remember your success in 2009 is assured if you start it focusing on your accomplishments not on what you believe to be your failures. You have already accomplished something significant for 2009, you made it! And only you know all the obstacles that you had to overcome to even get here, so give yourself some credit and keep moving forward.

Allison Bonilla MSW, LCSW
Awareness Counseling Center
2425 S. Volusia Ave. Ste. B-4
Orange City Fl. 32763
(386) 774-1330
http://www.awarenesscounseling.com
http://sanityinsight.blogspot.com/

Allison Bonilla has been in private practice for 10 years in Orange City, Florida. She has been in the field of Social Work for over 20 years. Her experience includes working with children and families in crisis situations, through governmental agencies. She has been a presenter at various professional conferences. She also volunteers with her local church. Her Masters in Social Work was obtained at Adelphi University in New York. She is a Licensed Master of Social Work in New York State, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida.

She is a professional Christian Counselor who successfully integrates a biblical world view with psychological theories in an attempt to assist her clients achieve optimal health. Her approach is holistic, with a strong slant towards Cognitive Behavioral theories. Allison Bonilla is a member of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, and National Association of Social Workers.

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Mood Vitamins

Are you depressed? Anxious? Moody? Many of us who are turn to pharmacutical relief, or we play mental and emotional games with ourselves to try and "ride it out." But the reality of the situation is that with the proper nutrition, or "mood vitamins," we can actually feel better than we have in years, all the time, without drugs. Without mental games.

A deficiency in Vitamin B may be to blame for many of our emotional challenges. The B-Complex vitamins are essential to the well-being of our mental and emotional health. Unlike most nutrients, our bodies don't really store a surplus of the B vitamins. Rather, we must regularly consume them to harness their healing power.

The B vitamins can only enhance your mood if they are left intact and healthy within your body. An excess of refined sugar, caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol will essentially destroy the vitamin, rendering it useless. This will only serve to perpetuate anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of suicide. If you experience these feelings, immediately discontinue the use of those harmful substances.

Then, begin a B vitamin supplementation regimen by taking the following:

* Thiamine (Vitamin B1) - This is the vitamin your brain uses to convert blood sugar into fuel. When it is deficient, your brain will run out of energy at an alarming rate, causing depression, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and suicidal thoughts. This vitamin is critical in maintaining emotional balance and a "zest for life."
* Niacin (Vitamin B3) - A minor deficiency in this critical vitamin will lead to agitation, anxiety, and mental & physical slowness. A major deficiency can cause Pellagra, or dementia & psychosis. This vitamin keeps you active and sane.
* Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) - Two substances your brain combines and uses to keep your mood in check and avoid depression are amino acids and acetylcholine. A deficiency in B5 prevents this from happening, resulting in major fatigue, chronic stress, and depression. This vitamin is so important in keeping you emotionally stable and able to cope with life.
* Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) - Your brain uses this vitamin to process amino acids and create seratonin, as well as melatonin and dopamine. B6 deficiency can result in mental confusion, along with immune system challenges and skin lesions. When this vitamin is in ample supply, you should feel sharp and alert.
* Vitamin B12 - This is a critical element in the formation of red blood cells. A B12 deficiency is perhaps the scariest B vitamin deficiency, as it leads to a condition called pernicious anemia, an oxygen transport problem. Symptoms include confusion, irritability, dementia, hallucinations, weakness, dizziness, and tingling in the extremities, among others. When in ample supply, this vitamin will help keep you oxygenated and centered.

In addition to an all natural, whole-food B vitamin supplement, I also highly encourage you to pick up both a whole-food multi-vitamin and a powerful antioxidant formula. The acai berry and green tea are phenomenal antioxidants that will kill any free radicals that could potentially hinder the effectiveness of your B, and other mood vitamins.

On a final note, please avoid your corner grocery or drug store. They deal mostly in synthetics. We want whole-food vitamins, as they are the only kind your body will actually recognize, assimilate, and use. Get to know the nice people at your best local health food store.

Mood disorders like depression, anxiety or panic, irritability, and apathy can be debilitating. They can ruin lives. They even did me in, once upon a time. "Mood vitamins" will give you the best fighting chance, I assure you.

You're going to do great! Thank you for reading.

Lee Murray is a musician and nutrition consultant living in Spokane, WA with his wife, Dana, and brand new baby boy, Cadence Benjamin.

Feel free to visit VitaMiracle, a premier online resource for amazing natural vitamins & minerals, beauty products, and alternative medicines.

If you'd like more information on the incredible acai berry, please Click Here.

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