| BEATING DEPRESSION |
Happiness 1-2-3!
Safe and Highly Effective Treatment for Depression
by Jacob Teitelbaum M.D.
By looking at American society today, one would think that there is a massive epidemic of Prozac
deficiency. Millions of Americans are complaining of being unhappy and depressed—yet most doctors
simply throw a pill at the problem! I prefer to go after the underlying causes, while using natural
therapies to support the biochemistry of happiness. When you do this, most depression can be
effectively treated—without the loss of libido, weight gain, fatigue, or increased risk of suicide seen
with prescription antidepressants.
I'm tired of being depressed and want to be happy! How should I begin?
Let's look at both the physical and psycho-spiritual components—which is a good approach for any
illness.
From a psychological perspective, depression usually represents repressed anger which has been
turned inward. This is why choosing to allow yourself to be angry or even to sometimes go into a rage
can be healthy when you’re depressed—even if the people around you don't like it. You can tell when
the anger is healthy because it will feel good. Remember though, that you are choosing to be angry,
and what you are angry about is nobody else's fault (so don't beat up others with your anger). When you
don't allow guilt to get in the way, notice how your depression decreases and you feel better after a
good fit of anger!
1) Feel all of your feelings without the need to understand or justify them. When they no longer feel good, let go of
them.
2) Make life a "no-fault" system. This means No Blame, No-Fault, No Guilt, No Judgment, and No Expectations on
yourself or anyone else. This means you'll be changing habits of thinking. For example, if you find yourself judging
somebody, simply drop the judgment in mid-thought when you notice it.
3) Learn to keep your attention on what feels good. We sometimes are given the misconception that keeping
attention on problems is more realistic. That is nonsense! Life is like a massive buffet with thousands of options.
You can choose to keep your attention on those things that feel good. You'll notice that if a problem truly requires
your attention at any given time, it will feel good to focus on it. Otherwise, you're living your life as if you have 200
TV channels to choose from, and you only choose to watch the ones you don't like!
From a physical perspective, depression often reflects faulty biochemistry. Begin by asking yourself
this simple question—"do I have many interests?" If the answer is yes, you're probably not depressed
but rather have other physical problems causing how you feel. Common causes would include poor
sleep, infections, thyroid and other hormonal deficiencies (despite normal blood tests!) and nutritional
deficiencies. This is especially important to do if you have a combination of exhaustion, poor sleep, and
in many cases widespread achiness. If this is so, you may well have chronic fatigue
syndrome/fibromyalgia for which effective treatment is now available, and not depression. If you do not
have many interests, you probably are depressed and the treatments below will be very helpful for you.
Fortunately, depression is also very treatable.
What can I do to feel better while I'm going after these underlying problems?
Happiness has its own biochemistry which can be powerfully balanced and enhanced naturally. Overall
nutritional support is essential, and I would recommend a good multivitamin powder. Also begin a
walking program. Research has shown that walking briskly each day is as effective as Prozac for
depression. Use herbal support if needed to get eight hours of sleep a night as well.
It is also critical that your body has what it requires to make the three key "happiness"
neurotransmitters that your body needs. These are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. B
vitamins and magnesium are critical for energy production, as well as for producing the
hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to your feeling good!
B12 and folate/folic acid seem to be especially important, and I believe that the term RDA may as well
stand for Ridiculous Dietary Allowances! You want at least 600-1,800 micrograms of Vitamin B12 and 400-
1,200 micrograms of folic acid a day to be sure that optimal levels are getting into the brain where they
are needed.
Approximately a third of patients with depression have been found to be deficient in folic acid, and this
by itself can cause depression as can B12 deficiency. In addition, these two nutrients together
contribute strongly to the production of both serotonin (the "happiness molecule") and a powerful
depression fighting nutrient called SAMe. In fact, studies of high-dose folic acid have shown this
nutrient by itself to be as effective as antidepressant medications—but much safer and without side
effects!
The B vitamins riboflavin and niacin are critical for energy production. In fact, these vitamins are key
components of the "energy molecules" (like "energy dollars"—wouldn't it be nice to have your own
printing press!) NADH and FADH. Depression is a common symptom of niacin and riboflavin deficiency.
Vitamin B6 levels are generally quite low in depressed patients, and this is especially problematic in
women taking birth control pills or estrogen—both of which can deplete Vitamin B6 levels. Vitamin B6 is
critical in the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Sadly, it is likely that millions of
people on Prozac are simply suffering from depression caused by Vitamin B6 deficiency.
Magnesium deficiency is the single most important nutritional deficiency in the United States. Where
the average Chinese diet contains approximately 650 mg of magnesium a day, because of food
processing the average American diet only contains around 250 mg. This contributes to pain, fatigue,
and increased risk of heart attacks, depression, and numerous other problems as magnesium is critical
in over 300 different reactions in our body. In fact, numerous studies have shown that in areas with
higher magnesium levels in the water, heart attack deaths decreased markedly.
Prescription antidepressants like Prozac®, Paxil®, and Wellbutrin® work by raising levels of the
neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Unfortunately, because these medications
work by poisoning critical pathways in your body, they are rife with side effects. A much safer and more
effective way to raise these neurotransmitter levels is to give your body the building blocks it needs to
make them. Serotonin is made from 5 Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and dopamine and norepinephrine are
made from tyrosine. Numerous double-blind (i.e. "gold standard") studies have shown 5-HTP to be as
effective as prescription antidepressantsand much better tolerated. Another placebo-controlled study
has shown tyrosine to also be as effective as antidepressants without side effects. In addition, if 5-HTP is
given without tyrosine, it often stops working after a few months. Giving tyrosine along with the 5-HTP
results in long-lasting improvement.''
NOTE: in regards to the 5-HTP talked about above. It works much better to have testing done first -
(nurotransmitters/seritonon levels) to see where your are to low and then getting the right mixture of 5-
HTP (amino acids) for your particular case...
Most of you have heard of St. John's Wort, and 25 double-blind studies with a total of over 1,500
patients have shown it to be as effective as prescription antidepressants—without the side effects. In
addition to being effective in eliminating depression, it also helped sleep, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Magnolia bark has a long history of use in traditional Chinese formulas that relieve anxiety and
depression without leaving you feeling like you've been drugged. Magnolia Extract is rich in two
phytochemicals, honokiol which exerts an anti-anxiety effect, and magnolol which acts as an
antidepressant. Like many of the other components in the Happiness 1-2-3 product, Magnolia has the
ability to alleviate depression and stress without sedating you. Dozens of animal studies have shown
that it is a non-addictive, non-sedating antidepressant—even at low doses.
The good news is that you can now effectively eliminate depression safely and without the side effects
of antidepressants—naturally!
Jacob Teitelbaum MD is an expert in Comprehensive Medicine and Medical director of the Annapolis Center for Effective
CFS/Fibromyalgia Therapies in Annapolis, Maryland (410-266-6958) and senior author of the landmark study "Effective Treatment of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia—a Placebo-controlled Study." He is also the author of the best-selling books "From
Fatigued to Fantastic!", "Three Steps to Happiness! Healing through Joy", and the recently released "Pain Free 1-2-3- A Proven
Program to Get YOU Pain Free!" For more information, his web site is: www.Vitality101.com
Safe and Highly Effective Treatment for Depression
by Jacob Teitelbaum M.D.
By looking at American society today, one would think that there is a massive epidemic of Prozac
deficiency. Millions of Americans are complaining of being unhappy and depressed—yet most doctors
simply throw a pill at the problem! I prefer to go after the underlying causes, while using natural
therapies to support the biochemistry of happiness. When you do this, most depression can be
effectively treated—without the loss of libido, weight gain, fatigue, or increased risk of suicide seen
with prescription antidepressants.
I'm tired of being depressed and want to be happy! How should I begin?
Let's look at both the physical and psycho-spiritual components—which is a good approach for any
illness.
From a psychological perspective, depression usually represents repressed anger which has been
turned inward. This is why choosing to allow yourself to be angry or even to sometimes go into a rage
can be healthy when you’re depressed—even if the people around you don't like it. You can tell when
the anger is healthy because it will feel good. Remember though, that you are choosing to be angry,
and what you are angry about is nobody else's fault (so don't beat up others with your anger). When you
don't allow guilt to get in the way, notice how your depression decreases and you feel better after a
good fit of anger!
1) Feel all of your feelings without the need to understand or justify them. When they no longer feel good, let go of
them.
2) Make life a "no-fault" system. This means No Blame, No-Fault, No Guilt, No Judgment, and No Expectations on
yourself or anyone else. This means you'll be changing habits of thinking. For example, if you find yourself judging
somebody, simply drop the judgment in mid-thought when you notice it.
3) Learn to keep your attention on what feels good. We sometimes are given the misconception that keeping
attention on problems is more realistic. That is nonsense! Life is like a massive buffet with thousands of options.
You can choose to keep your attention on those things that feel good. You'll notice that if a problem truly requires
your attention at any given time, it will feel good to focus on it. Otherwise, you're living your life as if you have 200
TV channels to choose from, and you only choose to watch the ones you don't like!
From a physical perspective, depression often reflects faulty biochemistry. Begin by asking yourself
this simple question—"do I have many interests?" If the answer is yes, you're probably not depressed
but rather have other physical problems causing how you feel. Common causes would include poor
sleep, infections, thyroid and other hormonal deficiencies (despite normal blood tests!) and nutritional
deficiencies. This is especially important to do if you have a combination of exhaustion, poor sleep, and
in many cases widespread achiness. If this is so, you may well have chronic fatigue
syndrome/fibromyalgia for which effective treatment is now available, and not depression. If you do not
have many interests, you probably are depressed and the treatments below will be very helpful for you.
Fortunately, depression is also very treatable.
What can I do to feel better while I'm going after these underlying problems?
Happiness has its own biochemistry which can be powerfully balanced and enhanced naturally. Overall
nutritional support is essential, and I would recommend a good multivitamin powder. Also begin a
walking program. Research has shown that walking briskly each day is as effective as Prozac for
depression. Use herbal support if needed to get eight hours of sleep a night as well.
It is also critical that your body has what it requires to make the three key "happiness"
neurotransmitters that your body needs. These are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. B
vitamins and magnesium are critical for energy production, as well as for producing the
hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to your feeling good!
B12 and folate/folic acid seem to be especially important, and I believe that the term RDA may as well
stand for Ridiculous Dietary Allowances! You want at least 600-1,800 micrograms of Vitamin B12 and 400-
1,200 micrograms of folic acid a day to be sure that optimal levels are getting into the brain where they
are needed.
Approximately a third of patients with depression have been found to be deficient in folic acid, and this
by itself can cause depression as can B12 deficiency. In addition, these two nutrients together
contribute strongly to the production of both serotonin (the "happiness molecule") and a powerful
depression fighting nutrient called SAMe. In fact, studies of high-dose folic acid have shown this
nutrient by itself to be as effective as antidepressant medications—but much safer and without side
effects!
The B vitamins riboflavin and niacin are critical for energy production. In fact, these vitamins are key
components of the "energy molecules" (like "energy dollars"—wouldn't it be nice to have your own
printing press!) NADH and FADH. Depression is a common symptom of niacin and riboflavin deficiency.
Vitamin B6 levels are generally quite low in depressed patients, and this is especially problematic in
women taking birth control pills or estrogen—both of which can deplete Vitamin B6 levels. Vitamin B6 is
critical in the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Sadly, it is likely that millions of
people on Prozac are simply suffering from depression caused by Vitamin B6 deficiency.
Magnesium deficiency is the single most important nutritional deficiency in the United States. Where
the average Chinese diet contains approximately 650 mg of magnesium a day, because of food
processing the average American diet only contains around 250 mg. This contributes to pain, fatigue,
and increased risk of heart attacks, depression, and numerous other problems as magnesium is critical
in over 300 different reactions in our body. In fact, numerous studies have shown that in areas with
higher magnesium levels in the water, heart attack deaths decreased markedly.
Prescription antidepressants like Prozac®, Paxil®, and Wellbutrin® work by raising levels of the
neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Unfortunately, because these medications
work by poisoning critical pathways in your body, they are rife with side effects. A much safer and more
effective way to raise these neurotransmitter levels is to give your body the building blocks it needs to
make them. Serotonin is made from 5 Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and dopamine and norepinephrine are
made from tyrosine. Numerous double-blind (i.e. "gold standard") studies have shown 5-HTP to be as
effective as prescription antidepressantsand much better tolerated. Another placebo-controlled study
has shown tyrosine to also be as effective as antidepressants without side effects. In addition, if 5-HTP is
given without tyrosine, it often stops working after a few months. Giving tyrosine along with the 5-HTP
results in long-lasting improvement.''
NOTE: in regards to the 5-HTP talked about above. It works much better to have testing done first -
(nurotransmitters/seritonon levels) to see where your are to low and then getting the right mixture of 5-
HTP (amino acids) for your particular case...
Most of you have heard of St. John's Wort, and 25 double-blind studies with a total of over 1,500
patients have shown it to be as effective as prescription antidepressants—without the side effects. In
addition to being effective in eliminating depression, it also helped sleep, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Magnolia bark has a long history of use in traditional Chinese formulas that relieve anxiety and
depression without leaving you feeling like you've been drugged. Magnolia Extract is rich in two
phytochemicals, honokiol which exerts an anti-anxiety effect, and magnolol which acts as an
antidepressant. Like many of the other components in the Happiness 1-2-3 product, Magnolia has the
ability to alleviate depression and stress without sedating you. Dozens of animal studies have shown
that it is a non-addictive, non-sedating antidepressant—even at low doses.
The good news is that you can now effectively eliminate depression safely and without the side effects
of antidepressants—naturally!
Jacob Teitelbaum MD is an expert in Comprehensive Medicine and Medical director of the Annapolis Center for Effective
CFS/Fibromyalgia Therapies in Annapolis, Maryland (410-266-6958) and senior author of the landmark study "Effective Treatment of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia—a Placebo-controlled Study." He is also the author of the best-selling books "From
Fatigued to Fantastic!", "Three Steps to Happiness! Healing through Joy", and the recently released "Pain Free 1-2-3- A Proven
Program to Get YOU Pain Free!" For more information, his web site is: www.Vitality101.com
