Research appearing in the American Journal of Psychiatry (March 1993;150:3:508-510) suggests that the thyroid may be involved with some cases of depression. It was a small study that looked at 16 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 15 with normal thyroid function. The frequency of depression over the course of a lifetime was higher in the Read More …
Depression and the Adrenals
Research appearing in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine (2005;67 (Supplement 1): S26-S28) helps to make the connection between the HPA (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal) axis and severe depression. The researchers tested the HPA axis by giving the subjects dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) and measuring plasma cortisol levels at different times on the following day. Dexamethasone works to Read More …
Depression and Obesity Increase Inflammatory Markers That Lead to Heart Disease
According to research published in the August, 2003 issue of Brain, Behavior and Immunity, obesity and depression can increase inflammation that can lead to heart disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a chemical that indicates the presence of inflammation, specifically inflammation that can irritate the lining of the arteries and lead to heart disease. A high Read More …
Anxiety and Insomnia
There is a disconnect with the actual nature of medication and the reality of their actions and side effects. We tend to think that drugs are safer than they really are, and we tend to think that they are more effective than they really are. Heath Ledger had problems with anxiety and sleeping, for which Read More …
Antidepressant Drugs Linked to Suicide
Last year (2003) British health authorities declared that most popular anti-depressants might sometimes increase the risk of suicidal behavior in children and teenagers. They declared all but one — Prozac — unsuitable for young people diagnosed with depression, but stopped short of a pediatric ban. In March, the FDA urged close monitoring of patients for Read More …
Anti Depressants are Bad to the Bone
Research appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2007;167:188-194) shows a connection between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (also called SSRIs—these are drugs like Prozac and other commonly used anti depressants) and fracture. Over 5000 subjects over the age of 50 were monitored for a period of five years. The researchers found that Read More …
Anxiety and Depression
Lifestyle and core health issues have a lot to do with depression. Smoking, drinking alcohol, drug abuse, prescription medications, nutritional deficiencies and even caffeine use can contribute to depression. Eating a lot of refined food is also a major contributing factor. One of the easiest and often most effective treatments for depression is to exercise Read More …
Acupuncture and the Gag Reflex
A small study published in the British Dental Journal (2006; 201(11): 721-5) looked at the effect acupuncture had on the gag reflex. There were 37 subjects, none of whom were able to have impressions taken because of a severe gag reflex. All of the subjects received acupuncture at one point (CV-24). After the acupuncture treatment Read More …
A Guide to a Healthy Mouth
The purpose of this article is to provide you, the health care practitioner and parent, information and a practical guide to approaching your child’s mouth with natural holistic ways to keep them healthy. REGULAR CHECKUPS There is nothing better for a child’s dental health then to bring them in to the dentist for regular checkups. Read More …
Thyroid Function During Pregnancy can Affect Child’s IQ
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (1999;341:549-555, 601-602), if a woman is pregnant and has an underactive thyroid, the IQ of the child may be adversely affected. Children between the ages of seven and nine, with mothers who had untreated hypothyroidism, scored an average of seven points lower on Read More …