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Eternal
Health Radio Program
ETERNAL
HEALTH RADIO SHOW: On 89.7 FM on Tuesday nights
7.30-9.00pm
The
Shows highlights:
RADIO
SHOW 14/5/01
HIGHLIGHTS DEPRESSION
Winter in the
southern hemisphere is a good time to focus on depression.
There is a condition labelled seasonal affective disorder,
which is associated with the shorter, darker days typical
of this season. According to current figures approximately
17 million Americans are medically depressed, this number
being close to five percent of the population.
There is every
reason to believe that the statistics are very similar
in Australia. This would mean that nearly one million
Australians are clinically depressed.
Sadly only one
third of depressives receive treatment and up to 15%
of severely ill depressed patients will ultimately commit
suicide. Clearly this problem is not being managed effectively.
A recent study
on depression found in the Journal of the American Medical
Association located at www.jama.com
homed in on the herb st. johns wort and its ineffectiveness
in treating severe depression. Any herbalist worth their
salt will tell you that st.johns wort is used for treating
mild to moderate depression but is completely inappropriate
for managing the major form of this disorder.
Surprisingly we
still don’t know the exact cause of this exacting
disease but we are now tending to regard it more as
a biochemical malfunction hence the focus on drug treatments
which rectify faulty brain biochemistry. For some this
type of therapy has been a godsend.
For those who
experience depression without any obvious precipitating
event the following would be useful:
1. Ensure your
diet contains a good supply of protein and complex carbohydrates.
2. Have your thyroid hormone levels measured.
3. Make sure your glucose metabolism is optimal by having
your glucose and insulin levels measured before and
after a glucose drink.
4. Check your levels of B12, folic acid, zinc, magnesium
and the amino acid tryptophan all of which contribute
to effective brain functioning.
5. Exercise regularly.
6. Undergo allergy testing. Wheat allergy may be implicated.
7. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and foods high in sugar and
saturated fat.
8. Utilise light therapy especially in winter.
9. Measure your levels of the hormones DHEA and melatonin.
DHEA has been used effectively to treat depression.
Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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