The Naturopathic View

by Dr. Judith Fiore, ND
Winter 2006

 

As the holiday season comes upon us, and loved ones gather to celebrate, it can be difficult for anyone who is experiencing fertility problems. Often you are invited to family get-togethers where your brother cradles his baby girl, or your sister is happily wiping chocolate off her little boy’s cheeks. And you stand there with empty arms, facing yet another year without the promise of a baby. It is no wonder that it’s a time when feelings of sadness and hopelessness can be overwhelming. In this article, I will discuss how turning to naturopathy could help to improve your mood and help you to make it through the holidays feeling better about yourself.

 

Therapies to consider are nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture and herbs. As always, if you are currently taking fertility medications, please do not use herbal medicines. Otherwise, under the guidance of a knowledgeable practitioner, nutrition, homeopathy and acupuncture are all considered safe during a medically managed fertility cycle. In this article, I will discuss nutrition, homeopathy and the herb St. John’s Wort.

 

As we approach the holidays it is important to take care with our diet. This is a time of year when we tend to over indulge with high fat, high sugar foods. Other than holiday meals where favourite foods are enjoyed, try to balance those rich foods with a diet that features whole grains, fruits, vegetables, adequate water intake, organic chicken, wild fish, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Included would be a daily dosage of good quality fish oil, a multi vitamin, and other required supplements which I have detailed further on. Essential Fatty Acids are especially important, and I have included more information on them.

 

It is understood that EFAs (omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9) are a healthy part of the diet. There are many functions in the body that depend on these important fats, and to omit them would eventually lead to serious health problems. Of the three types, it is the omega-3 EFAs that are often deficient in our modern diets where fish is often avoided due to concerns with pollution.  Omega-3 EFAs are needed to keep nerve cells and brain cells functioning properly. When there is a deficiency of the omega-3 EFAs, and an excess of saturated fats in the diet, the membranes of these cells are less fluid. Fluidity is an important feature of any cell. It allows nutrients to move easily into the cell, and waste products to get out. Without the proper ratio of omega-3 EFAs in the diet, cell membranes tend to “stiffen”, they become less fluid and the cell’s internal environment suffers. When this happens to brain cells, it is postulated that an insufficiency of omega-3 oils in the diet will lead to depression. This hypothesis of depression has been supported by research showing that omega-3 fatty acid concentration in the blood of depressed patients is lower than that in control patients. This is further supported by the fact that the brain is the richest source of fatty acids in the human body, and since proper nerve cell function is critically dependent on proper membrane fluidity, a diet that is poor in the omega-3 fats will have an impact on behaviour, mood, and mental function.

 

Besides omega-3 EFAs, other nutrients that are considered helpful in preventing depression are listed here. Remember that this is not a complete list, and before supplementing you are encouraged to consult with a naturopathic doctor or nutritionist.

Inositol (a B-vitamin). Levels of inositol have been reported to be lower than normal in depression.

 

Vitamin B6  (Pyridoxine). B6 is essential for both physical and mental health and is intrinsic to more body functions than any other vitamin, mineral, or nutrient. Brain function, red blood cell formation, the central nervous system, absorption of fats and proteins, immune system function and the synthesis of DNA and RNA all require this vitamin. B6 is essential to the manufacture of serotonin (a chemical nerve transmitter in the brain) and low levels of serotonin are thought to be linked to depression. People with low B6 status usually respond well to supplementation. B6 deficiency may result from low dietary intake of vitamin B6, excess protein intake, consumption of yellow food dyes (hydralazine), alcohol consumption, or use of oral contraceptives.

 

Folic Acid. Depression is the most common symptom of a folic acid deficiency. Folic acid deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world. In studies of depressed patients, thirty-one to thirty-five percent have been shown to be deficient in folic acid.

 

Vitamin B12. B12 prevents nerve damage and anemia, and aids in cell and blood formation, proper digestion, fertility and growth. Long term vegans and those with digestive disorders are susceptible to B12 deficiency. B12 is useful for nervousness, insomnia, memory loss, depression, fatigue, and menstrual pain.

 

Homeopathic medicine has been in use for over 200 years. Homeopathic medicine is a system of medicine developed in the eighteenth century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Unlike conventional medicine where drugs are given to work against the body and its symptoms, homeopathic remedies work with the body to help stimulate the body to heal itself.

 

I have listed a few homeopathic remedies that are often considered for depression, however if you are interested in this treatment approach please see a naturopathic doctor or homeopath for the correct remedy and dosage for you.

 

Arsenicum album. There is anxiety with the depression, and is very worried about falling ill and dying. Very often there is restlessness, especially at night where they would be a lot of tossing and turning in bed. Tendency to be very pessimistic, don’t believe that anything will work out to their favour.

 

Aurum metallicum. A sense of loneliness and a lack of purpose will bring about a state of emptiness and despair. They often want to avoid other people, and may have feelings of guilt and regret about things they were unable to accomplish. In a severe state, there may be a desire to commit suicide, especially if there is great financial loss.

 

Causticum. This individual will have suffered several losses or events of grief that have happened one after the other and often result in a sense of injustice. There is often a flat affect; the individual seems to be detached with no emotions.

 

Ignatia. Best for depression due to a broken heart and betrayal, especially if this is due to a recent event. Often this results in the “Why me?” response. There may be a lot of sighing, sobbing, and a compulsive need to overeat.

 

Natrum muriaticum. If there are too many heart breaks, a person may turn to silent grief, never crying unless alone and/or listening to music. Usually there is a need to be left alone, and they will often dwell on the painful event.

 

Sepia. For women, Sepia is the more commonly prescribed remedy. The person is exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. She will feel indifferent to her loved ones, and wishes she could go away on a vacation to rest and replenish her energy. Men who are overworked and are carrying too many responsibilities may also slide into this state of exhaustion.

 

 

There are a number of botanicals that can be extremely helpful for improving mood and alleviating stress. Of the many herbs that are prescribed by naturopathic doctors and herbalists, St. John’s Wort is probably the best known. It has a long track record with herbalists for relieving sadness and melancholy. Clinical studies have shown that treatment with the active compound, hypericin, results in significant improvement in anxiety, depression and feelings of worthlessness.  It’s also been shown that St. John’s Wort improves sleep quality, which is typically a problem that appears with depression. It can be a welcome alternative to antidepressant medications and their side effects, since St. John’s Wort has few side effects.

 

A simple tea can be made by steeping one teaspoon of dried herb in a cup of boiling water for ten minutes. It is recommended that you take one to two cups of tea daily for four to six weeks. Please be aware that this herb should not be taken if pregnant, and to avoid intense sun exposure. If you are taking an SSRI drug such as Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil, then you should not use St. John’s Wort. Also, if you are currently taking fertility medications, avoid taking herbal medicines.

 

While depression is often helped by a naturopathic approach, it is also important to recognize that counselling may be needed. In severe cases of depression, it is imperative that you see your medical doctor. I know that depression can cause a downward spiral that may only be stopped with medical help. If, on the other hand, you have feelings of hopelessness and sadness that are not severe enough to warrant medication, then a visit to your naturopath or other alternative therapist may put things in a whole new light for you.

 

It’s also important to take time to laugh, to have fun. A comedy show, a funny film that you’ve heard about, a friend who always makes you laugh. Maybe your spouse is eager to share something fun and uplifting with you. Or it might be that the two of you wish to simply spend as much time as possible at home, puttering around the house and enjoying some quiet time together. However you decide to spend the holidays, I wish all of you much health and abundance of the season, and warmest wishes for the new year.

 

Dr. Judith Fiore, ND, a registered naturopathic doctor, owns and operates the Naturopathic Fertility Centre in Toronto. Her naturopathic practice is devoted entirely to providing care for individuals and couples with fertility concerns. She can be reached at 416-231-4477, or through her website at www.naturalfertility.ca.