Folic Acid Treatments And Antidepression Therapy

Guest Blog by: Joi Gilliam

Over the years, there have been many theories and techniques for antidepression therapy. Although medication and psychotherapy are two of the most popular techniques, there is still little that is known about effectively treating depression. Many patients will spend years trying out different medications that might help, but do not fully treat the symptoms of depression. Surprisingly, the answer to antidepressant therapy may lie in folic acid treatments.

While there is still much that is unknown about depression, doctors do know that depression is caused by an imbalance of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are used to regulate different moods, and many patients will need to treat their depression by addressing one or two of these chemical imbalances. Patients with major depressive symptoms show a folate deficiency, which can directly result in these chemical imblances. Additionally, folic acid deficiency is genetic and for a number of patients, this deficiency is a contributing factor in depression. The brain uses folate to help regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Current anti-depression treatments attempt to treat the neurotransmitter imbalances by simply replacing these chemicals. However, this is ineffective because it does not provide a natural balance for those neurotransmitters. For many patients, these treatments work better when used in conjunction with L-methylfolate, which is a metabolized form of folate. L-methylfolate is the only form of folic acid that can penetrate the blood brain barrier. Once this supplement is introduced into the brain, it can better regulate those neurotransmitters that are causing depression by naturally allowing the brain to create a better balance.

Two recent studies have shown that patients being treated with L-methylfolate are two times more likely to experience asignificant improvement in their antidepressant treatment. Even patients that do not currently show depressive symptoms can benefit from an L-methylfolate treatment, since patients with a folic acid deficiency are more likely to later develop depression.

Five Natural Ways to Cure Insomnia

Are you suffering from insomnia? These five tips will help you get rid of insomnia once and for all!

Is sleep deprivation making you depressed and irritable? You are not alone. Many people in the world are suffering from insomnia. Some people become so desperate to get a good night’s sleep that they resort to prescription medications. Perhaps the best medicine of all is to cure your insomnia naturally and start listening to your body. The following suggestions will help you overcome insomnia!

Make your bedroom a comfortable place. Get rid of the clutter in the room. Make sure you have the right mattress for your needs. The wrong mattress will keep you up all night. Creating a comfortable bedroom takes some effort, but it will result in lower stress levels and a better night’s sleep.

Establish a regular sleep schedule. Calculate a bedtime that will allow you to get 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night. Get out of bed at the same time every day, even on weekends. Your body will set its internal clock to your schedule.

Don’t take naps. No matter how tired you may be, afternoon naps will make falling asleep at night more difficult. Sleeping too much on weekends can also disrupt your sleep schedule and make your insomnia worse.

Insomnia and coffee go hand in hand. Don’t drink more than one or two cups of coffee each day. Remember that some sodas and green tea contain caffeine. Switching to decaf is also a great way to beat insomnia.

If you feel tense, try scented candles, a massage, relaxing music, chamomile, or a hot bath. You can also try valerian, kava, passion flower, lemon balm, or melatonin, but be sure to speak with your physician before trying these supplements.