Alternative treatment options like supplements and herbs are only suited for people battling mild symptoms of depression. While the items below may be enough to help an individual to manage their mood, these may not have an effect on people with severe symptoms of depression.
Before taking any supplements for depression, it's best to talk with your doctor first.
Folate
Folate is a B vitamin essential to neurological function and is believed to break down homocysteine, an amino acid that helps to produce SAM-e. Naturally, folate is present in many foods, including dark green leafy vegetables, milk products, eggs, and grains.
Several studies reveal a correlation between folate deficiency and depression. Research in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2005 indicated that folic acid - the synthetic form of folate marketed as supplements - may be effective in reducing depressive symptoms
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are core components of our bodies' building blocks for lipids or fats and are key elements of our cell membranes. Some studies have indicated omega-3 fatty acids can relieve depressive symptoms in both adults and children.
A Cochrane review in 2008 of five studies of omega-3 fatty acids as an add-on treatment for bipolar disorder found that these supplements are unlikely to alleviate manic symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, but could help to enhance depressive symptoms.
St. John's wort
St. John's wort is a herb with yellow flowers that, according to the National Institutes of Health, has been used for decades to help with mental health issues and is commonly prescribed for depression in Europe.
Some controlled studies of patients with mild to moderate depression cases have shown similar improvements to antidepressants when taking St. John's wort, but the data are limited by low sample size and irregular diagnostic criteria.
What's more, research is mixed. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2002 found that St. John's wort was no more effective than placebo for moderate to serious depression, and a study published in the Journal of Clinical Studies in 2011 found that the remedy was ineffective in mild to moderate cases.
SAM-e
S-adenosyl-L-methionine, or SAM-e, is a compound that is naturally produced in the body and also made as dietary supplements. Several studies have found the supplement showing promise in the treatment of depressive symptoms.
SAM-e's antidepressant mechanism is still ambiguous, but some researchers believe it works by suppressing some genes involved in breaking up serotonin and dopamine, the "feel-good" hormones that control and regulate mood.
SAM-e supplement capsules range from 800 mg to 1600 mg daily and maybe a suitable treatment method for patients who have not responded well to conventional antidepressant medicines.
