by S. C.

It is estimated that about 10 to 15 percent of children and teens are depressed at any given time. Research indicates that one of four adolescents will have an episode of major depression during high school. According to a report of the surgeon general, suicide is the leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24 in America. And, preschoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressant medications.1 while pundits theorize about possible causes of this alarming trend, one root factor has been overlooked. According to a recent study published in the March 2012 issue of Public Health Nutrition consumption of fast foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, and pizza as well as processed pastries including muffins, croissants, and doughnuts is linked to an increase in depression symptoms.2 The results reveal that consumers of fast food, compared to those who eat little or none, are 51% more likely to develop depression. furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed, which means when more fast food is consumed, the risk of developing depression symptoms increases. Standard Antidepressant Treatments are Inadequate The use of Paroxetine (Paxil) and other standard SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressant medications (Prozac, Zoloft) continues to grow by about 10% annually among children and adolescents.3 However, antidepressants have been revealed to have serious risks ? especially for children- and are linked to violence, psychosis, abnormal bleeding and brain tumors.4 but the most alarming finding is the association of antidepressant drug usage in youth with increased risk of suicides.5 even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published reports saying “these drugs are associated with a risk of suicidal behavior in children”.6 An Alternative Approach for Depression Symptoms clearly alternative solutions must be sought out and used by parents whose children or teenagers suffer from depression symptoms. Can diet changes alone make enough of a difference? Most integrative physicians work with parents to add both diet changes and some specific mood boosting nutrients. Natural Health Advisory Institute, a leader in validated natural health education for the public has detailed five key actions parents can take to help their children overcome their depression symptoms without the use of pharmaceutical drugs. These practical and effective steps can be found in the free report, Natural Remedies for Depression. The report describes how to increase serotonin ? the ?happy? neurotransmitter ? levels naturally, how to increase dopamine ? the focus and motivation neurotransmitter ? levels naturally and more. To receive the free digital report, Natural Remedies for Depression, visit link esterno Natural Health Advisory Institute continually strives to provide the proactive health consumer with actionable information on natural health remedies which have received clinical research validation or have been recommended by leading integrative medicine physicians.

[1] Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. [2] Almudena S?nchez-Villegas, Estefan?a Toledo, Jokin de Irala, Miguel Ruiz-Canela, Jorge Pla-Vidal and Miguel A Mart?nez-Gonz?lez. “Fast-food and commercial baked goods consumption and the risk of depression.” Public Health Nutrition: page 1 of 9 doi:10.1017/S1368980011001856. [3] Psychiatric Services, April 2004. [4] W. Meijer, et al. ?Association of Risk of Abnormal Bleeding with Degree of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibition by Antidepressants.? Archives of Internal Medicine 2004, 164:2367-2370. [5] Olfson M, Marcus SC, Shaffer D (2006). ?Antidepressant drug therapy and suicide in severely depressed children and adults.? Arch Gen Psychiatry 63:865-872. [6] S. Vedantam. ?FDA Links Antidepressants, Youth Suicide Risk.? Washington Post, 23 February, 2004, page A01.

by S. C. 09 may 2012 Teatro Naturale International n. 5 Year 4 © REPRODUCTION RESERVED