Depression

Depression is more common than ever, and the average antidepressant shows only marginal benefit over placebo for mild-to-moderate cases. That's not a reason to reject medication, it's a reason to widen the toolkit. The physiological, nutritional, and lifestyle drivers of depression are often overlooked entirely in a ten-minute GP appointment.

6 takeaways from this chapter.

• The inflammatory model of depression, why chronic inflammation drives low mood in millions of cases
• Nutrient deficiencies strongly correlated with depression (B12, folate, vitamin D, omega-3)
• The gut-brain axis and the emerging evidence on microbiome interventions
• Why exercise has stronger evidence for mild-to-moderate depression than most drugs
• The role of circadian rhythm, light exposure, and sleep in mood stability
• Where regulatory peptides and cellular support fit into recovery

Anyone whose depression hasn't been meaningfully helped by SSRIs alone. People who suspect their mood issues are downstream of something physical, inflammation, hormones, gut, sleep. Anyone looking for a fuller picture than a six-week drug trial gives them.

Part of The Body Blueprint, 41 chapters across every system that matters. £6 per chapter, or £29 for the full bundle (save £217).