Depression : Is it seratonin or SSRI deficiency? (Part 2)

As we have witnessed in recent years (till present time), there are much more cases of mental disorders amongst the population. From depression to bipolar disorders and even ADHD which is common with children nowadays, how often we ask ourselves why is this happening? Instead of popping pills like candies without proper extended diagnosis and functional investigation in a more holistic approach, the medical condition diagnosis and treatment look hopeless and broken. In this case, we are referring to mental health and depression.

As we walk into a doctor's office, most of the patients have less then 30-45 seconds before the medical doctor interrupt you and reach for that prescription pad. How often does a medical doctor really listen to a patient? Not to mention thorough assessments and find out about your digestion, sleep quality, hydration, movement or even diet and nutrition. The problem is, most conventional medical doctors are not trained to do such investigation and assessments, and legally speaking, these medical professionals are concern of being sued or stripped off their doctors' licenses if practice any other approaches which is against the code of conduct or agreement. 

In today's post, let's discuss how certain genes may play a vital role in susceptibility of mental disorders or depression. Before we continue, or if you are on SSRI medications, please take note that this is NOT a medical advice nor treatment. Do consult your medical doctor for advise before you take any action yourself. Although the facts presented here are primarily based on research and literatures, always work with your medical doctor especially if you are on anti-depressant drugs. 

As we have all heard about how genes may affect our body and health and susceptibility of diseases and medical conditions, how much truth in that? Well, according to the largest human genetics research (The Human Genome Project), the scientists have concluded that our genes could affect our health and susceptibility of disorders or diseases, but only 5% in most individuals. In a minority, some people may inherit up to 10% of gene makeup from their ancestors. What does that tell you? Does it mean that you are born to develop diabetes or depression? Do you have to give up your life because your parents or grandparents died of heart disease or cancer? Of course not. Yes, if you inherit certain genes which may increase the susceptibility of certain medical conditions, you can still take control of your life and health, by determining and controlling other variables and factors in life, such as diet, environmental stressors, stress levels, toxins exposure, exercise, etc.

As it is easy to give up on taking control and ownership of our lives, blaming others and playing the finger pointing game, many of us are living in  'Child's mind in an adult's body'. These individuals tend not to take responsibility of their lives and bodies, and often stay in comfort zone in most of the time, looking for quick fixes and ignoring what is happening around them and not listening to the body's signs and symptoms. 

Now, let's bring up the discussion of MTHFR. For most people, it is something new, but in the field of medicine, more and more medical doctors are aware of this, thankfully. MTHFR genetic mutations has been critical in terms of susceptibility of long list of diseases including depression and other mental/neurological disorders. This will be one of the three genes I will discuss in this post today.

What is MTHFR? Well, you can google many different websites with similar elaborations and explanation what it is all about. Yes, I have to admit that the entire MTHFR understanding is very complex, but I will try to make it easy to understand for you readers out there. Before I continue, let me make it clear that I'm NOT the expert of this field. Based on my own intensive research and reviewing literatures conducted on MTHFR, I'm hoping to share this important awareness to more people especially my own clients. 

Let's think of it as 2 different phases of 'ball passing' for the entire MTHFR process to complete successfully. The methylation process in the body is so complex, that I think intensive and thorough research with hours and hours of reading medical journals is required to fully understand how it actually work. the acronym of MTHFR is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Forget about the scienfitic name, but you have to realize that folate is the key nutrient needed to produce the end phase of methyl-folate before being passed on to 2nd phase. 

Please take note that we are still discussing about how MTHFR could affect mental health and depression. Although there are other long list of medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease, etc which are more susceptible if one inherit one or two of the copies of MTHFR mutated genes.  If an individual inherit one copy of the mutated genes, he or she is associated with 30-40% of reduced capacity of enzymes activity for the body to do its job. And if you inherit both the mutated copies of MTHFR genes, the association is 60-70% and that's bad news. 

Let's zone in abit on phase 1 for MTHFR process. Think of walking down the stairs or passing the ball from one end to the other. There are few (primarily 5) steps in phase 1 prior to successfully making the end product of methyl-folate. Think of first step of the stairs where folate needs to bind to its receptors and making its way to final step in order to successfully become active form of methyl-folate. The are other factors why certain people unable to successfully produce sufficient amount of methyl-folate in the body. One of the reasons are due to synthetic supplement form of folic acid. Most people have heard of this nutrient as it is prescribed by medical doctors to patients especially women. Bear in mind, folic acid is NOT recognized by the body and is not bio-available. None of us should be taking this synthetic form of supplement. Folic acid from supplements will block the receptors of folate in the cells and disabling natural folate from binding into its own receptors. This will cause problems as it will reduce the body's capacity to produce the end product of methyl-folate.

You must be asking, "What if my doctor tell me to take folic acid?" Well, do your homework and research, bring the concern to your doctor and work with him. Always remember, your doctor is suppose to work with you on your medical condition, and you have every right to fire your doctor if you feel he or she is incompetent and refuse to look at the medical literatures you are presenting right in front of him.  

Now, assume that your body can make methyl-folate with flying colors, you still need another nutrient called Methylcobalamin (B12).  Both of these bio-available B vitamins are then passed on to next phase with involved SAMe. What is SAMe? First of all, it is a powerful natural anti-depressant, and also pre-cursors to neurotransmitters such as serotonin, melatonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It is needed to produce these vital neurotransmitters that keep us happy, optimistic, mentally focused, calm and able to sleep well too. It is the body's primary methyl donor, which does tons of critical stuff.

For some people, the first phase of methyl-folate and B12 production may be ideal, but they have problem producing sufficient SAMe in the body, the crucial methylation pathways will also suffer, resulting in long list of biochemical and physiological disorders. These methyl donors are critical for the completion of both phases to successfully do its job. Please note that methyl-folate gets handed off along with methylcobalamin, which is B12. It’s the body’s number one active form of B12. There’s three of them. To keep it simple, methylcobalamin is number one, most active in circulation. It tag teams with the methylfolate.

Next, we then have genetic variable called MAO-A. Monoamine oxidase A, known as X linked genes, a 'fast-reacting' genes which produces enzymes to clear out or destroy serotonin neurotransmitters in the brain. What that means is women have two genes for MAO, because it’s X. They have two X chromosomes. Men, have an X and a Y. Women can burn through their 5-HTP faster because their MAO-A enzyme, they have twice as much as men. Bear in mind, women typically have twice the amount of these MAO-A enzymes in the body/brain then most men do. What that means is women are more susceptible to depression because that MAO-A is clearing out that 5-HTP faster than the men. Thus, the rate of serotonin depletion in women is much higher then men. Other neurotransmitters such as dopamine may also be depleted in some people with higher amount of MAO-A enzymes. Wonder why more women are suffering from depression compared to men?

Another genetic variable which is CBS genes. It is arguably the number one gene which is associated with high level of homocysteine. If someone has elevated homocysteine, their ability to make neurotransmitters and have them work goes way down. If you have the CBS problem, and that’s a slow down of the gene, same with MTHFR. Now, you must be asking yourself, with all these concerns about possible genes mutation which may increase the susceptibility of depression, where can I get tested? Or what should I do? I have list down couple of websites which provide these specific genetic profile testing and I will be back soon for next post on other variables which can play a role in depression. Stay tuned.

Where can I get tested?
http://moleculartestinglabs.com
https://www.23andme.com



MTHFR, MAO, CBS journals:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1810582/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18370582
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26021967
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24123968
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR
http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=207557
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25828849
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25961058
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26028548
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24443391
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24577139
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24091066
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25528761

Depression : Is it seratonin or SSRI deficiency? (Part 1)

Have you ever feel depressed or anxious from time to time? Have you ever been diagnosed with depression or any mental disorders? As more people are being diagnosed with depression, it is the world’s second biggest cause of disability, according to a study by researchers from The University of Queensland. If you are one of victims and seeking for alternative solutions or knowing more about this condition, this topic series may well be your life safer.

As experts predicted that this condition will likely be the number one cause of disability globally in years to come, the statistics are not looking good, in terms of conventional diagnosis and treatment, and many more people are suffering from this illness, as of present time and future. Is there one approach or treatment for every different individual? It is often easy to apply the same 'one size fits all' approach to every patient when he or she walks into the doctor's clinic. But, many of us now realized that in terms of disease diagnosis and treatment, conventional paradigm of medical drugs may well be a huge failure, accompanied with side effects which cause more problems (side effects) to the body then attempting to fix anything.

In a similar analogy, conventional approach for patients who suffer from fever to go on paracetamol or aspirin, or in the field of dietary, or cancer patients undergo chemotherapy/radiation for a hopeful treatment. Most authors of diet books will claim that their own diet protocol is healthy and suit everyone else and there is no difference between many fitness professionals who proudly endorse their own workout DVDs and claim to be the best weight loss program ever. 

We humans, are biochemical individuals, and with our own unique physiological adaptation and built, genes are being expressed constantly, be it from our diet, lifestyle or environmental stressors. Thus, 'one size fits all' approach by treating all depressed patients with SSRI drugs seemed to be an easy puzzle to solve. Does it really work? How effective is SSRI drugs? 

In conventional medicine, SSRI (anti-depressant) drugs are prescribed to patients primarily diagnosed with depression or showed any symptoms of anxiety or similar mental disorders. It is primarily based on a neurotransmitter model. The idea is to recycle and use the available seratonin neurotransmitters in the brain for a longer period of time. However, this approach failed to assess other factors or possibilities for triggering or increase the likelihood of depression in an individual. As for some patients, it may worked for a short period, but the root cause was never investigated, and in most cases, the condition worsen and new sets of symptoms may appear overtime. Same apply for most alternative treatments, where patients are given Tryptophan or 5-HTP supplements to treat depression. For most people, it may improve the condition and make that individual feels better, but still, the underlying cause is yet to be identified, although this approach is a natural and less side effects. 

Some of the possible factors we will learn in this topic discussion includes gut to brain axis, co-factors function of primary neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, the role of chronic inflammation in depression, toxins and diet as one of the culprits in making an individual become depressed, and also certain genes which can deplete one's serotonin faster then others or block production of neurotransmitters. If you have read my earlier posts on Brain Chemicals, this would be an extension and updated version of brain health and depression.

As statistics have shown that up to 60% of total patients have unsuccessful results or effect from anti-depressant drugs during 1st prescription from doctors. For some, they may feel better but it is not a long term fix and will never address the root cause of the problem. The general idea of anti-depressant drugs is meant to use and recycle the available serotonin in the brain longer, but what if certain people naturally have low serotonin production? How many conventional doctors actually dig deeper and ask the question why this is happening? Or is it solely serotonin deficiency?

There are so many variables and factors which could cause depression. For the ancient tribes or population, they believed that depression is a gift from god, a visitation of guardian angel to look at your life, what is wrong with your life. Why are you depressed? How are you living your life? Going for a pill prescribed by a doctor sounds so simple and aiming for a quick fix, and that merely mask the symptoms of what is actually going on physiologically and psychologically.

Stay tuned. 

Reference/Journal: 

http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001547

Vitamin E: What you need to know

Supplements are selling better then ever, in pharmacies, health food stores and online supplement websites too. Many of us, are consistently relying on supplements to support our health and body and spending big bucks monthly on some of the so called 'supplements'. The questions is, how much do you know about the quality, ingredients and effectiveness of these supplements? Do you know that some of these supplements may do more harm then good? 

Today, I want to discuss about Vitamin E supplement. Yes, the ones which are widely sold and available in almost all pharmacies and health stores. As few have good knowledge about nutrition and how the body works, we tend to be influenced by commercials and so called health experts, and rely on paying for supplements hoping to slow down the decline of our health, or tackle some of our health symptoms along the way. But, how many of us, really know that the almost all of the Vitamin E products sold in the market are synthetic, partial and low quality? 

Many clinical trials unfortunately use synthetic (man-made) vitamin E on participants, which do not confer healing benefits. Would you expect it to? They use a fraction of the whole molecule of vitamin E called “ALPHA” tocopherol, and for this reason their results are bad. Well of course!! What do you think happens to a human being when you cheat them out of 7 other parts of vitamin E? Think about it, seriously, take  a moment to think. How far can you possibly get building that puzzle with one piece? I would say, not very. 

What do you think happens to humans when you give them lab-created compounds that do not match what naturally occurs in nature? Vitamin E is awesome, and it’s just as awesome as vitamin A, vitamin D and other essential nutrients that your body requires for optimal health. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient so it feeds and nourishes fatty tissue, especially your heart, pancreas, liver and brain. Your brain loves E, especially if you’ve had a TBI (traumatic brain injury).

Vitamin E is like super fuel for your brain but if you take a low-quality form. Sadly, there’s a lot of junk out there. Unnecessary fillers, binders, colors, excipients, even the isomer of your E.  Same with other nutrients such as ketones (from coconut or palm oil), choline, curcumin, and healthy fats.  Now, check this out. Do you see “dl- alpha tocopherol” on your label? All synthetic forms of vitamin E are labeled with a dl- prefix. The synthetic form is generally 50% less bio-available to human body. Natural E has the d- prefix only (not dl) and is easily recognized by your cells.

Natural E, as it occurs in nature is part of a family of 8 compounds, alpha tocopherol is just one of them! So when you take conventional E supplements you are getting one-eighth of what you should be getting. Worse than taking one-eighth of pure vitamin E, when you take poor quality supplements of E, you are flooding your body with one isomer, and thus depleting the other 8 forms of E. Eventually, it will get tilted out of balance. 

Now, let's talk a bit about tocotrienols. This is the less talked about puzzle piece of natural E. Collectively speaking, the tocotrienols (all four of them)  have very strong antioxidant activity. Tocotrienols are 50 to 70 times more potent than tocopherols and penetrate deeper into fatty tissues like your brain, and liver. Tocotrienols are found in mostly in palm oil, soybean oil and rice bran oil with trace amounts in wheat, rye and barley. Please do take note on the contamination of gluten in these products.  Other sources of tocotrienols include oats, grapefruit seed oil, nuts especially walnuts and hazelnuts, high quality olive oil, flax seed oil, sunflower oil. Again, do take note on the vegetables oils which may do more harm then good to the body due to oxidized fats (trans fat) and other chemical compounds during processing. 

Meanwhile, did you know “gamma” tocotrienol protects mammary tissue? That is huge news to women who live in fear of breast cancer or those who have recovered. There is also another brand new study on asthma, comparing tocopherols with tocotrienols, where the researchers come right out and said, “Clinical trials of tocopherol supplementation to assess the impact of antioxidant activity in asthma have yielded equivocal results. Tocotrienol exhibits greater antioxidant activity than tocopherol in several biological phenomena in vivo and in vitro.”  The favorable results were just published (May 2015) in Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. I have included both studies in the links down below. 

There are many studies which showed positive results which tied to this awesome nutrient. It is crucial that our body assimilate sufficient amount of Vitamin E for bodily functions on daily basis. Diet and nutrition is crucial, and ensuring the gut health for optimum digestion and assimilation is the key prior to investing on any of these supplement products. Although today's post is about Vitamin E, but the message here is to be aware of the supplement products you buy in the market or any pharmacies. The end goal is still to focus on your diet and lifestyle factors especially stress levels. Chronic stress will depletes most of your anti-oxidants levels and neurotransmitters as well. And if you would to purchase any Vitamin E supplement, ensure it is non-synthetic and contains not only a single form. 

Complete Vitamin E:

alpha tocopherol

beta tocopherol

delta tocopherol

gamma tocopherol

alpha tocotrienol

beta tocotrienol

delta tocotrienol

gamma tocotrienol

Studies/references:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25956071

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15792944