Supplements for Depression: Are They Effective?

Depression and stress have a complex relationship with each other. They interfere with your daily life in ways that are only describable to others who have dealt with them. There are several layers of depression that experts address in today’s world. Situational depression is one of the most common forms of depression. It’s caused by major life events. For example, a mother becomes depressed over the loss of her child. Therapy and time are the only ways to treat this type of depression but situational depression is only temporary. This article will discuss chronic depression and whether supplements for depression are actually effective.

Chronic depression is brought on by prolonged stress combined with an unhealthy lifestyle. It has been directly linked to mental stress. This tells us that a reduction in stress will help alleviate the symptoms related to chronic depression. Long-term stress will diminish the brain’s ability to produce new brain cells. This is why therapy for depression usually focuses on making lifestyle changes that lessen the amount of stress in patients. But there is another way to combat depression.

Supplements for Depression

Using supplements for depression is an effective combatant for this debilitating condition. Supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids are the best. That’s because omega-3s help the brain produce important brain cells, offsetting some of the damage done by stress. Supplements are not a magical solution. Individuals should still find ways to reduce stress in their daily lives. But we can’t ignore the fact that studies show individuals who have higher levels of omega-3s experience a significant reduction in depression.

Never ignore the medical diagnosis. Always follow your doctor’s advice. Use supplements in combination with conventional treatments. Think of them like a jump-start to improving your mental health. Their effects only last as long as you are following proper habits that reduce stress. Still, omega-3 fatty acids repair the damage by boosting your brain's productivity.

Examples of Supplements that Treat Depression

These supplements for depression will help treat your condition.

• Fish Oils contain omega-3 fatty acids and are the best supplement to take when suffering from depression. It’s also considered the safest option on this list.
• Multi-Vitamins are also a great choice. Make sure you choose those that contain omega-3 fatty acids.
• SAMe is a supplement that introduces the body to a synthetic form of a specific chemical that is naturally occurring in the body.
• DHEA contains a hormone that has been directly linked to depression.
• Saffron is the final supplement on our list. It has the potential to help ease symptoms associated with depression. But it also has some considerable side effects attached to it.

Supplements are not approved by the FDA so you need to pay close attention to labels and to do your research. The bottom line is that the best supplements for depression are those that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Don’t expect them to work like magic. Follow other tips to help reduce the overall stress in your life.