Stress out
Mike Mclnnes of health supplement retailer lso Active argues for what he sees is a viable alternative to prescription drugs in the fight against depression.
he connection between biological stress and depression is now firmly established. For several decades low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin have constituted the theoretical underpinning for depression. Although serotonin is involved. this theory is now well past its sell by date. Biological stress may be initiated for a wide variety of reasons:
illness of any type. the taking of
certain prescription medications. or deficiencies of energy and nutrition and poor recovery biology during sleep. During episodes of biological stress. chronic cortisone downgrades cortisone receptors in the limbic system which regulates mood and appetite. Loss of these receptors inhibits the negative feedback
signal to reduce cortisone production and ongoing
production continues to wreak further damage and brain cells are deprived of energy. We see this directly in memory loss where chronic cortisone attacks and shrinks the hippocampus. the memory centre. A similar situation occurs in other areas of the limbic system. which regulates emotional status. Anti-depressive drugs act by re- establishing cortisone receptors and therefore enhancing the negative feedback signal which in turn replenishes normal energy
102 THE LIST 21 Jul 4 Aug 2005)
overproduction of
overproduction of
HEALTH
partition in the brain. Depression
is therefore essentially a disease of
brain energy depletion. is linked to memory loss in the limbic system
via loss of hippocampus and other
cells. and connects powerfully with liver glycogen (glucose) depletion. characteristic of the modern diet. which activates the adrenal (stress) glands.
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is the most interesting of all the natural supplements used in depression. It is sourced from an African herb called Griffonia Simplicifolia and is relatively free of side effects. In the past. tryptophan. an amino acid. was widely used as an anti-depressant. Tryptophan competes with other amino acids for transport across the blood/brain barrier.
Tryptophan is converted to 5- HTP and then into serotonin. so 5- HTP is the intermediary between the two. Unlike tryptophan. 5- HTP does not compete with amino acids for transport into the brain and therefore its uptake is facilitated more effectively. Furthermore. tryptophan is taken tip by other tissues for protein synthesis which reduces its availability for transport into the brain. Tryptophan is also used as a precursor in niacin (vitamin B3) synthesis. further reducing its availability for conversion to serotonin.
Serotonin is a precursor of
melatonin. the hormone directly
involved in sleep regulation. Melatonin reacts to the dark period of the light/dark cycle via signals to the pineal gland (‘the third eye‘) and prepares the body for sleep induction. SIITP. via conversion to serotonin and melatonin. improves sleep. in contrast to the anti-depressant SSRIs. which disrupt normal sleep.
Increased serotonin levels contribute to improved emotional and psychological states. This is connected to reduction in the activity of the transmitters. dopamine and noradrenaline. which are associated with increased alertness and psycho- active states.
In the brain serotonin acts as a satiety signal. and some serotonin- raising drugs do express weight loss as a side effect. There is every reason to assume that 5-HTP may play a role here also.
5-HTP is an effective alternative to the SSRIs. is consistently less likely to cause unpleasant side effects and certainly should be considered as a safe natural alternative. Clinical depression should always be treated with medical supervision and anyone wishing to use S—IITP should do so with the agreement and knowledge of their doctor.
For more information call Iso Active on 0131 622 5101 or 0141 847 0565
Doctors' notes
I Napiers Herbal Health opened its first herbal dispensary in Edinburgh 145 years ago, and many of its original herbal remedies are still best-sellers today. To celebrate, it is offering a 10% online discount on its favourite ‘herbal heroes’ until 31 July. So, if you have an allergy, are feeling stressed out or fancy a detox, go to www.napiers.net. I This year. the FPA (formerly known as the Family Planning Association) celebrates 75 years as the UK's leading sexual health charity, improving the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK. lts website (www.fpa.org.uk) charts the fascinating development of the organisation and contemporary anecdotes portray the grim reality for poor women in the 19308. underlining why its creation was so vital.
I This year, as every year, the FPA launches Sexual Health Week which is 1-7 August. The aim is to inform the public, health care professionals and the media about sexual health. Go to the website for campaign information. It’s also good source of advice on all aspects of sexual health and where to get practical help if you need it.
I It's ice-cream season and generally that means chucking a low calorie lifestyle out the window. But there are some reasonably guilt free alternatives. Magnum Light hasn't lost much of its full-fat cousin's taste for only having 84kcal and 9.99 of fat. Marks & Spencer Count On Us Toffee Cream Swirl Lolly has 90kca| and a teeny weenie 1.39 of fat. Or, for retro value. go for a chocolate Mini Milk. which only has 29kcal and 0.7g of fat. You might have to have two though.