This Morning: Liz Earle discusses supplements for hair loss
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Sombre and low moods may be felt by many Britons with the change of season and a still tumultuous time of uncertainty. Feelings of anxiety or depression does not always have to entail a visit to your GP for a antidepressant prescription. There are a variety of powerful supplements which have the potential to improve low moods.
St. John’s wort is best known in its treatment for mild-to-moderate depression
The supplement is thought to work by keeping the brain from using up neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine.
The result includes the neurotransmitters becoming more effective in the brain.
This can have an antidepressant and overall feel-good effect in the brain.
As a result, a person could experience fewer bouts of anxiety.
Anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines (including Xanax and Ativan), work on GABA transmitters in the brain.
Therefore, many researchers believe that St. John’s wort could have anxiety-relieving effects due to its effects on GABA transmitters.
2017 meta-analysis of 27 clinical trials published in the Journal of Affective Disorders concluded that St. John’s wort had a similar level of effectiveness as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating mild-to-moderate depression.
The researchers noted the studies were all short-term, ranging from four to 12 weeks in length.
Therefore, less is known about how effective St. John’s wort is long-term, compared to antidepressant medications.
Some people prefer to take St. John’s wort over antidepressants because it typically causes fewer side effects.
In another study published in BMJ, St John’s wort for treatment of depression but with fewer side effects was further investigated.
The study noted: “St John’s wort (hypericum) was used in two reviewers assessed studies.
“Inclusion criteria: randomised, controlled, double blind trials of hypericum [St John’s wort] extracts versus placebo or versus standard antidepressants in people with major depression.”
The study concluded that Hypericum (St John’s wort) extracts are more effective than placebo in people with major depression and are similarly effective to standard antidepressants but with fewer side effects.
If interested in taking St John’s wort to help with depression and anxiety symptoms, speak with your GP or healthcare professional first.
According to the EU’s Committee on herbal Medicinal Products, the dosage you take of St John’s wort depends on the type of preparation, so it’s imperative to read the label carefully.
Other supplements which could also help with low mood and anxiety symptoms include CBD oil, magnesium and vitamin B.
Source: Read Full Article