The Wellness of You! # 213 - Bone Loss Risk
posted in Nutrition and Weight Loss |Never an evening goes by that I don’t see another one of those commercials for prescription medicines. They have commercials for prescriptions for just about everything you can imagine, but many of them are for depression and anxiety. What a statement for our society that the drug companies can be profitable while paying for commercials for these products. Are there that many of us who need these products, or is this just an easy way out of actually dealing with the cause of the problem?
In today’s world, if you go to your doctor for anxiety or depression, they’ll hand you a prescription for something like Zoloft or Prozac. One of the things that most of us don’t realize or take notice of, is that these drugs have a slew of side effects. There is the risk of impotence, weight gain, low blood pressure, and loss of libido.
There’ another one — and that’s the risk of bone loss — or osteoporosis. Several researchers have found that people over 50 who take antidepressants have double the risk of this bone loss condition. The study - published in the Archives of Internal Medicine - found that the pills may have a direct effect on bone cells, decreasing bone size and strength. The result is an increased risk for broken bones and further loss of bone density.
However, those of you who are taking one of these drugs do have another alternative that won’t mess up your body or your bones. It’s a natural option and it’s called S-adenosyl methionine (SAM-e). SAM-e is present in every cell of your body. However, because of aging and our tendency towards poor nutrition, the amount of SAM-e produced in our bodies is less than it should be.
Scientists have been studying SAM-e for decades. In most cases, it is as effective as antidepressant drugs - and it doesn’t have the side effects mentioned above. SAM-e is known to raise levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, and it may also accelerate the production, uptake, and re-release of serotonin. Recent study results show that SAM-e may help to relieve the symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, it may relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia, a condition that causes generalized pain in the muscles and joints.
A few years ago, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study that compared SAM-e and a popular antidepressant for six weeks. All the participants showed positive improvement, but those taking the SAM-e reported almost no side effects. (On rare occasions, SAM-e will upset your stomach - or, very rarely, may cause a skin rash. But these symptoms disappear when you stop taking it.) At the end of the study, SAM-e had performed just as well as the prescription drug and was better tolerated.
SAM-e is available in most health food stores, drug stores and on the Internet.
As always, if your anxiety or depression persists, get in touch with your doctor. You should also refer to your doctor whenever you decide to try a non-prescription treatment option. People with Parkinson’s or bi-polar disorder should not take SAM-e supplements. Pregnant women and children need to consult with their doctor before taking any non-prescription supplement.
And, of course, if you’re taking one of the antidepressant drugs like, Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil — or you’re taking one of the MAOIs, like, Marplan, Narpil or Parnate, don’t start taking SAM-e without first consulting with your doctor. Definitely, don’t take them both at the same time.
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Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)
Ron
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