Hormones behind depression

All of us go through depression in some form or other, It can be emotional,financial or specific to one's own health. Depression is not a weakness. In fact, it is a very common emotional experience with a variety of triggers.I decided to do my little research on the scientific aspect of the cause and hormonal reaction behind  depression and mood swings.

Studies have shown that people suffering from depression have imbalances of neurotransmitters, natural substances that allow brain cells to communicate with one another. . Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate numerous physical and emotional processes such as mental performance, emotional states and pain response.

A key neurotransmitter is serotonin hormone .However, low serotonin levels are simply another symptom of depression, not a cause. The more negative introspection you carry out, and the fewer pleasure-giving activities you participate in, the lower your serotonin levels become.

Among Men, Testosterone is an integral component of many of the body's functions. Low levels of this hormone may cause an overall sense of ill-being, known as hypogonadism. In fact, men with low levels of this vital hormone are 400% more likely to be diagnosed with depression. Low thyroid levels or hypothyroidism may also contribute to male  depression. This is due to the low levels of the thyroid hormone T3 which decreases serotonin (the "happy hormone"), an essential neurotransmitter for moods and behavior.

Some of the most common hormonal imbalances in men include:

• Andropause. Also known as the male menopause, andropause occurs as men grow older and their testosterone levels decline.
• Adrenal fatigue. If your stress levels remain high for a prolonged period of time, your adrenal gland can't produce enough of the stress hormone cortisol.
• Hypothyroidism. When your thyroid gland is underactive, it's not producing enough thyroid hormones.
• Hyperthyroidism. An overactive thyroid gland results in high levels of thyroid hormones and an increased metabolism.

Among Women, there are several hormones that play a part in depression. The relationships between hormones and depression in women include:

Estrogen: Boosts serotonin, which helps fight depression and promotes sleep. It also increases GABA, the calming neurotransmitter and raises endorphins, which help you feel good. Low estrogen levels often found in menopause can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

Progesterone: This hormone helps to balance estrogen, it helps promote sleep and has a natural calming effect. It also normalizes libido, is a natural diuretic and a natural antidepressant. Abnormal levels of progesterone  cause insomnia and contribute to bad moods.

Cortisol: This stress hormone can cause depression if levels rise too high or fall to far below average. High levels of cortisol  can create agitation, increased belly fat, insomnia and sugar cravings. Low levels can be associated with inability to handle stress, extreme fatigue, low libido and mood instability.

Additional Contributors to Depression

Women with a history of mood disorders are pre-conditioned to experience hormonal depression during menopause. Surgical menopause, or a hysterectomy, also heightens the risk of developing depression because of the drastic, rather than gradual, drop in estrogen. Additional stressors like children, a high stress job, or handling tough relationship , also make menopause depression more likely in women. Stress is difficult enough for our bodies to handle, add to that hormone imbalances and drastic physical changes, and you have a recipe for disaster.

General cure, is to correct the imbalance in hormones and the ways to achieve it are following right diet, adding nutritional supplements and improving healthy life style

Diet

A healthy diet is one of the most important steps you can take to boost and maintain your body’s serotonin levels. To this end, there are two goals to keep in mind. First, avoid all unhealthy foods, such as “junk” or processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and sugar, and also eliminate alcoholic beverages from your diet. Second, be sure to regularly eat foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which your body converts to serotonin. Foods high in tryptophan include avocadoes, chicken, cottage cheese, dark chocolate, eggs, oats, pork, turkey, wheat germ, and wild oats. Try to include at least one tryptophan-rich food at every meal, choosing organic foods whenever possible.

Nutritional Supplements

Various nutrients can also help your body produce sufficient serotonin, although not in place of a healthy diet. Such nutrients include B vitamins (especially B1, B3, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B12), calcium, and magnesium, all of which are usually found in a good multivitamin/mineral formula. Tryptophan and its precursor, 5-HTP (5-hydroxy tryptophan) can also be used, although both of these should ideally be taken under your doctor’s supervision.

Lifestyle

The most important lifestyle choice you can make when it comes to improving and maintaining serotonin levels is to get a good night’s sleep. For most people, this means going to bed before midnight and getting at least seven hours of relaxing sleep each night. If you have difficulty sleeping, talk with your doctor.

The second most important lifestyle choice is to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes at least three times a week. The best type of activity for this purpose is aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, or jumping on a mini-trampoline (rebounder).