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Treating Depression
New Alternatives To St. John's Wort


For the past two years St. John's Wort has been touted as the new miracle health alternative product for alleviating depression throughout the media and main stream press. Thousands of Americans are now using St. John's Wort to combat depression. St. John's Wort is a way of improving serotonin levels and thereby alleviating depression.

However, some people don't respond well to St. John's Wort. Now there is a new alternative for these people: 5-HTP, a molecule that actually converts to serotonin in the human body. This increases the production of serotonin, rather than slowing the re-uptake of serotonin as St. John's Wort is believed to operate.

Michael Murray, N.D., noted author of Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs, and leading investigator in the field of depression and natural health care alternatives, has written a new book on the topic of 5-HTP. In his book, Murray discusses how 5-HTP reacts in the body to alleviate depression and recommends taking both if you want to enhance the effects of 5-HTP.

Steven Sinatra, M.D. recommends taking both 5-HTP and St. John's Wort
together only if:

  • A person does not want to take prescription drugs.

  • A person can't sleep or has resistant insomnia and depression.

  • A person feels that their quality of life has not improved by taking these
    alternative health medications independently.

However, if you decide to combine medications together, please do so only under your doctor's supervision. These compounds are powerful and their effect on individuals may vary, especially when used together.

Several of Dr. Kamnitzer's patients with severe depression have reported a major improvement in mood, concentration and memory within a few days of using 5-HTP. For more information on improving your mood, concentration, and memory, please contact David Kamnitzer, D.C. at (650) 855-8052 or by e-mail.

Contributing content: Sinatra, Stephen, M.D., F.A.C.C. Heart Sense Newsletter by Phillips Publishing, Potomac, MD, June 1998

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