St John's Wort

[lushy]

St John's Wort

Suze, you can buy 5htp and SAMe at the Health Store here. I also recommend a book called "Natural Highs" by Hyla Cass. She has some excellent information in there about nutrients to help with depression, addiction, etc. Really good read and very informative.

[Accountable for Me]

St John's Wort

gonegator, I believe "Google" brought us both to the same references LOL! I use to browse around that website as well when I first started the SJW.

[gonegator]

St John's Wort

oh yes, the great Google strikes again :H

[The Londoner]

St John's Wort

Zinc Deficiency and Depression

Hi Suze et al
No experience of St John's Wort but seems there may be a link between zinc deficiency and depression
Have a read, see what you think:
(para 6 mentions a link between zinc deficiency and alcoholism, so stay with it!)

Anna :h

Symptoms Of Zinc Deficiency
By Stewart Hare*


There is a range of effects that signal zinc deficiency such as retardation of growth in children, male reproduction, low blood sugar, poor bone growth, brain disorders, high blood cholesterol, poor circulation, eating disorders, problems with female reproduction, poor skin, nails and hair conditions and poor sense of taste and smell.


Zinc is essential for sexual reproduction and development. Sperm needs zinc to function properly; any deficiency in zinc will affect fertility. Deficiency in zinc interferes with the cell division in sperm. Young boys going through puberty need higher levels of zinc to develop healthy reproductive organs. Any deficiency of zinc and the body will draw it from other areas such as the brain which could then lend to learning problems through puberty.

The prostate gland has the highest concentration of zinc in the body. The lack of zinc in older men has been linked to inflammation of the prostate gland known as prostatitis.

Zinc helps in the way the body regulates the high and lows of blood sugar level and it has been linked to help people who have hypoglycaemia. The deficiency of zinc has an effect on circulation; it has been linked to cold hands and feet and high blood pressure. Cholesterol in the blood has a tendency to rise if there is a deficiency of zinc in the body.

Painful hip and knee joints have been linked to zinc deficiency, this is because the bones contain a large amount of zinc and any deficiency will cause them to become thicker and shorter causing pain and other symptoms. Also the body?s ability to heal would be compromised if there is a zinc deficiency.

Zinc deficiency in children can cause all types of brain disorders such as mild to severe retardation, dyslexia and other problems with mental development. This is because the area of the brain that controls emotions need to contain high levels of zinc. Depression and mental lethargy can also result from zinc deficiency. Mental diseases such as epilepsy and schizophrenia have been associated with the lack of zinc. The lack of zinc can also have a marked effect on emotional and addictive behaviour such as alcoholism and obsessions. In the case of alcoholism, alcohol depletes zinc from the body when it is consumed which then in turn starts a downward cycle of craving for more alcohol which then results in more depletion of zinc and so on. Zinc deficiency has also been linked with antisocial behaviour such as delinquency and criminality.

Zinc deficiency has been associated as one of the contributing aspects to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. It has been noted that some people with anorexia nervosa loose the sense of taste, this links with zinc deficiency as it is known that some people with zinc deficiency have a poor sense of taste (ageusia) and smell (anosmia). Zinc supplement are known to stimulate appetite and improve food intake with people who have eating disorders.

The lack of zinc can cause problems with female reproduction; it can cause lack of ovulation, late onset of menstruation and amenorrhea (lack of periods).

Zinc deficiency has an effect on the skin, nails and promotes poor growth of hair. The skin looses its flexibility and elasticity and is prone to stretch marks, this affects pregnant women especially. Acne, boils, dermatitis, psoriasis and white marks on fingernails all respond to extra zinc in the diet.

Lack of zinc has also been associated with gum inflammation, increased risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, poor wound healing, eczema, tinnitus and acute diarrhoea in Third World children.

Zinc deficiency is common in low-income pregnant women, pregnant teenagers, people suffering from liver cirrhosis, people with Down?s syndrome, children with alopecia areata, vegetarians, alcoholics, people with sickle cell anaemia, people with chronic kidney disease and malabsorption problems.

Typical signs of zinc deficiency in a person are loss of appetite, poor sense of smell and taste, tendency towards depression, white marks on fingernails, pale skin, frequent infections, low fertility, stretch marks, prostate problems, stunted growth, mental problems, poor wound healing, a poor immune system, diarrhoea, mental lethargy, poor appetite, rough skin, weight loss, ache and greasy skin.

To treat zinc deficiency, it is best to advise a person to increase foods that are high in zinc content within their diet. These foods are Oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecan nuts, dry split peas, haddock, green peas, shrimps, turnips, Brazil nuts, egg yolks, whole wheat grain, rye, oats, peanuts and almonds. Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed butter are excellent sources of this vital mineral.

Good stomach acid, vitamin A, E and B6, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus will all help with the absorption of zinc.

Phytates (wheat), alcohol, oxalates such as rhubarb and spinach, stress, high calcium, high sugar intake, copper and low protein intake will all hamper the absorption of zinc.

Zinc supplements will also help with zinc deficiency; this can be either in the form of zinc sulphate or zinc gluconate ranging from doses of 15 to 300 mg for an adult. Chelated zinc is the best form of zinc supplements to be taken.

In conclusion, zinc is an essential mineral with over 300 enzymes reliant on it to help heal wounds, maintain fertility in adults, protect against free radicals, promote healthy growth in children, boost immunity, synthesise protein, preserve good vision and help cells reproduce. Deficiency is very common (especially in the Third World) and can cause major health complaints, zinc deficiency can be over come by consuming the right diet full of foods that are high in zinc and by supplementing the diet with chelated zinc.

[Finding My Self]

St John's Wort

Anna - you star!!!!!!

Well, that's IT... got the lot and live in The Fourth World...Cornwall... No, I jest and have no intention of speaking against the Third World...

But seriously, there are lots of things there for me...including even the sore knees and hips!!

Used to take it (good to prevent colds) and am going straight into the HF shop tomorrow for a high dose chelated version...and having haddock and pumpkin seed rissoles with shrimp and turnip mash with an egg yolk on top!!! (lol!)

Thanks Anna

Love FMF xx

[Finding My Self]

St John's Wort

Suze!!! Just before I posted for Anna I had to get a tissue!! Tears streaming down my face! Must have bi-polar (again not meant to 'mock') as, ok, feeling not too bad, I came in and read your post.... well, :H :upset: :H !!! I haven't laughed so much in ages! Something about the 'snort' that especially got me!! And 'Porthemmet' is soooh good! And so good to know someone knows what it's like here! I am sorry your family have had a bad summer - yup, not a good one all round for tourism here. Worrying. I hope your family are ok.

Not any better in torrential rain today either! Spent the afternoon 'doing a JK Rowling' - i.e. using the local cafe's heat and company (Waterstones) to sit and tap at the laptop (do it here at 'home' and it'd be more than depression!)...a hard letter finished, no novel I'm afraid although it feels like it! Amazing the people and conversation you get in to though! I just might have 'got' a singing pupil 'out of' one of them too!

Thanks for the reminder about mind-mapping...'twas never very good at it - too linear I think (not that you'd believe that reading my posts!) but will 'brain storm on a huge bit of paper (it'll need to be!) and, yes, one thing a day (OTAD for me!)...

Thanks everyone else for their in-put. Yes, perhaps we can post away on reactive depression - we need something as meds wont do us any good if that's what it is... seratonin levels are a delicate balance and if we don't need it we can actually bring on chemical depression!! Eeek!

Right, clearly a '!' evening so before I wear the key out I'm off to African Drumming.... (!)

Love to all,
FMF xx

[lilnev]

St John's Wort

St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, and SAMe are all non-prescription. You should be able to find them at a good pharmacy or nutritionists.

Your body does the following: Tryptophan -> 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) -> serotonin -> melatonin.
So tryptophan, an amino acid in your diet, is the biosynthetic precursor to both serotonin and melatonin. 5-HTP is simply one step closer. Melatonin is important in regulating sleep, which is why you might find tryptophan marketed as a 'sleep aid', and suggested to be taken before bed. In rats, tryptophan or 5-HTP have been shown to raise brain serotonin levels (though I don't know if they were specifically depleted of serotonin beforehand?). It's been effective in clinical trials, at least for mild to moderate depression. You should talk to a doctor before taking it if you're also on an antidepressant -- there's a thing called serotonin syndrome that can result from too much serotonin. Otherwise it's generally safe and without side effects.

St. John's Wort is also clinically effective. It's mechanism is thought to be similar to the modern reuptake inhibitors, but the details are unclear (and there may be more than one active ingrediant). It can cause gastrointestinal problems or light sensitivity (both eyes and sunburns). Again, in conjunction with antidepressants you're at risk for serotonin syndrome.

SAM-e is an activated form of methionine that's involved in the synthesis of dopamine and norepenephrine -- two other neurotransmitters related to serotonin. I think their role in depression is not as clear, but some of the modern antidepressants have significant action on those systems as well as, or even instead of (e.g. Wellbutrin) the serotonergic system.

Speaking of prescription antidepressants, different ones work for different people. The first one you try is about 50% likely to help you (it takes 2-4 weeks to really kick in though); but if it doesn't, there's still a good chance that a different one will.

I know that depression and alcohol abuse were tightly linked in me, and feeding off each other. I would tell myself that I was going to quit drinking, but I was living in such a hole, that after a day or three (or sometimes even less), I'd throw up my metaphorical hands and start drinking just to escape myself. I tried SJW with some effect, but not enough (and I wasn't entirely faithful about the 3 times/day schedule). 5-HTP by itself didn't do much for me. I finally went to the doc and asked for a prescription (citalopram), and that got me out of my hole so I have enough strength to tackle the booze. So I would definitely recommend addressing depression, either first or simultaneously.

Finding My Feet: Maybe you should talk to your doc about changing your prescription, either to a higher dose or a different med?

slightlysuze: Your description -- depressed, but also happy and bouncy -- sounds more like bipolar. The treatments are generally different. Have you talked to a professional?

peace,
lilnev

[SheDoesSmile]

St John's Wort

Well, my first post . . . and in response, pretty much to FMF's 4:42 yesterday post because you "hit me." I haven't joined yet . . will in a week or so when I get the finances straightened out . . . depressed? why? why think of drinking? SJW? or others? I, with my doctor's guidance, took MYSELF off Lexapro . . . after 3 years . . . before that it can't remember right now . . . for almost two years (cripes, Zoloft) . . . I started problem drinking because of a troubled marriage. I did all the crap I was supposed to do . . . and then at 6:45 every night I popped the wine cork . . . after about two years I (and much ado. . . later entertainment!) sought help. Pill dispensers! My God! I've been a secret mess! Along with the Lexapro, I was given Xanex and sleep aids . . . and heck no! No way did I put the wine down! How could I! So, six months ago, I thought it all had to go . . . slowly . . . here I am. How do I feel? Some days crazy. Some days not. BUT! Isn't it best to NOT put into your body? . . . maybe just shake it out a little? I can't tell you (battery is dying here . . . may go) if I'm NOT going to seek something other than a multiple on down the road . . . but for now, I'm too afraid to pop another pill OR toss back another wine bottle . . . my body needs a rest . . . God knows my brain does . . . and yes, I'm packing my suitcase FMF -- finally got the friggin guts . . . am getting on a plane, flying 4000 miles away, leaving my kid (one more year to make it to university, hope to God he does), and getting the flip out . . . . depression . . . change the playground . . . take care of your own soul . . . try NOT to hurt others BUT YOUR soul comes FIRST. After 50 years I've figured it out.

[Finding My Self]

St John's Wort

SheDoesSmile.....and I'm glad you do! Hello!

Wow, that wasa powerful post...sounds full of incredibly valid thoughts and feelings which, by their very nature, elude our common vocabulary and live 'between the lines' as it were...

So, I hope I've got it right....no more'stuff' going in to your body while you sort out why they were goig there in the first place? Brave stuff - difficult and painful. But, I am sure you are right; worth every flinch in the end... and jumping on a plane for YOU rather than a 'multiple donw the road'....yup, sounds better to me!!

Why 4,000 miles?! Well, none of my business of course and I hope it's a really good move (!) for you... and that your kid gets to university. Yes, they are their own people even by that age but....still so hard to 'let go'!

'Change the playground' is a good'un! Lightens the 'fear' around 'moving away'...

BTW, I hope it was a 'good' "Hit You"...!?? And are you looking for finances to use all the sups and CD's or just come here? Coz you can come here without and start with the support and care here....add the supps etc later? One great thing here is that when you're feeling crazy one day, there will be a plethora of people here to feel crazy with...(!)..usually me. That has been one of the main routes to AF for me - support through the times I felt so alone that booze seemed (hmmm, just seemed) the only 'friend' I had in the world.

I hope you find the things you need to feel really good about your next chapter in life, SheDoesSmile...

Lilnez - that was an amazingly clear post! Thanks for getting in down with such clarity... Thing is I was very aware that actually 5mg (almost sub-clinical) citalopram was enough, 10mg worked the first time around (when I got too p'd off cutting such tiny tablets in half!)
but that I got worse again at 15mg...so...? And I've seen an ex partner go through such hell with some of the others that...no, I wasn't feeling really bad enough to try I guess! I know I am assensitive to meds as booze so..... With me it is more about asking for my needs to be met in life...sounds obvious but I am spectacularly bad at that!!! A couple of days ago Flip said, "The squeakiest wheel gets the most oil" and it spoke VERY LOUDLY to me!! I simply have to start squeaking in a positive way rather than just bouncing around making a lot of noise with no direction! (You know, the old, "No, No! No problem...I don't mind...." stuff, when I most certainly do inside!) So, back to "YOUR soul comes first"....so true and if I don't look after my own, why should I expect anyone else to treat it with any sort of respect?

Thanks for this great thread, Suze...hope you're feeling a bit lighter of heart inside.

Love to all
FMF xx

[slightlysuze]

St John's Wort

Some powerful stuff there, SDS....hope you are moving on in your life with a sense of calm and purpose. This place is good...full of supportive, kind people sharing the journey. Hope to see you here more!

FMF....loved the image of you 'Rowling' in the rain LOL. Funny that you said mind-mapping was linear...I think of it as parallel, tangential...maybe because I don't follow the proper rules, I just scribble all over a big bit of paper. It helps me see the relationship between apparently separate bits of my life. I couldn't get on with the Buzan book - a bit too prissy! Maybe it's because I'm a visual sort of person...seeing things written down/squiggly drawings makes thing really stick in my head? This reminds me...I ought to practice what I preach...my house is a real mess at the moment and my head is full of fluff :H

C'mon, now, FMF.....we want to hear you SQUEAK!!!:h

Thanks, I feel a bit better today. How about you?

Suze x

[Finding My Self]

St John's Wort

SQUEAK!!!!



:H

:h

[slightlysuze]

St John's Wort

Finding My Feet;209907 wrote: .and having haddock and pumpkin seed rissoles with shrimp and turnip mash with an egg yolk on top!!! (lol!)

LMAO :H Sounds nice, though! And I'm going to get some zinc.....

Suze x

[slightlysuze]

St John's Wort

darn...posted without reading the update.....FMF.....


I HEAR YOU!

Wassup??

Suze xx