Thursday, August 30, 2007

St John's Wort Effective for Mild Depression

Results of a double-blind, placebo controlled randomized trial conducted in Germany, published in the March, 2006 issue of Pharmopsychiatry, showed that 900 mg of St John's extract, taken once daily, was as effective as 20 mg of Celexa, an anti-depressant, for alleviating symptoms of mild depression.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Anti-Depressant Medications Can Deplete Essential Nutrients

Taking anti-depressant medications can deplete levels of Vitamin B12 and Coenzyme Q10. Other prescription drugs, such as cholesterol lowering agents (Statins) and anti-diabetic drugs, also deplete these nutrients.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Biofeedback Home Trainers Can Lower Blood Pressure and Reduce Stress Response

A number of portable home devices, designed to guide the user through paced breathing, have been helping patients lower their blood pressure. By practicing slow, abdominal breathing at least 15 minutes for as little as 3 times per week, significant improvements have been seen in controlled studies. The goal is to slow down to approximately 6 breathes per minute.

In my office, I teach patients to breathe at 5.5-6 breathes per minute while they are watching a computer screen which shows the rate and volume of each breath. After 1-2 sessions, they are instructed in use of a home trainer. These portable devices can be used at home, in the office, or while traveling.

There are several home trainers on the market: RESPeRATE, StressEraser, and Healing Rhythms.