Cass Nelson-Dooley
Bio

Lab Tests:
Conditions: depression, fatigue, migraine headache, fibromyalgia, food allergy

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Five Causes of Depression that You Need to Know About

Saturday, 15 November 2008 10:42 by Cass Nelson-Dooley   RSS Feed


After watching this presentation, you should be able to:
  • Identify the underlying biochemical causes of depression, migraine headache, and fatigue
  • Determine when and why to test your amino acids, neurotransmitter catabolites, or food antibodies
  • Effectively interpret lab results and design a treatment plan for the person suffering with migraine headache, fatigue, or depression

Would you be surprised if someone told you poor nutrition can cause depression ? Do you want to look for the root causes of your symptoms?

If you have depression, migraine headache, or fatigue, you need to know your test results for:
  • Plasma amino acids, especially tryptophan
  • Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetate
  • Urinary vanilmandelate and homovanillate
  • Serum IgG4 food antibodies
  • Gut dysbiosis

These test results are often abnormal in people suffering with depression, migraine, or fatigue. Integrative medical doctors can recommend nutritional treatments and dietary modification to improve the underlying abnormalities and reduce symptoms for the long-term, without side effects. That means that you don’t have to put up with depression, migraine headache, or fatigue for the rest of your life. With some simple tests and nutritional treatments, you can relieve your depression, decrease the frequency and severity of migraines, and increase your energy levels.

Learn more about the testing profiles discussed in this post at the Metametrix.com website:

You might also be interested in this Case Study about the Triad Profile in Depression and Migraine Headache.

About the Author

Cass Nelson-Dooley is the Research Coordinator at the Metametrix Institute, where she educates clinicians about the use of laboratory data in patient care. She is co-author of, "Nutrient and Toxic Elements" in Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine. Ms. Nelson-Dooley completed a Fulbright scholarship and Master of Science in Ethnopharmacology. She has published in journals such as The Journal of Nutrition, Obesity Research, and Current Medicinal Chemistry.

References

  1. D'Andrea G, Perini F, Terrazzino S, Nordera GP: Contributions of biochemistry to the pathogenesis of primary headaches. Neurol Sci 2004; 25 Suppl 3:S89-92
  2. Melzack R: From the gate to the neuromatrix. Pain 1999; Suppl 6:S121-6
  3. Millichap JG, Yee MM: The diet factor in pediatric and adolescent migraine. Pediatr Neurol 2003; 28(1):9-15
  4. Packard RC, Ham LP: Pathogenesis of posttraumatic headache and migraine: a common headache pathway? Headache 1997; 37(3):142-52
  5. Cananzi AR, D'Andrea G, Perini F, Zamberlan F, Welch KM: Platelet and plasma levels of glutamate and glutamine in migraine with and without aura. Cephalalgia 1995; 15(2):132-5
  6. D'Andrea G, Cananzi AR, Joseph R, Morra M, Zamberlan F, Ferro Milone F, Grunfeld S, Welch KM: Platelet glycine, glutamate and aspartate in primary headache. Cephalalgia 1991; 11(4):197-200
  7. Ferrari MD: Biochemistry of migraine. Pathol Biol (Paris) 1992; 40(4):287-92
  8. Ferrari M, Odink J, Bruyn G: Biochemical differences between classic migraine, common migraine and tension headache, in New trends in clinical neurology, migraine, and other headaches. Edited by Ferrari M, Lataste X. Canforth, Parthenon Publishing, 1989, pp 151-160
  9. D'Andrea G, Canazi AR, Ferro-Milone F, Joseph R, Grunfeld S, Welch KM: Platelet levels of glutamate and aspartate in normal subjects. Stroke 1989; 20(2):299-300
  10. Smith KA, Fairburn CG, Cowen PJ: Relapse of depression after rapid depletion of tryptophan. Lancet 1997; 349(9056):915-9
  11. Ille R, Spona J, Zickl M, Hofmann P, Lahousen T, Dittrich N, Bertha G, Hasiba K, Mahnert FA, Kapfhammer HP: "Add-On"-therapy with an individualized preparation consisting of free amino acids for patients with a major depression. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2007; 257(4):222-9
  12. Stang PE, Yanagihara PA, Swanson JW, Beard CM, O'Fallon WM, Guess HA, Melton LJ, 3rd: Incidence of migraine headache: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Neurology 1992; 42(9):1657-62
  13. Van den Bergh V, Amery WK, Waelkens J: Trigger factors in migraine: a study conducted by the Belgian Migraine Society. Headache 1987; 27(4):191-6
  14. Peatfield RC, Glover V, Littlewood JT, Sandler M, Clifford Rose F: The prevalence of diet-induced migraine. Cephalalgia 1984; 4(3):179-83
  15. Robbins L: Precipitating factors in migraine: a retrospective review of 494 patients. Headache 1994; 34(4):214-6
  16. Egger J, Carter CM, Soothill JF, Wilson J: Oligoantigenic diet treatment of children with epilepsy and migraine. J Pediatr 1989; 114(1):51-8
  17. Egger J, Carter CM, Wilson J, Turner MW, Soothill JF: Is migraine food allergy? A double-blind controlled trial of oligoantigenic diet treatment. Lancet 1983; 2(8355):865-9

Other articles of interest:

Bipolar disorder and cell membrane dysfunction. Progress toward integrative management.

Outcome-based comparison of Ritalin versus food-supplement treated children with AD/HD.

 

 



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Comments

December 11. 2008 11:06

Dr. Julie Nelson

This presentation is very important for psychologists, because we are now receiving the right to medicate our clients (Louisiana, New Mexico).  Since psychologists have a proud history of being scientists first and technicians second, and since Prozac shows up in our drinking water, and since health researchers are finally admitting that it’s easier to prevent disease than to cure it (e.g. cancer), we should be very interested in this type of information.

The presentation is a concise, interesting, and understandable review of what’s underneath some forms of depression. It is well worth the short time it takes to watch it online.

Dr. Julie Nelson

December 19. 2008 11:04

cnelsondooley

Thank you for your comment. Increasing endogenous synthesis of neurotransmitters using nutrition can be an effective, low-risk, adjunctive treatment for patients suffering with depression, anxiety, or migraine headache and the scientific literature supports this approach. Laboratory testing and nutritional and dietary interventions can be important tools for doctors treating complex patients.

I applaud the psychologists out there who are considering the role of nutrition and gut health in their clients’ mental and emotional healthcare. With the tools to correct nutritional and immunological imbalances, mental health professionals could fundamentally change the way we look at, and treat, depression and anxiety.

cnelsondooley United States

February 4. 2009 17:02

cnelson-dooley

We received an email from an integrative psychiatrist pointing out that the references in the original post pertained almost solely to migraines. Here is a more complete listing:

References

1.  Ille R, Spona J, Zickl M, et al. "Add-On"-therapy with an individualized preparation consisting of free amino acids for patients with a major depression. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. Jun 2007;257(4):222-229.
2.  Bralley J, Lord R. Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with specific amino acid supplementation. J App Nutr. 1994;46(3):74-78.
3.  Delgado PL, Charney DS, Price LH, Aghajanian GK, Landis H, Heninger GR. Serotonin function and the mechanism of antidepressant action. Reversal of antidepressant-induced remission by rapid depletion of plasma tryptophan. Arch Gen Psychiatry. May 1990;47(5):411-418.
4.  Smith KA, Fairburn CG, Cowen PJ. Relapse of depression after rapid depletion of tryptophan. Lancet. Mar 29 1997;349(9056):915-919.
5.  Packard RC, Ham LP. Pathogenesis of posttraumatic headache and migraine: a common headache pathway? Headache. Mar 1997;37(3):142-152.
6.  Lauritzen M. Pathophysiology of the migraine aura. The spreading depression theory. Brain. Feb 1994;117 ( Pt 1):199-210.
7.  Cananzi AR, D'Andrea G, Perini F, Zamberlan F, Welch KM. Platelet and plasma levels of glutamate and glutamine in migraine with and without aura. Cephalalgia. Apr 1995;15(2):132-135.
8.  D'Andrea G, Cananzi AR, Joseph R, et al. Platelet glycine, glutamate and aspartate in primary headache. Cephalalgia. Sep 1991;11(4):197-200.
9.  Ferrari MD. Biochemistry of migraine. Pathol Biol (Paris). Apr 1992;40(4):287-292.
10.  Ferrari M, Odink J, Bruyn G. Biochemical differences between classic migraine, common migraine and tension headache. In: Ferrari M, Lataste X, eds. New trends in clinical neurology, migraine, and other headaches. Canforth: Parthenon Publishing; 1989:151-160.
11.  D'Andrea G, Canazi AR, Ferro-Milone F, Joseph R, Grunfeld S, Welch KM. Platelet levels of glutamate and aspartate in normal subjects. Stroke. Feb 1989;20(2):299-300.
12.  D'Andrea G, Perini F, Terrazzino S, Nordera GP. Contributions of biochemistry to the pathogenesis of primary headaches. Neurol Sci. Oct 2004;25 Suppl 3:S89-92.
13.  Naughton M, Mulrooney JB, Leonard BE. A review of the role of serotonin receptors in psychiatric disorders. Hum Psychopharmacol. Aug 2000;15(6):397-415.
14.  Millichap JG, Yee MM. The diet factor in pediatric and adolescent migraine. Pediatr Neurol. Jan 2003;28(1):9-15.
15.  D'Andrea G, Toldo M, Cortelazzo S, Milone FF. Platelet activity in migraine. Headache. Sep 1982;22(5):207-212.
16.  Biggio G, Fadda F, Fanni P, Tagliamonte A, Gessa GL. Rapid depletion of serum tryptophan, brain tryptophan, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid by a tryptophan-free diet. Life Sci. Apr 1 1974;14(7):1321-1329.
17.  Castellanos FX, Elia J, Kruesi MJ, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatry Res. Jun 1994;52(3):305-316.
18.  Hibbeln JR, Umhau JC, Linnoila M, et al. A replication study of violent and nonviolent subjects: cerebrospinal fluid metabolites of serotonin and dopamine are predicted by plasma essential fatty acids. Biol Psychiatry. Aug 15 1998;44(4):243-249.
19.  Pagana KD, Pagana TJ. Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2002.
20.  Bousser MG, Elghozi JL, Laude D, Soisson T. Urinary 5-HIAA in migraine: evidence of lowered excretion in young adult females. Cephalalgia. Dec 1986;6(4):205-209.
21.  Gershon MD. Review article: serotonin receptors and transporters -- roles in normal and abnormal gastrointestinal motility. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. Nov 2004;20 Suppl 7:3-14.
22.  Martignoni E, Blandini F, D'Andrea G. Platelet and plasma catecholamines levels in patients: Evidences for menstural-related variability of the noradrenergic tone. Biogenic Amines. 1994;10:147-152.
23.  Nagel-Leiby S, Welch KM, Grunfeld S, D'Andrea G. Ovarian steroid levels in migraine with and without aura. Cephalalgia. Jun 1990;10(3):147-152.
24.  D'Andrea G, Cananzi AR, Morra M, et al. Platelet catecholamines in cluster headache. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Apr 1992;55(4):308-309.
25.  Goldstein DS, Eisenhofer G, Kopin IJ. Sources and significance of plasma levels of catechols and their metabolites in humans. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. Jun 2003;305(3):800-811.
26.  Traskman L, Asberg M, Bertilsson L, Sjostrand L. Monoamine metabolites in CSF and suicidal behavior. Arch Gen Psychiatry. Jun 1981;38(6):631-636.
27.  Mitani H, Shirayama Y, Yamada T, Kawahara R. Plasma levels of homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and cortisol, and serotonin turnover in depressed patients. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. May 2006;30(3):531-534.
28.  White JF. Intestinal pathophysiology in autism. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). Jun 2003;228(6):639-649.
29.  DeMeo MT, Mutlu EA, Keshavarzian A, Tobin MC. Intestinal permeation and gastrointestinal disease. J Clin Gastroenterol. Apr 2002;34(4):385-396.
30.  Kemeny DM, Urbanek R, Amlot PL, Ciclitira PJ, Richards D, Lessof MH. Sub-class of IgG in allergic disease. I. IgG sub-class antibodies in immediate and non-immediate food allergy. Clin Allergy. Nov 1986;16(6):571-581.
31.  Paganelli R, Fagiolo U, Cancian M, Scala E. Intestinal permeability in patients with chronic urticaria-angioedema with and without arthralgia. Ann Allergy. Feb 1991;66(2):181-184.
32.  Atkinson W, Sheldon TA, Shaath N, Whorwell PJ. Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Gut. Oct 2004;53(10):1459-1464.
33.  De Santis A, Addolorato G, Romito A, et al. Schizophrenic symptoms and SPECT abnormalities in a coeliac patient: regression after a gluten-free diet. J Intern Med. Nov 1997;242(5):421-423.
34.  Patten SB, Williams JV. Self-reported allergies and their relationship to several Axis I disorders in a community sample. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2007;37(1):11-22.
35.  Svedlund J, Sjodin I, Dotevall G, Gillberg R. Upper gastrointestinal and mental symptoms in the irritable bowel syndrome. Scand J Gastroenterol. Jun 1985;20(5):595-601.
36.  Stang PE, Yanagihara PA, Swanson JW, et al. Incidence of migraine headache: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Neurology. Sep 1992;42(9):1657-1662.
37.  Van den Bergh V, Amery WK, Waelkens J. Trigger factors in migraine: a study conducted by the Belgian Migraine Society. Headache. Apr 1987;27(4):191-196.
38.  Peatfield RC, Glover V, Littlewood JT, Sandler M, Clifford Rose F. The prevalence of diet-induced migraine. Cephalalgia. Sep 1984;4(3):179-183.
39.  Robbins L. Precipitating factors in migraine: a retrospective review of 494 patients. Headache. Apr 1994;34(4):214-216.
40.  Egger J, Carter CM, Soothill JF, Wilson J. Oligoantigenic diet treatment of children with epilepsy and migraine. J Pediatr. Jan 1989;114(1):51-58.
41.  Egger J, Carter CM, Wilson J, Turner MW, Soothill JF. Is migraine food allergy? A double-blind controlled trial of oligoantigenic diet treatment. Lancet. Oct 15 1983;2(8355):865-869.
42.  Bishop MJ, Crow BS, Kovalcik KD, George J, Bralley JA. Quantification of urinary awitterionic organic acids using weak-anion exchange chromatography with tandem MS detection. Journal of Chromatography B. 2007;848(2):303-310.
43.  Crow B, Bishop M, Paliakov E, Norton D, George J, Bralley JA. Analysis of urinary aromatic acids by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Biomed Chromatogr. Jul 25 2008.
44.  NCCLS. How to Define and Determine Reference Intervals in the Clinical Laboratory; Approved Guideline - Second Edition. NCCLS document C28-A2 (ISBN  1-56238-406-6). Vol 15. Wayne, Pennsylvania: NCCLS; 2000.
45.  Ritz BW, Lord RS. Case study: The effectiveness of a dietary supplement regimen in reducing IgG-mediated food sensitivity in ADHD. Altern Ther Health Med. May-Jun 2005;11(3):72-75.
46.  Young SN. The use of diet and dietary components in the study of factors controlling affect in humans: a review. J Psychiatr Neurosci. 1993;18(5):235-244.
47.  Hanington E. Migraine. In: Lessof M, ed. Clinical reactions to food. Chichester: John Wiley; 1983:155-180.

cnelson-dooley United States

February 19. 2009 21:31

Dr. Julie Nelson

That's a fantastic list. Thank you!

Dr. Julie Nelson

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