Undiagnosed Gluten Intolerance May Be the Cause of Depression
2011-09-16 17:06:44.710 GMT
Undiagnosed Gluten Intolerance May Be the Cause of Depression
HealthNOW Medical Center Resolves Depression without Dangerous Drugs
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA -- (Marketwire) -- 09/16/11 -- Despite a
growing number of studies that show antidepressants to be no more
effective than placebos, they remain one of the most frequently
prescribed drug types in the U.S. Millions of Americans take
antidepressants every day and yet are no closer to finding the actual
cause of their depression or getting rid of it. At HealthNOW Medical
Center, doctors have discovered that there are undiagnosed physical
conditions behind depression which, when addressed, restore emotional
health without dangerous drugs. One of the most common health
problems behind depression is gluten intolerance, an umbrella term
which includes celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
According to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, U.S.
consumers spent more than $11 billion on antidepressants in 2010
alone. For many of these consumers, the antidepressants don't work -
a fact that is borne out by several scientific studies. The solution
to this ineffectiveness, as offered by medical doctors and
pharmaceutical companies, is to take an additional drug - usually an
antipsychotic. As a result, 2010 saw another $1.4 billion spent on
antipsychotics.
Despite this drug combination, the rates of depression continue to
soar and millions of Americans continue to suffer from depression
while taking drugs with serious side effects.
"The reason for this outrageous situation is that drug companies
continue to push an incorrect diagnosis for depression on the public,
and on medical doctors. They say it's a 'chemical imbalance' or, in
the case of those whose family members also suffer from depression,
it's 'genetic'. In 20 years of practice, I have rarely seen a patient
suffering from depression or anxiety who did not have an actual
physical condition behind their mental and emotional problems," said
Dr. Vikki Petersen, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, author of the
groundbreaking book "The Gluten Effect" and co-founder of HealthNOW
Medical Center.
"In my experience, the most common causes behind depression are
gluten intolerance, poor nutrition, adrenal exhaustion, and hormonal
imbalance. At HealthNOW Medical Center, we thoroughly test each
patient to find the root cause of their depression and, invariably,
there is a real solution - one that gets rid of the depression while
improving the person's health, and without the need for dangerous
drugs that do nothing more than attempt to relieve the symptoms."
How does gluten intolerance cause depression?
According to Dr. Petersen, the nervous system is more commonly
affected by gluten intolerance than any part of the body other than
the digestive system. In a gluten intolerant person, the body reacts
to the gluten protein as if it were a toxin: the immune system
attacks the affected area of the body in an attempt to get rid of the
protein or reduce its effect. However, the protein to which those
with gluten intolerance are reacting is very similar to other
proteins found in the body, including those in the brain. When the
body confuses these proteins, the immune system attacks the brain and
nervous system. This results in inflammation and irritation that, in
turn, causes depression and anxiety.
"Millions of people could end their suffering if doctors simply
examined them fully for all the possible physical factors behind the
patient's depression. Unfortunately, they are drug-oriented and more
often than not drugs are their only solution. At HealthNOW Medical
Center, we specialize in getting to the root cause of depression and
other health problems so we can help the patient actually get
better."
Dr. Petersen has written an e-book which she offers free of charge to
anyone who would like to investigate the possibility of gluten
intolerance causing their depression or other health problem. For
more information on depression and gluten intolerance, or to get a
copy of the free e-book, visit HealthNOW Medical Center.
About HealthNOW Medical Center
HealthNOW is a unique medical clinic in Sunnyvale California that
combines the best of internal medicine, clinical nutrition,
naturopathy, physical therapy and chiropractic. The team of doctors
from these disciplines proactively work together to resolve patients'
unique health problems and conditions. What really sets this medical
center apart from most medical clinics highlights a very unfortunate
fact about the medical industry, its emphasis on treating symptoms.
HealthNOW is about what every medical clinic in the world should be:
finding and fixing the root cause of health problems.
HealthNOW takes pride in being able to wean patients off drugs
successfully by identifying the actual root cause of the problem.
While dietary and nutritional factors are often causative agents,
other contributing factors are identified and personalized for each
patient through specialized lab tests to achieve a successful result.
HealthNOW Medical Center treats patients from around the country as
well as internationally. They created a "Destination Clinic" to cater
to the needs of those visiting from out of state or out of the
country.
Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, CCN is co-founder of HealthNOW Medical Center
and the author of "The Gluten Effect". She has been featured in
national magazines, international medical journals and is a frequent
headlined speaker. She regularly blogs at Everyday Health,
Celiac.com, Celiac Central and HealthNOW.
Contacts:
Doug Hay & Associates
Doug Hay
877-226-3823
doug@doughayassoc.com
