Pathological Considerations:
A depressive syndrome which can affect any system of the body. It is characterized by fatigue, boredom, increasing irritability, inability to concentrate, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. There is often abdominal bloating and eructation, with symptoms of hyperventilation expressed as light-headedness, syncope, paresthesias of the extremities, tachycardia unhappy, self-depreciative, pessimistic and possibly suicidal.

Physiological Considerations:
Anxiety is a stress condition. Physiologically, the body reacts to every variety of stress in the same way. The pituitary gland reacts first, producing ACTH and somatotropin which immediately stimulates the adrenals to produce cortisone. This activates the body's alarm mechanism and mobilizes the forces of resistance to meet the emergency. Protein is mobilized and broken down to form sugar, the blood sugar soars, fat is mobilized from storage depots, blood pressure increases, minerals are drawn from the bones,and an abnormal amount of salt is retained. This pattern of reaction varies in intensity according to the degree of stress.

Types of Depression:
All forms of depression have a chemical imbalance. Many forms are learned behavioral traits from childhood or situational during different stages of life. There even is the hormonal type of depression which is quite easy to solve. Genetic depression is still unproven and many countries do not believe in this. If depression runs in your family, please do not believe it is genetic. Some cases are very simple to solve and other take time. Never hesitate to request help in selecting the proper program for your specific needs.

Depression, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), is diagnosed according to eight primary criteria:

• Poor appetite with weight loss or increased appetite with weight gain
• Physical hyperactivity or inactivity.
• Loss of interest or please in usual activities or decrease in sexual drive.
• Loss of energy and feelings of fatigue.
• Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or inappropriate guilt.
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate.
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

The presence of five of these eight symptoms definitely indicates depression; the individual with four is probably depressed. Note: Symptoms of disease, and often the disease itself are nothing more than the body's reaction to stress. Thus the reaction to stress, occurring during any inflammatory condition, becomes the disease, and is given the name of the organ involved with the added ending of "itis". Among others, such conditions are arthritis, bursitis, colitis nephritis, and all the allergies, may be listed as stress diseases.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of protein, amino acids can affect various central nervous system-controlled mechanisms such as pain threshold, mood, and sleep patterns. Low tyrosine or phenylalanine, for example, can result in abnormal levels of mood regulating chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and catecholamines. Low tyrosine can also create subnormal levels of thyroid hormone--a well-known cause of depression. This may be why pre-treatment with supplemental tyrosine appears to prevent the behavioral depression observed following an acute stress.1

Because catecholamines rely on S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) for proper function, low levels of SAMe have been observed in some cases of depression.² For this reason, it is recommended that the status of the amino acid methionine, the precursor of SAMe, and its various metabolic pathways, be studied in patients with depression.3

Another amino acid, 5-Hydroyy-L-tryptophan, is the body's source material for producing the powerful hormone serotonin, which also influences sleep patterns and mood. Depletion of 5-Hydroyy-L-tryptophan can spur an increase in depressed mood states, particularly in individuals sensitive to affective disorders.^4-6 In fact, one study found that a lower tryptophan level corresponded with a higher depression score even for patients who were already under treatment with anti-depressant drugs.

Amino Acids Analysis:

Great Smokies' Amino Acids Analysis (plasma or urine) is a quick and convenient means of getting to the root of many chronic disorders. With the precise results provided by Amino Acids Analysis, nutritional deficits, metabolic impairments, and amino acid transport disorders can be accurately identified and corrected.

The Amino Acids Analysis employs state-of-the-art high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to perform the most comprehensive and sensitive assay available for urine or plasma analytes. More than 40+ analytes can now be measured, providing information on a wide spectrum of metabolic and nutritional disorders, including: protein inadequacy, gastrointestinal insufficiencies, inflammatory responses, vitamin and mineral dysfunctions, detoxification impairments, cardiovascular disease, ammonia toxicity, food and chemical sensitivities, depression, neurological dysfunction, and inborn errors of metabolism.

• Amino Acids Analysis is an important part of any thorough nutritional and metabolic workup done for an individual. The test is also indicated in cases of chronic conditions that have proven to be diagnostic dilemmas and/or have failed to respond to treatment.

• Always take B vitamins with amino acids. B2, B6, B12 and Folic acid are necessary for the treatment of depression. We suggest GlycoPlex w/Chromium (PL) 1 capsule 2 times a day with food.

  Different Amino acids can be taken together.
  

5-Hydroy-L-Tryptophan (Progressive Labs) 1 capsule 2 times a day. (empty stomach) or Trypto-Plus (Montiff)

• Low serotonin depression, menopausal depression
• Carbohydrate, sugar cravings, obesity, anorexia
• High blood lipids
• Insomnia
• Pain relief
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders, dementia, aggression, anxiety, panic attacks
• Manic phase of manic depression
• Jet lag

L-Phenylalanine (Montiff) Pure D-Phenyl Relief 1 or 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Manic depression (Always requires Lithium Orotate or Lithianse
• Low noradrenaline depression
• Obesity
• Psychoses, schizophrenia
• Pain relief
• Eye disorders
• Addictions
• Memory, alertness
• Libido
• Jetlag

Pure L-Tyrosine (Montiff) 1 or 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Antioxidant
• Low noradrenaline depression
• High or low blood pressure
• Thyroid insufficiency
• Parkinson disease
• Hay fever
• Stress related disorders, drug addiction, and obesity
• PMS
• Narcolepsy
• Low sex drive

Pure N Acetyl Cysteine (Montiff) 1 or 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Depression
• Allergies
• Detoxification of heavy metal poisoning, drugs, chemical toxicity. Alcohol
• Liver protection
• Anti-aging
• Anticancer
• Wound healing

Taurine (Montiff) Pure Taurine (2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Gallstones, liver disorders
• Convulsions, epilepsy
• Cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, hypertension
• Migraine
• Male infertility
• Depression

Glutamine (Montiff) Pure L-Glutamine 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Alcoholism
• Mental disorders - autism, behavioral problems, mental retardation in children, schizophrenia, senility, depression
• Parkinson's disease
• Gastric and duodenal ulcers
• Sugar cravings, impotence, fatigue, brain fog

Glycine (Montiff) Pure Glycine 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Brain sedative
• Low stomach acid
• High blood lipids, uric acid
• Poor wound healing, circulation
• Low metabolic rate
• Glucose intolerance
• Muscle spasticity - cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis
• Mania

Pure L Threonine (Montiff) 1 or 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Mental illness, depression
• Fatty Liver
• Digestive, intestinal disorders
• Cerebral palsy

Valine (Montiff) Pure L Valine 1 or 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

• Muscle disorders
• Insomnia, nervous tension, mental-emotional disorders
• Low blood sugar

GABA (Montiff) Pure GABA 2 capsules 2 times a day on an empty stomach. Used commonly for over active repetitive mind.

• Breast milk production
• Enlarged Prostate gland - frequency of urination
• Epilepsy
• High blood pressure
• Hyper-excitability, mania, agitation
• Low sex drive

The top rated are SAM-e by (Baywood), SAM-e Forte by Progressive labs, Me-Cofactors by Dews and Cellfood Same-E - 2 tablets 2 or 3 times a day on an empty stomach. Cellfood Same-E, follow directions on the label.

SAMe was discovered in Italy in 1952. It was first investigated as a treatment for depression, but along the way it was accidentally noted to improve arthritis symptoms—a kind of positive ""side effect."" SAMe is presently classed with glucosamine and chondroitin as a potential ""chondroprotective"" agent, one that can go beyond treating symptoms to actually slowing the progression of arthritis. However, this exciting possibility has not yet been proven.

There is no one formula that works for all. The items with the *asterisk have been used in combination for best results.

Formulas used for depression

• EloPlex* (Progressive labs) 2 capsules upon rising and 2 capsules ½ hour before lunch.
• Well Mind (Allergy Research Group) 1 or 2 capsules up to 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
• 200 mg. of ZEN* (Allergy Research Group) 1 capsule twice daily empty stomach. Maximum of 4 capsules daily.
• TryptoZen* (SYN) 1 capsule twice daily between meals.
• Lithium Orotate (Atrium) or Lithinase (Progressive Labs) 2 tablets twice daily. Maximum of 6 daily.

Nutripuncture recommendations

Nutri Yin / Nutri Yang used in all treatments.

• from overworked: #10, #18
• after a move: (female) #28, #27
• after a move: (male) #21, #27
• Depression and spaced out: #27, #26
• with anxiety: #22, #31
• with apathy, dejection: #08, #11
• with disorientation: #34, #33
• with intellectual asthenia: #08, #12
• with melancholia: #20, #05
• with post partum: (female only) #28, #24

REFERENCES
1 Reinstein DK, Lehnert H, Wurtman RJ. Dietary tyrosine suppresses the rise in plasma corticosterone following acute stress in rats. Life Sci 1985;37(23):2157-2163.

2 Bell KM, Potkin SG, Carreon D, Plon L. S-adenosylmethionine blood levels in major depression: changes with drug treatment. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl 1994;154:15-18.

3 Young SN. The use of diet and dietary components in the study of factors controlling affect in humans: a review. J Psychiatry Neurosci 1993;18(5):235-44.

4 Benkelfat C, Ellenbogen MA, Dean P, Palmour Rm, Young SN. Mood-lowering effect of tryptophan depletion. Enhanced susceptibility in young men at genetic risk for major affective disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1994;51(9):687-697.

5 Young SN, Smith SE, Pihl RO, Ervin FR. Tryptophan depletion causes a rapid lowering of mood in normal males. Psychopharmacology 1985;87(2):173-177.

6 Smith KA, Fairburn CG, Cowen PJ. Relapse of depression after rapid depletion of tryptophan. Lancet 1997;349(9056):915-19.

7 Delgado PL, Charney DS, Price LH, Aghajanian GK, Landis H, Heninger GR. Serotonin function and the mechanism of antidepressant action. Reversal of antidepressant-induced remission by rapid depletion of plasma tryptophan. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1990;47(5):411-18