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The popular media abounds with information relating to alternative remedies for almost every ailment known to mankind. But what information can you trust? While supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, they are regulated as foods and not as drugs. Consequently, the laws governing the manufacture and sale of supplements are much less strict than the laws governing drugs. For example, manufacturers of supplements are not required to conduct research studies in humans to prove that they are safe or effective. Nor does the FDA analyze the content or quality of dietary supplements.

There have been very few tragedies in recent history, involving the use of dietary supplements, despite these lax regulations. But there are some dangers to taking certain supplements so it is wise to inform your doctor about what you are taking. You should also educate yourself about the supplements you take, just as you might research the side effects of a medication. Even if there are no dangers, at the very least, it is important to know whether you are spending your precious money on quality products that can be of benefit.

Supplements and Depression

Each year millions of Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars on dietary supplements to treat their depression. The more popular remedies have been subject to scientific study of varying quality and size, but most people don't investigate the research. They simply go out and buy what is popular, without really knowing the possible drug interactions or proven effects. I do not advocate or reject the use of supplements to treat depression. Every consumer must carefully evaluate his or her situation, and decide what course of action to take. However, my research clearly indicates that there is no supplement on the market today that is able to effectively treat severe depression. Severe depression can be a dangerous problem that carries the risk of suicide. So, if you are experiencing a severe depression see a doctor and do not rely on supplements. If you suffer from mild or moderate forms of depression, the following list of supplements may be beneficial to you. It is always best to consult your doctor if you are planning to change your current medication regimen.

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort is one of the most popular herbal remedies used to treat depression. One of the largest and most rigorous studies to date indicates that St. John's Wort is not effective in treating severe depression. This herb has been proven effective for mild and moderate forms of depression. In Germany, health officials have approved St. John's Wort as a treatment for depression, and a large German clinical trial found it to be beneficial, well-tolerated and have fewer side effects than a popular tricyclic antidepressant.

If you are considering this herb, there are a few things you should consider: St. John's Wort is generally well tolerated when taken alone. However, this herb interacts with other pharmaceutical drugs. For example, St. John's Wort should never be taken with any other antidepressant medication because of the potential for dangerous drug interactions. In addition, St. John's Wort may interact negatively with numerous other kinds of drugs including clozapine (Clozaril), olanzapine (Zyprexa) and protease inhibitors used in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. Despite these issues, St. John's Wort has proven benefits and can be valuable for certain individuals when used alone. SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine)

While some studies show that this supplement is efficacious in the treatment of depression, others show no effect. In addition, the usual dose that is recommended on labels is four times lower than the doses shown effective in studies. This hides the high cost of this supplement, which if taken properly, can cost over $200 a month.

Enough studies exist, however, to support the use of SAMe for some milder forms of depression. In addition, it is well tolerated and does not have many negative drug interactions. However, SAMe should not be taken with other antidepressant medications because of the potential for dangerous drug interactions. In addition, people with bipolar disorder should not take this supplement.

For those who are considering exploring the use of SAMe, there are several things to keep in mind: many products contain fillers and are not pure. If you are going to invest in this product, make sure that it is of "pharmaceutical grade" and at least 96% pure. In addition, only purchase enteric-coated SAM-e. Enteric-coating does not break down in the highly acidic environment of the stomach. Rather, it gets broken down in the intestines, where it is better absorbed by the body.

Fish Oil

Fish Oil contains essential fatty acids in the omega-3 family. Recent studies indicate that it is beneficial in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. In a study from Harvard Medical School, results suggested that that the omega-3s in salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and other deep sea, cold-water fish may have a profound effect on mood. The recommended dose for fish oil is 3-10 grams a day. Dosing instructions on the bottle are usually well below the recommended amounts for treating depression. There are brands that provide concentrated doses of fish oil, but you would likely need to take 3-9 soft gel capsules a day to obtain benefits split into three doses per day.

Another great benefit of fish oil is that you can take it with medications you are currently taking for depression without complication. Fish Oil has some blood-thinning properties, so if you are taking blood-thinning drugs, it is likely to accentuate the effect.

5 HTP (5 Hydroxytrypophan)

A number of studies in Europe indicate that this supplement is effective in the treatment of depression because it appears to raise levels of serotonin in the brain. In Europe, this supplement has been widely used to treat depression and insomnia for decades. 5-HTP is sometimes combined with St. John's Wort to enhance its effect. A typical dose of 5 HTP is 100-300 mg. three times a day.

There are several safety issues to be aware of if you are considering using this supplement: in 1998, the FDA found low levels of a dangerous chemical contaminant in one batch of 5-HTP products. However, since that time, there have been no reported problems with 5-HTP. Because 5-HTP raises serotonin levels in the brain, it should not be taken with other antidepressants because of the risk of developing "Serotonin Syndrome," a serious problem caused by excessively high levels of serotonin in the brain.

If you would like to learn about specific alternative healing topics, please e-mail me at sbatkin@earthlink.net and I will try to cover these issues in future articles.