As more Americans are taking antidepressants like Zoloft, and as negative feedback on their side effects continue to mount, many people are seeking alternatives to prescription medications.  The good thing is, recent studies suggest that vitamins may be used to ease depression, instead of antidepressants. These vitamins are Omega-3, folates, SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) and St. John’s wort.

According to an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. George Papakostas, “we always recommend that patients take these natural supplements under the care of a doctor and not independently.”

An increasing evidence noted that omega-3 fatty acids, aside from being essential for cardiac health, may also help in easing depression. The rate of depression cases is lower in places where people have an omega-3 fatty-rich diet like sardines, mackerel, salmon and tuna. This is based on studies published in the American College of Nutrition journal in 2009.

Various studies have also shown that folates combined with antidepressants improved the effectiveness of the prescription drugs and have been known to reduce some side effects.

A recent study conducted at Harvard University and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry concluded that SAMe is effective as an “add-on” treatment to prescription antidepressants in some patients experiencing major depression.

Moreover, some studies show that St. John’s wort is capable of relieving depression better than a placebo, but others show it is “a little more effective” than nothing at all.

Antidepressants Put Pregnant Women at Risk

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public health advisory that said:

“FDA is advising health care professionals to discuss the potential risk of birth defects with patients who are taking Zoloft and who plan to become pregnant or are in their first three months of pregnancy. Health care professionals should consider discontinuing Zoloft (andswitching to another antidepressant if indicated) in these patients. In some patients, the benefits of continuing Zoloft may be greater than the potential risk to the fetus. FDA is advising health care professionals avoid prescribing Zoloft in women who are in the first three months of pregnancy or who are planning pregnancy, unless other treatment options are not appropriate.”

Pfizer has been already charged with Zoloft lawsuit by the affected patients for the damages caused by the drug.  Health care professionals note with great importance the need to properly establish the timing and kind of medications prescribed for pregnant women, including those who are still suspecting pregnancy. Hence, to avoid any harmful side effects, consumers, particularly women, should always consult a doctor first before taking any medication.