Wait-there’s evidence for that? Integrative medicine treatments for major depressive disorder
Int J Psychiatry Med. 2021 Sep;56(5):334-343. doi: 10.1177/00912174211046353.
ABSTRACT
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders and currently affects over 17 million Americans. Up to two-thirds of patients with depression in the United States will seek complementary and alternative or integrative medical treatments and thus medical providers who treat depression should understand that many integrative medical treatments have evidence of efficacy either as monotherapies or as add-on adjuncts to other treatments. This review references guidelines from the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments and Michigan Medicine, along with an updated literature review, to provide a framework for reviewing medications or herbal formulation, as well as other therapies, which have evidence in the treatment of depression. In general, St. John’s Wort, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, and crocus sativus (saffron) have the highest levels of evidence in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. Acetyl-l-carnitine, l-methylfolate, DHEA, and lavender have a moderate level of evidence in treating depression, whereas Vitamin D, one of the most common supplements in the United States, does not have evidence in treating depression. Of the non-medication-based therapies, exercise, light therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and probiotics have evidence in the treatment of depression, whereas a full review of dietary modifications for depression was out of scope for this article.
PMID:34521233 | DOI:10.1177/00912174211046353
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About The Author
Patrick Blanchard MD
Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.