A Better Understanding of Depression and Happiness - Mary Caire MD
Mary Caire MD is a ground-breaking integrative medical doctor and leader in DNA-informed precision healthcare focusing on epigenetics. She empowers all to achieve optimal health and live their best life.
integrative, functional, medicine, doctor, DNA, precision medicine, personalized, healthcare, optimal health, wellness, epigenetics, vitality
17441
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-17441,single-format-video,theme-bridge,woocommerce-no-js,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,columns-4,qode-theme-ver-13.0,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.4.4,vc_responsive

A Better Understanding of Depression and Happiness

23 Jan A Better Understanding of Depression and Happiness

Posted at 13:04h in Autoimmune, Depression, Environment, Exercise, Hormones, Integrative Medicince, Natural Healing, Nutrition, Sleep, Stress by

Depression affects over 300 million of us, according to the World Health Organization. In the U.S., almost 7% of Americans are suffering from this disorder and it’s estimated that 15% of the adult population in this country will experience depression at some point in their lives. Last year, NBC news reported that major depression is on the rise in all age groups in America, but its rising fastest for teens and young adults.

What’s going on for so many of us? 

Depression is a symptom of a larger health issue. Like many other functional doctors, I am seeing a connection between chronic inflammation in the body and depression. To improve mood, we need to reduce that inflammation. Dr. Kelly Brogan made headlines recently when she published her book about the gut-brain connection. Simply, as we improve our physical health, our mental health follows.

In this podcast and interview, Dr. Rhonda Patrick and Dr. Charles Raison explore the biological, organic causes of clinical depression and the link of the behavior of the immune system with the brain.

The discussion covers these topics and much more:

  • Whole-body hyperthermia (core body temperature was elevated to 101.3 F) and thermal regulation as a treatment for major depression. The benefits of hot yoga and saunas.
  • How exercise and particularly endurance can protect against this.
  • How certain practices such as fasting and meditation can help depression.
  • The latest learnings from bright-light therapy and how light affects biological rhythms.
  • How anti-depressant drugs can create a long-term reliance as well as vulnerability to the disease. 
  • The possibility that antidepressant drugs may create long-term reliance and potentially increased vulnerability to depression.


Ready to get started reducing inflammation? While working with a functional physician is key to address your specific needs, here are six quick tips that will help:

  1. Omit refined sugars from your diet. They spike insulin levels and trigger the release of inflammatory cytokines.
  2. Work to omit artificial chemicals and pesticides from your environment, home and personal care products.
  3. Omit gluten, genetically modified foods (GMOs) and processed foods from your diet. They promote gut permeability and changes in our intestinal flora that disrupt the immune system. Eat a balanced, whole-foods diet instead. Try my Whole 30 eating plan.
  4. Get moving! Exercise regularly and prioritize Peak 8 as well as endurance activity.
  5. Reduce stress.
  6. Get proper sleep each night. Take my melatonin sleep supplement to ensure a deep rest.


If you’re in the Dallas area and would like to come in for a consultation, contact us. We’d love to partner with you on your path to better health and happiness.

Comments

comments