Motor Neurone Disease
I am a complementary therapist at present working with my local social services involving a trial with patients who have Motor Neurone Disease. We are trying to help alleviate clinical depression, which is a major problem with this condition. Can you give us any advice on diet, supplements, useful reading etc?
There have been very few investigations into the effects of complementary medicine on motor neurone disease according to Dr George Lewith, co-founder of the Centre for the Study of Complementary Medicine (01703-334752), so your efforts will, hopefully, make a difference.
The main herbal treatment that has been shown over and over to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression is, of course, St John’s Wort which grows wild in the woodlands close to my home. Initially, researchers believed the active ingredient was the hypericin - but they have increasingly moved towards the view that all the component substances play an important role.
You should certainly investigate homeopathy, advises Dr Lewith, since it reports excellent results in the treatment of depression but again, it is not as simple as recommending one remedy. Homeopathy is always more effective when the treatment is tailor-made to the individual following what is called a constitutional one-to-one diagnosis.
Nutrition is hugely important in influencing mood and 20% of those admitted to hospitals suffering from depression have subsequently been found to be deficient in the anti-stress B vitamins, especially B6. Vitamin B1, for example, is known as the morale vitamin since it has such a beneficial effect on both the nervous system and mental outlook. A vitamin B deficiency can easily be remedied by prescribing a good B vitamin complex. You should also look into the role of magnesium but remember, if you supplement this mineral, you will need to supplement calcium too (in a ratio of 2:1 in favour of the calcium) since they are inextricably linked. You may have heard of some called phenylalanine - an amino acid which was first used as a natural antidepressant in the late 1960s. For more details about this and other mood-boosting brain chemicals, including serotonin, get a copy of Natural Antidepressants by Syd Maumel. This booklet is one of the excellent Keats Good Health Guide series and is a good and inexpensive introduction to the subject. (My copy cost just £2.99.)
Most people know acupuncture can help with pain relief, weight loss and breaking addictions but few realise it has a deep emotional impact too. I would also ask if you have considered the usefulness of yoga, not least because it teaches how to take responsibility for our own health, moods and happiness. For more details, contact The British Wheel of Yoga on 01529-306851.