I saw several sites on the Internet that mentioned a study that showed aspartame was shown in a study to cause depressed mood in people who had a history of depression. I felt kind of down yesterday after a couple of weeks of feeling pretty good. I started using aspartame three or four days ago. So, I wonder if it might have caused the down mood. Anyway, this has to be the study referred to.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8373935
Sarah
April 17, 2011
February 18, 2011
Vitamin D Deficiency, Excess Copper?
Vitamin D Deficiency
Today, February 18, 2011, the doctor's office called to tell me that I was Vitamin D deficient. They told me that I should start taking 1000 IUs of Vitamin D every day.
OK, will do. So I looked up Vitamin D deficiency, and the NIH has this page: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind/ where it says:
* Sunlight helps our bodies make Vitamin D
* Very few foods contain Vitamin D in adequate amounts
* Fortified milk, cereal, or other fortified foods are the only real food options
* Cheese and other milk products are not fortified
To get your vitamin D from sun, consider these things:
* Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation with a wavelength of 290–320 nanometers penetrates uncovered skin and converts cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which in turn becomes vitamin D3 [1].)
* Sunscreens rated 8 or more block UVB radiation, which prevents vitamin D conversion
* Cloud cover, pollution, and dark or tanned skin (melanin) block UVB
* Generally, 30 minutes of bare skin (30% of your body) sun exposure twice a week between 10 and 3 is enough for vitamin D synthesis
Vitamin D deficiency has these symptoms and effects, among many others:
* Decreased bone density
* Thin tooth enamel, leading to more cavities
* Muscular weakness
* high blood pressure
* lowered immunity
* bone pain
* blood sugar problems
* DEPRESSION
This is a nice explanation of Vitamin D that is a lot more understandable than the .gov sites: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=110
More about Vitamin D: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/slideshow-vitamin-d-overview
Wilson's Disease
The reason Vitamin D deficiency seemed familiar is that a few weeks ago I had a dream that I had a house with a lot of copper-clad doors. I wanted to renovate, and I realized that I could sell the pretty copper doors to help pay for the renovation. I reflected that I had TOO MUCH COPPER, anyway.
That led me to look up what having too much copper could be, and I learned about Wilson's Disease: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001789
"Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder in which there is too much copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and nervous system."
On the Vitamin D page, I saw that the deficiency (also called rickets) could be caused by kidney problems resulting from renal tubular acidosis. In turn, renal tubular acidosis (RTA) can be caused by Wilson's disease.
To reduce copper, you can take chelation treatments to take the copper out of your blood, and you can also avoid:
* Chocolate
* Dried fruit
* Liver
* Mushrooms
* Nuts
* Shellfish
My Own Symptoms
* More cavities (which has been freaking me out)
* Weakness
* Muscle and joint pain
* high blood pressure
* often sick
* blood sugar problems
* DEPRESSION
Factors:
* I don't drink milk, except in foods, but cooking isn't supposed to be a problem
* I use sunscreen more, I haven't been outside as much in the last 10 years as before
The likelihood of me having Wilson's Disease is low, but I do wonder why I have low vitamin D. I love the sun, and I am out in it without sunscreen at least twice a week for two to four hours. Even without milk, why would I be deficient?
Today, February 18, 2011, the doctor's office called to tell me that I was Vitamin D deficient. They told me that I should start taking 1000 IUs of Vitamin D every day.
OK, will do. So I looked up Vitamin D deficiency, and the NIH has this page: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind/ where it says:
* Sunlight helps our bodies make Vitamin D
* Very few foods contain Vitamin D in adequate amounts
* Fortified milk, cereal, or other fortified foods are the only real food options
* Cheese and other milk products are not fortified
To get your vitamin D from sun, consider these things:
* Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation with a wavelength of 290–320 nanometers penetrates uncovered skin and converts cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which in turn becomes vitamin D3 [1].)
* Sunscreens rated 8 or more block UVB radiation, which prevents vitamin D conversion
* Cloud cover, pollution, and dark or tanned skin (melanin) block UVB
* Generally, 30 minutes of bare skin (30% of your body) sun exposure twice a week between 10 and 3 is enough for vitamin D synthesis
Vitamin D deficiency has these symptoms and effects, among many others:
* Decreased bone density
* Thin tooth enamel, leading to more cavities
* Muscular weakness
* high blood pressure
* lowered immunity
* bone pain
* blood sugar problems
* DEPRESSION
This is a nice explanation of Vitamin D that is a lot more understandable than the .gov sites: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=110
More about Vitamin D: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/slideshow-vitamin-d-overview
Wilson's Disease
The reason Vitamin D deficiency seemed familiar is that a few weeks ago I had a dream that I had a house with a lot of copper-clad doors. I wanted to renovate, and I realized that I could sell the pretty copper doors to help pay for the renovation. I reflected that I had TOO MUCH COPPER, anyway.
That led me to look up what having too much copper could be, and I learned about Wilson's Disease: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001789
"Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder in which there is too much copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and nervous system."
On the Vitamin D page, I saw that the deficiency (also called rickets) could be caused by kidney problems resulting from renal tubular acidosis. In turn, renal tubular acidosis (RTA) can be caused by Wilson's disease.
To reduce copper, you can take chelation treatments to take the copper out of your blood, and you can also avoid:
* Chocolate
* Dried fruit
* Liver
* Mushrooms
* Nuts
* Shellfish
My Own Symptoms
* More cavities (which has been freaking me out)
* Weakness
* Muscle and joint pain
* high blood pressure
* often sick
* blood sugar problems
* DEPRESSION
Factors:
* I don't drink milk, except in foods, but cooking isn't supposed to be a problem
* I use sunscreen more, I haven't been outside as much in the last 10 years as before
The likelihood of me having Wilson's Disease is low, but I do wonder why I have low vitamin D. I love the sun, and I am out in it without sunscreen at least twice a week for two to four hours. Even without milk, why would I be deficient?
February 8, 2011
Chromium Picolinate for Depression?
I have been using Chromium Picolinate for years to help me feel better in the afternoon when I used to always get dizzy and irritated if I didn't eat exactly on time. Here are some relevant studies mentioned on Wikipedia.
From Wikipedia:
It has been noted that patients with atypical depression often suffer from intense cravings for carbohydrates. A mineral supplement, chromium picolinate, was found to assuage these cravings.[5][6] It also was found to have an antidepressant effect on some atypical depression sufferers.[6]
Some hypothesize that atypical depression may be related to thyroid dysregulation. Some studies have found subtle thyroid abnormalities in people with atypical depression.[7] Another study suggests that patients may benefit from triiodothyronine, a medication used to treat hypothyroidism.[8]
References
5. ^ Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR (September 2005). "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving". J Psychiatr Pract 11 (5): 302–14. doi:10.1097/00131746-200509000-00004. PMID 16184071.
6. ^ a b Davidson JR, Abraham K, Connor KM, McLeod MN (February 2003). "Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trial". Biol. Psychiatry 53 (3): 261–4. doi:10.1016/S0006-3223(02)01500-7. PMID 12559660.
7. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20070317050218/http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20040315/atypical-depression-thyroid-link-still-alive Atypical Depression: Thyroid Link Still Alive
8. ^ Iosifescu DV, Nierenberg AA, Mischoulon D, et al. (August 2005). "An open study of triiodothyronine augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder". J Clin Psychiatry 66 (8): 1038–42. doi:10.4088/JCP.v66n0812. PMID 16086620. http://article.psychiatrist.com/?ContentType=START&ID=10001405.
From Wikipedia:
It has been noted that patients with atypical depression often suffer from intense cravings for carbohydrates. A mineral supplement, chromium picolinate, was found to assuage these cravings.[5][6] It also was found to have an antidepressant effect on some atypical depression sufferers.[6]
Some hypothesize that atypical depression may be related to thyroid dysregulation. Some studies have found subtle thyroid abnormalities in people with atypical depression.[7] Another study suggests that patients may benefit from triiodothyronine, a medication used to treat hypothyroidism.[8]
References
5. ^ Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR (September 2005). "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving". J Psychiatr Pract 11 (5): 302–14. doi:10.1097/00131746-200509000-00004. PMID 16184071.
6. ^ a b Davidson JR, Abraham K, Connor KM, McLeod MN (February 2003). "Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trial". Biol. Psychiatry 53 (3): 261–4. doi:10.1016/S0006-3223(02)01500-7. PMID 12559660.
7. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20070317050218/http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20040315/atypical-depression-thyroid-link-still-alive Atypical Depression: Thyroid Link Still Alive
8. ^ Iosifescu DV, Nierenberg AA, Mischoulon D, et al. (August 2005). "An open study of triiodothyronine augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder". J Clin Psychiatry 66 (8): 1038–42. doi:10.4088/JCP.v66n0812. PMID 16086620. http://article.psychiatrist.com/?ContentType=START&ID=10001405.
March 9, 2009
Bipolar II: Manic, but Not in a Good Way
What if you have a kind of depression, but your problem is more anxiety and sleeplessness than feeling bad? What if you are not depressed at all, but you are hypomanic and drive your family crazy? What if whenever you take anti-depressants, you feel worse? Or better, then worse?
See James R. Phelps, M.D.'s great discussion of a another kind of depression, Bipolar II. http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/frameset.html
See James R. Phelps, M.D.'s great discussion of a another kind of depression, Bipolar II. http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/frameset.html
December 6, 2008
PTSD, Hypoglycemia and Depression
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/PTStress.html
excerpt:
To understand the development of PTSD, we need to realize that any trauma - the death or loss of a loved one, moving house, war experiences or financial crisis - will cause stress hormones to interfere with the normal production of our feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and others. These are environmental stresses that can result in environmental depression. Nature makes sure that we have the right neuro-chemicals to deal with the stress.
Normally, after the removal of the environmental stress people start to produce serotonin again and life resumes for most people. However, for some people this is not what is happening,. They continue to be depressed for some reason not quite understood by the person. He keeps on producing excess stress hormones, such as adrenaline, that prevents him from producing serotonin. And because he fails to produce serotonin, he will also be lacking in melatonin, our sleeping hormone. Thus the clinical picture is of a person depressed and unable to sleep, waking up with sweats during the night. He may have other symptoms such as anxiety attacks and unpredictable mood swings.
It is natural for a person with PTSD to link his depression with the trauma, because this was indeed the direct cause of his depression at the time of the trauma. In fact this indelible link with the traumatic event(s) will probably amount to an obsession, as the only possible logical explanation for his physical symptoms that are internally generated by a flaw in his metabolism.
Perhaps the difference between endogenous depression and PTSD is that the latter is usually associated with a specific traumatic event. A student who becomes depressed because of exposure to stresses due to a competitive educational, program is not generally seen to be a victim of PTSD, although the underlying mechanism is the same.
The fundamental question is, why is the person not producing serotonin?
excerpt:
To understand the development of PTSD, we need to realize that any trauma - the death or loss of a loved one, moving house, war experiences or financial crisis - will cause stress hormones to interfere with the normal production of our feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and others. These are environmental stresses that can result in environmental depression. Nature makes sure that we have the right neuro-chemicals to deal with the stress.
Normally, after the removal of the environmental stress people start to produce serotonin again and life resumes for most people. However, for some people this is not what is happening,. They continue to be depressed for some reason not quite understood by the person. He keeps on producing excess stress hormones, such as adrenaline, that prevents him from producing serotonin. And because he fails to produce serotonin, he will also be lacking in melatonin, our sleeping hormone. Thus the clinical picture is of a person depressed and unable to sleep, waking up with sweats during the night. He may have other symptoms such as anxiety attacks and unpredictable mood swings.
It is natural for a person with PTSD to link his depression with the trauma, because this was indeed the direct cause of his depression at the time of the trauma. In fact this indelible link with the traumatic event(s) will probably amount to an obsession, as the only possible logical explanation for his physical symptoms that are internally generated by a flaw in his metabolism.
Perhaps the difference between endogenous depression and PTSD is that the latter is usually associated with a specific traumatic event. A student who becomes depressed because of exposure to stresses due to a competitive educational, program is not generally seen to be a victim of PTSD, although the underlying mechanism is the same.
The fundamental question is, why is the person not producing serotonin?
November 8, 2008
Cymbalta for Pain
A friend told me today that she began taking Cymbalta for pain that was leading to depression. She says it helps relieve pain, which seems very interesting.
August 16, 2008
Iodine Deficiency and Patch Test
http://naturalhealthtechniques.com/HealingTechniques/iodine_patch_test.htm
This is this same as a test I am taking for iodine deficiency. To learn more about it: http://www.mbschachter.com/iodine.htm
I thought iodine deficiency was rare, but check this out: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/vitaminsupplement/a/iodine.htm
"While iodine deficiency was not common in the U.S., it is again on the rise here as well. The first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), which took place between 1971 - 1974, found that just 2.6% of US citizens had iodine deficiency. The
followup NHANES III survey, conducted between 1988 - 1994, found that 11.7% are iodine deficient. The October, 1998 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that over the previous 20 years, the percentage of Americans with low intake of iodine has more than quadrupled. Of particular concern is the fact that the percentage of iodine-deficient pregnant women has increased from 1% in 1974 to 7% in 1994. Maternal iodine deficiency is particularly dangerous to a developing fetus. The researchers do not have a cause for the drop in levels, though it is suspected that reduced salt in the diet, plus a reduction in the use of iodine as a food ingredient, may be responsible. This trend, however, may necessitate concerted efforts to increase iodine levels in people at risk of deficiency even in the U.S."
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