Depression, Cytokines and Immunity

Mental health and Immune Dysfunction

Since 1945, depression has increased twenty-fold and 3.5 million people in the UK arebeing prescribed anti-depressants such as Prozac. Unlike the anti-depressant drug “soma” in Huxley’s famous novel “Brave New World”, modern happy-pills don’t just deliver vacuous bliss. The list of side-effects range from gut problems, drowsiness, insomnia and painful menstruation to hives, tremors, confusion, anxiety and impotence. In clinical studies, antidepressants have shown an increased risk of suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents. Surely it’s time to employ additional measures to tackle the epidemic of depressive disorders.

On Thursday, 15th June, a national conference in London will examine the latest scientific evidence on how diet, lifestyle and environment influence our mood and behaviour. Scientists and clinicians will be demonstrating cost-effective ways in which nutritional and lifestyle strategies can be used to improve some mood disorders, or employed as a viable add-on treatment to drug regimes.

One of the speakers will explore how the immune system may be involved. Michael Ash, a Nutritionist and Director of the Eldon Health Clinic, explains that depression occurs more frequently in those with medical conditions associated with immune dysfunction. Our brain and immune system talk to each other constantly using specialised ‘cell-messengers’ called cytokines which come in two varieties: pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory.

Researchers have identified that consistently raised levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body will cause lack of energy, appetite suppression, sleep disturbances, changes in mood and loss of interest. If we cannot produce appropriate anti-inflammatory cytokines to restore the balance in response to a psychological factor like stress, or a physical threat in form of a virus or bacteria, some people may develop depressive episodes. This type of depression is not just a reaction to the illness, but is caused by cytokines provoking an immune system which has lost its ability to return to a state of neutrality. Anti-depressant drugs may further inhibit the production of these crucial anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Michael Ash believes that one reason for the increase in depressive disorders may be a failure to develop a fully functional and appropriately matured mucosal immune system, sometimes due to our exposure to antibiotics from an early age. The gut and colon are the principle sites for the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Nutritional programmes that influence cytokines are new but show considerable promise. To improve gut immunity, says Ash, we need to provide specific therapeutic bacteria designed to promote anti-inflammatory cytokines both locally and systemically. Essential fatty acids are also required to help these “friendly” bacteria stick to the gut wall, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and improve brain function. These are exciting times for developing new treatments for depressive disorders - a brave new world indeed?

For more details about  the conference “Diet and Depression” please contact Pavilion on Tel. 0870 890 108 or visit www.pavpub.com.

Food and Mood Handbook

To arrange a nutritional consultation simply call the Dolphin House Clinic, Brighton, East Sussex on 01273 324790 or visit: www.thehealthbank.co.uk