Antidepressants Linked to Artery Disease
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Troubling Data Linking Antidepressant To Thicker Arteries
Emory University School of Medicine researchers recently presented troubling data linking antidepressant use to thicker arteries at the American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans.
The study included 513 middle-aged male twins who both served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Researchers monitored the thickness of the lining of the carotid arteries, the main arteries of the neck that supply blood flow to the brain. Among the twins in which only one brother took antidepressants, the one taking medication tended to have increased carotid artery thickness.
Assessing carotid artery thickness is a conventional test to assess atherosclerosis, plaque formation in arteries. Studies have shown that plaque formation in the carotid arteries closely parallels plaque formation in the heart and other vital arteries of the body.
This makes one more susceptible to stroke and heart attack.
Author Amit Shah, MD, a cardiology fellow at Emory University School of Medicine comments, “One of the strongest and best-studied factors that thickens someone’s arteries is age, and that happens at around 10 microns per year,” Shah says. “In our study, users of antidepressants see an average 40 micron increase in IMT, so their carotid arteries are in effect four years older.”
There are different classes of antidepressant medications. The most commonly prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The most well known is Fluoxetine (Prozac). In this study researchers found carotid artery thickening in those who used SSRI’s as well as the other types of antidepressants. The reason for this artery thickening effect is not known.
Depression affects approximately 10% of the US population in any given year. Millions of Americans are prescribed antidepressants. A variety of side effects can occur from these medications such as tremors, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, suicidal thoughts, agitation, heart rhythm disturbance, and increased fracture risk. Recent research has questioned the effectiveness of these medications.
Additional Side Effects of Antidepressants
Tremors
Insomnia
Sexual Dysfunction
Suicidal Thoughts
Agitation
Heart Rhythm Disturbance
Increased Fracture Risk
Natural Solutions To Depression
My experience is that most patients can overcome or manage depression with natural methods. My recommendations are as follows:
(1) Stress Reduction Techniques
(2) Counseling
(3) A Mediterranean Style Diet Rich In Omega 3 Fatty Acids
(4) Targeted Nutritional Supplements – Those that support the brain’s production of neurotransmitters. Examples include 5 HTP, SAMe, ST. John’s Wort, and high dose fish oil. I suggest working with a holistic doctor to assess your needs.
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Reference: Emory University Website http://shared.web.emory.edu/whsc/news/releases/2011/04/antidepressants-linked-to-thicker-arteries.html
Thank you doctor Stengler I never took any antidep, I am using your 5 Htp plus and really happy with it. I feel fantastic after gall bladder surgery that you suggested I must have. I am off prilocec and just taking only one zantac before bed and planning to stop this too. Because we need acid to digest food.
YOu were my life saver. and still are. Best wishes to you and family.
Alla Kirichenko.
YOu can always publish my emails and use as a testimonial.
HI Alla
Sometimes surgery is needed. Glad you are well and the 5htp plus from our clinic is effective.
Dr Stengler
I just stopped taking antidepressants two months ago. I was on them for nine years so I guess I am in great danger. what can I do?
Butting in, isn’t it absurd that herbal medicines are coming off the shelves today in the name of safety… how many medications from Big Pharma shouldn’t be available for sale because of the side-effects but still are? This is wholly one-sided, a consequence of lobbying not medical priority and has nothing to do with patient care.
Thanks so much for your newsletters on natural medical breakthroughs, Dr. Stengler. They are very helpful and informative. I am going through peri-menopause and after taking maca root for 6 weeks, my severe hot flashes accompanied by profuse sweating have disappeared. However, I have heart palpitations, around the same time each night and in the morning. I go to sleep on time, but I wake up before I should (total of 6 to 7 hours sleep). My regular doctor recommended an antidepressant(Zoloft) when I started with menopausal symptoms, but I decided not take any. Do you think 5HTP would help with the symptoms I have now? I am not depressed, though. I must say that my doctor also said to stop taking maca root because it affects the thyroid function. However, my thyroid blood tests are normal(my skin and hair are much drier since I started menopause about 5 months ago.) Thanks a lot for your help, Dr. Stengler.
HI
Maca can work quite well for menopausal symptoms. I dont know why he is concerned about thyroid function, it can improve the function mildly and your levels are normal. Extra magnesium–400 mg each evening may help your heart palpitations. A time released melatonin may help your sleep better. A hormone analaysis and further natural treatment is likely the way to address the root issue.
Dr Stengler
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Thank you for your enlightment for the American public.
We are tired of GMO;drug Fluoride in our drinking water; pesticides+herbecides+bT-toxin(butulism-toxin in GMO foods)+hormones+masive antibiotics in all our conventional meats and vegetables; vaccines and dangerous Big Pharm drugs. A non-resposive FDA putting profits, lobbyist, politics above the suffering American people. You are a good man of God and a Beacon in the dark(the American public).
Thank God for Dr. Stengler. I am 57 yrs. old and hit menapause at age 55. One AM I woke up from night sleep, I heard intense hissing noise coming out of my right ear. MRI and hearing test and comprehensive blood test are all normal. It is loud and I want to jump out of my body and run but I can’t. No one can explain it to my satisfaction how this came about. Please explain. I can’t rest until someone can tell me what is this phenomenon and how to deal or when will it stop? It is loud on day 1 and slowly decreases in volume through day 2,3,4 until I can barely hear it and then the next day the volume resumes to loud/very loud and this pattern will repeat on and on. It’s been over 4 years now. I am very emotionally disturb by it and hard to live with. I did tried TRT but not very satisfactory. Hope you may share some insight and help many million sufferer out there.
HI
I sometimes see symptoms like this related to menopause. Changes in your hormones can affect inner ear circulation. WOrk with a holistic doctor to balance your hormones. ALso, acupuncture could be helpful.
Dr Stengler