Depression and Inflammation and Hormone Imbalance

Inflammation & Depression

Inflammation involves the body’s immune reaction to something. For example, getting a cut or some sort of body trauma, experiencing a chemical exposure such as pesticides, or having an impaired ability to clear natural metabolic wastes can all trigger inflammation. Keep in mind, there are numerous more examples of triggers for inflammation. Short term, inflammation is needed to help the body repair. Long-term inflammation leads to a whole host of symptoms and causes damage to the brain and body. If fact, chronic inflammation is implicated in every chronic disease there is – including depression!

Inflammation levels can be measured in the body by looking at markers in the blood, such as CRP, IL-6, and TNF-a. We often see high levels of inflammatory markers in autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, and post-surgery. In addition, we can see high levels of inflammatory markers in depression. A study found that people with suicide ideation had higher levels of inflammatory markers than people who did not. 

Inflammation affects the way our brain cells function, including how the brain produces and processes neurotransmitters. People who have a lot of inflammation are less likely to respond to antidepressant therapies or natural therapies that address neurotransmitters. Potent anti-inflammatory herbs such as curcumin have been shown to decrease depression symptoms in people with major depressive disorder. 

The best way to address inflammation is first to find the source. In many people, the cause is a poor diet filled with sugar, processed foods, fried foods, and low in fresh fruit and vegetables (which quench inflammation). In others, autoimmune diseases, an imbalanced gut flora, or exposure to toxic chemicals are to blame. Each person is different, and their inflammation should be looked at on an individual basis.

Hormone imbalances

An imbalance of hormones can affect the health of men and women. It can contribute to physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

An in-depth understanding of the connection between hormones and our bodies can provide us with a strong foundation for understanding our health. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a role in many processes in the body, including breast development, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and mood. Estrogen affects serotonin, a chemical in our brains and bodies, known as a neurotransmitter, which influences mood, behavior, appetite, sexual function, and digestion. Also, there are estrogen receptors in the brain, in an area called the amygdala, which is mainly responsible for emotional memories and mood.

Women are more likely to suffer from depression and/or anxiety during times of estrogen fluctuations such as premenstrual, postpartum, and peri-menopause. A drop in estrogen, which occurs before the menstrual cycle, after childbirth, and during menopause, causes shifts in the production of neurotransmitters.

It is essential to have the proper levels and the right ratios of hormones and neurotransmitters, which means a sudden drop or increase in either is very destabilizing on the body. Women’s bodies are designed to have fluctuations in hormones every month with menstrual cycles, and with pregnancy, but when changes are too extreme, it can result in adverse symptoms, including depressed mood and anxiety.

In addition to estrogen, another hormone, progesterone, fluctuates during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and a steep drop off of progesterone is associated with anxiety and depression. Progesterone is known as the calming and relaxing hormone, as it causes an increase of a neurotransmitter, GABA, which has a slowing and calming effect on the brain. It is, therefore, common to experience anxiety, as well as trouble sleeping, when progesterone levels are out of balance.

Depression is more commonly diagnosed in females, however, males also suffer from depression and depressive symptoms. Much like with females, hormone levels in males affect mood.

Testosterone naturally falls with age, and low testosterone is associated with depressive symptoms, as well as anxiety. Optimizing testosterone both naturally and with bioidentical hormone replacement has been successful in mitigating depressed mood as well as several other symptoms males can experience as a result of low testosterone.

Thyroid hormones play an important role in mood and mental health.

Low thyroid, known as hypothyroidism, causes the metabolism to slow down and has been associated with depression. An over-functioning thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, speeds up the body’s processes and thus increases feelings of anxiety and agitation. Both of these conditions can be evaluated through lab testing. Additionally, when thyroid hormone levels are considered within a normal range, but on the low end, females are shown to still be at risk of depression and depressive