[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Section”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https:\/\/womensvoice.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/12\/wv-beating-the-blue-header-rv02.jpg” alt=”The Highs and Lows of Depression” animation=”off” admin_label=”Feature Image”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ padding_mobile=”off” admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – BEATING…” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”54px” text_text_color=”#00b4c0″ custom_margin=”||-30px|”]<\/p>\n
BEATING<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – BEATING…” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”50px” text_text_color=”#00799a” custom_margin=”||-10px|” custom_padding=”|||”]<\/p>\n
THE BLUES:<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – BEATING…” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”38px” text_text_color=”#00b4c0″ text_line_height=”1em”]<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t Suffer,
\nSupplement!<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_phone=”||0px|” make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” background_color_1=”#007a9b” padding_top_1=”30px ” padding_right_1=”30px” padding_bottom_1=” 30px ” padding_left_1=” 30px” admin_label=”Row” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ background_color=”#007a9b” padding_bottom=” 30px ” padding_left=” 30px” padding_right=”30px” padding_top=”30px ” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Signs of Depression” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”30px” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n
Signs of
\nDepression<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”List – Persistent sad…” text_font_size=”16px” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_line_height=”1.6em” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”|||”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Source WebMD” text_font_size=”12px” text_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”]<\/p>\n
Source WebMD<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Modern life has its ups and…” custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_phone=”||0px|” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n
Modern life has its ups and downs and will always be filled with joy and sadness. It\u2019s natural to experience these highs and lows, but if you\u2019re consistently feeling sad or have lost interest in the things you love this may be an indication that there is an underlying imbalance that needs to be addressed. Depression involves the body, mood, and thoughts, and it affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you view life.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_phone=”0px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Depression affects women more…”]<\/p>\n Depression affects women more than it does men. Indeed, women in North America are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. In the United States alone, approximately 12 million women experience clinical depression each year. It occurs most frequently between the ages of 25 and 44.<\/p>\n We call it \u201cthe blues\u201d sometimes, but depression is actually a set of symptoms that go well beyond low mood. It expresses itself in fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and weight gain. Perhaps worst of all, it diminishes the everyday joy of living. It\u2019s normal to go through short periods of mild depression, especially if their root causes are the losses and frustrations of life. But when the down periods last for weeks or months at a time, when they seem increasingly unrelated to things that happen to you, and when you find yourself reluctant to participate in activities you used to enjoy\u2026 well, then there is probably an underlying internal imbalance of some sort that needs your attention.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” padding_mobile=”off” specialty=”on” padding_right_1=” ” padding_bottom_1=” ” padding_left_1=” ” admin_label=”Section”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ padding_bottom=” ” padding_left=” ” padding_right=” “][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Some of the factors that…” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”20px” text_text_color=”#00799a” text_line_height=”1.5em”]<\/p>\n Some of the factors that [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text -Hormonal imbalances…”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”off” admin_label=”Row” custom_css_main_element=”border-left:#409bb4 5px solid;||border-right:#409bb4 5px solid;t”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Depression in women is…” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”35px” text_text_color=”#409bb4″ text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”|||20px”]<\/p>\n Depression in women is [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”off” admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Now, you may note…”]<\/p>\n Now, you may note that hormones are right at the top of the list when it comes to causing depression. Combining this with the fact that women are disproportionately diagnosed with clinical depression, you may be inclined to assume that being an aging female is an automatic risk factor for \u201cgetting the blues.\u201d You wouldn\u2019t be alone in that assumption, as more than one-half of women surveyed believe that depression is \u201ca normal part of aging.\u201d*<\/p>\n But you would be wrong! Depression is not now, and need not ever be, a normal part of aging. You might also think that it\u2019s normal for women to feel depressed during menopause, and that treatment is not necessary.* You\u2019d have the company of about half of the female population in that belief, according to studies, but again, you\u2019d be wrong.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Let\u2019s look at what…”]<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at what the research really tells us. We can start by noticing what I stated above \u2013 that depression in women is most common between the ages of 25 and 44. That\u2019s not the menopausal age group. It\u2019s more common for a woman to be perimenopausal in her forties, beginning the transition. The Massachusetts Women\u2019s Health Study observed that the rate of depression begins to decrease as women move from peri- to postmenopause. Indeed, the rate of depression is lowest for women who have been postmenopausal for at least 27 months. These results show that depression is moderately associated with perimenopause, the long run-up to a cessation of menstrual periods. Still, it\u2019s good news to note that any depression experienced is likely to be brief and decline through \u201cthe change\u201d and beyond.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_mobile=”off” admin_label=”Section”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Depression is no…” text_font=”||on||” text_font_size=”40px” text_text_color=”#40c7d0″ text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_padding=”||20px|”]<\/p>\n Depression is not now, and need not ever be, a normal part of aging.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Obviously, then, the time to fight…”]<\/p>\n Obviously, then, the time to fight the blues is well before menopause. But why is this so? It\u2019s because the significant fluctuation in a woman\u2019s hormone levels during perimenopause wreaks all sorts of havoc when combined with the normal stress response in our bodies. Our adrenal glands, already charged with protecting us from everyday traffic, spilled coffee and irritable bosses, easily becomes overburdened just when we need them most. We rely on our adrenal glands, you\u2019ll recall, to become our main hormone producers when the ovaries shut down for good. Ideally, we reach that point called menopause with adrenals that are healthy and ready to take over! If not, there can be trouble.<\/p>\n The symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue during perimenopause are what we commonly call PMS, premenstrual syndrome. It\u2019s a catch-all term that encompasses some 150 different symptoms, but it is most associated with anxiety, tension, irritability\/anger, headaches and, yes, depression.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – As many as” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”35px” text_text_color=”#409bb4″]<\/p>\n As many as<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_number_counter number=”90″ counter_color=”#00b4c0″ admin_label=”Number Counter”] [\/et_pb_number_counter][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – of women will have to deal ” text_font_size=”35px” text_text_color=”#409bb4″ text_line_height=”1.5em”]<\/p>\n of women will have to deal with PMS<\/strong> at some time during their reproductive years,<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – while approximately” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”35px” text_text_color=”#409bb4″]<\/p>\n while approximately<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_number_counter number=”35″ counter_color=”#00b4c0″ admin_label=”Number Counter”] [\/et_pb_number_counter][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – of women will have…” text_font_size=”35px” text_text_color=”#409bb4″ text_line_height=”1.5em”]<\/p>\n of women will have symptoms that are distressing enough to interfere<\/strong> with their everyday lives.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” background_color_1=”#ccf0f3″ padding_top_1=”20px ” padding_right_1=” 20px ” padding_bottom_1=”20px” padding_left_1=” 20px” admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ background_color=”#ccf0f3″ padding_bottom=”20px” padding_left=” 20px” padding_right=” 20px ” padding_top=”20px ” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Leaky Gut?” text_font=”Dancing Script|on|||” text_font_size=”53px” text_text_color=”#00799a” text_line_height=”1em”]<\/p>\n Leaky [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Emerging information suggests…”]<\/p>\n Emerging information suggests that \u201cleaky gut syndrome\u201d is a strong contributor to diseases such as diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, and mood disorders like depression. Over a long period of time, gut-induced inflammatory responses in the stomach wall significantly compromise both the structure and the repair mechanisms of the digestive tract. When these structures break down, the intestinal wall becomes more permeable to toxins or microbes that would otherwise not cross into the bloodstream. To further suggest the connection, evidence shows that bowel disorders are often correlated with poor mood. In fact, almost one-third of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been found to have anxiety or depression. While a healthy microbiome appears to promote a positive mood, an unhealthy one brings on the doldrums.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – It is highly probable…”]<\/p>\n It is highly probable that the difference between those who suffer and those who don\u2019t is a balancing act involving stress and how it interacts with hormones, nutrients, liver health, and happiness-inducing neurotransmitters such as serotonin. This is the recipe that influences whether or not women can adapt to \u201cthe change of life\u201d with\u00adout jeopardizing their emotional health.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/womensvoice.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/12\/wv-depression-exercise-wgray.jpg” animation=”right” align=”center” admin_label=”Image”] [\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Let\u2019s talk about the factors that affect this …” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#409bb4″]<\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk about the factors that affect this all-important balance, the ones you can control!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Diet and lifestyle considerations for fighting depression” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#409bb4″]<\/p>\n Diet and lifestyle considerations for fighting depression<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”List – Alcohol. As you probably know”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ background_image=”https:\/\/womensvoice.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/01\/wv-depression-tablets-bk05.png” background_color=”#ccf0f3″ parallax=”on” padding_mobile=”off” admin_label=”Section” custom_css_main_element=”background-size: contain;”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Some Key Supplements” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”31px” text_text_color=”#00799a” custom_margin=”||-10px|” custom_padding=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n Some Key Supplements<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sub Title – to stave off or diminish depression” text_font_size=”31px” text_text_color=”#4d4d4d” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”]<\/p>\n to stave off or diminish depression<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Vitamin B6″ text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#00799a” custom_margin=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n Vitamin B6<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – B6 levels are typically…”]<\/p>\n B6 levels are typically low in depression, especially in women taking birth control or on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms. Vitamin B6 is absolutely essential in the manufacture of dopamine and serotonin, and it is likely that many individuals with depression may be, at least in part, suffering from a deficiency of this key vitamin.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – AdrenaSense\u00ae” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#00799a” custom_margin=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n AdrenaSense\u00ae<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – As we have seen, supporting and…”]<\/p>\n As we have seen, supporting and treating the adrenal glands can be an important strategy for preventing or treating mood disorders. Herbs such as rhodiola, Siberian ginseng, and ashwagandha are powerful adaptogens that help balance damaging stress hormones such as cortisol.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Vitamin D” header_text_color=”#00799a” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#00799a” custom_margin=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n Vitamin D<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – New research shows…”]<\/p>\n New research shows that low serum levels of vitamin D are associated with clinically significant symptoms of depression in otherwise healthy individuals (Psychiatry Research, 2015).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – EstroSense\u00ae” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#00799a” custom_margin=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n EstroSense\u00ae<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text -The liver plays a key…”]<\/p>\n The liver plays a key role in the body\u2019s detoxification process, so supporting the liver is the foundation for treating many hormonal imbalances. If the liver function is compromised, then estrogen metabolism is compromised, leading to excess estrogen levels and what is often described as estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance may contribute to PMS as well as perimenopausal symptoms, also increasing the likelihood of mood disturbances and depression.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#00799a” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n 5-Hydroxytryptophan [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – 5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin…”]<\/p>\n 5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin. Numerous studies have shown that 5-HTP is as effective as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, it is better tolerated, and it is associated with fewer and much milder side effects (Psychopathology, 1991). [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title – Probiotics” text_font=”|on|||” text_font_size=”18px” text_text_color=”#00799a” custom_margin=”||0px|”]<\/p>\n Probiotics<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Remember that a healthy…”]<\/p>\n Remember that a healthy microbiome promotes a healthy mood, just as it supports many of the body\u2019s key functions and activities. Support the gut with Natural Factors Ultimate Probiotic. This exceptional probiotic provides proprietary strains with 12 billion active cells that work synergistically, guaranteeing maximum activity and efficacy.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ padding_mobile=”off” admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]<\/p>\n What I\u2019ve offered you here is a map you can use to find your way up and out of from your blues. Don\u2019t assume your symptoms can\u2019t be alleviated, because they can! The strategy for putting an end to that no-fun thrill ride you\u2019ve been on is to address any nutritional insufficiencies and hormonal malfunctions that are quite literally keeping you stuck in a blue mood. Depression \u2013 even when it\u2019s mild \u2013 affects every waking moment of your life, and many of those when you should be sleeping! Don\u2019t accept it. Take the steps above, the ones that I know will bring you back to loving your life again!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n *National Mental Health Association<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BEATING THE BLUES: Don\u2019t Suffer, Supplement! Signs of Depression Persistent sad, anxious, or \u201cempty\u201d mood Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex Restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, and pessimism Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning waking Source WebMD Modern life has its ups and downs and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":27217,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,1],"tags":[3732,3790,3733,3787,3689],"class_list":["post-26894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expert-advice","category-health","tag-brain-health","tag-heart-health","tag-hormone-health","tag-sleep","tag-stress","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n
contribute to depression include:<\/p>\n\n
\nmost common between the
\nages of 25 and 44<\/span><\/p>\n
\nGut?<\/p>\n\n
\n(5-HTP)<\/p>\n
\nProbiotics<\/p>\n