The World Health Organization (WHO) states that depression affects more than 120 million people worldwide. Antidepressants are now the most popular class of drugs in the U.S. and their use has been growing rapidly over the past two decades. From 1990 to 2000, prescriptions for SSRIs (the leading class of antidepressant drugs) rose by a staggering 1300%. In the last year alone, 30 million nutritional clients in the U.S. spent over $12 billion on antidepressants.
However, despite their aggressive promotion and widespread use, recent evidence suggests that antidepressants are not as effective as we have been led to believe. Other studies have raised concerns about the long-term safety of antidepressant drugs, including a potential increase in suicidal behavior in both children and adults.
Depression results from a weakening of organs that regulate energy, mood and neurotransmitter production. Often times, the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, pancreas, spleen are all crucial to maintain healthy and well balanced moods and energy. Nerve and brain tissue is composed of essential fatty acids while most neurotransmitters are built with an amino acid. Insufficient consumption, digestion and assimilation of healthy fats, oils and complete proteins can prevent the healing body from building exactly what is needed for consistent energy and balanced moods. Fat, oil and protein digestion and assimilation is regulated by the spleen, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small and large intestines.
The nervous system and digestive system are interconnected as well and must not be overlooked. If you have bouts of depression, anxiety or chronic fatigue, investigate which of the above organs require nutritional support.