Vitamin B6 and PMS

Got plaque?

The conventional approach uses a process known as ‘Triple Therapy’ – this is the combination of two different antibiotics in-conjunction with a proton-pump inhibitor (which lowers HCL).

Not only does this have a low success rate, but it makes the host vulnerable to infection from other pathogens and parasites post-treatment. This is due to decreased stomach acid and a lessened ability to sterilise bacteria within food along with less competitive dominance within the gastrointestinal tract due to the eradication of the microbiota (pathogenic and beneficial species) within the gut, leaving available space to harbour unwanted bacteria.

H. Pylori is starting to develop resistance to antibiotics, making the conventional approach less and less effective – leading to the ‘thought’ process of adding more medication to the mix to overcome this resistance by using ‘Quadruple Therapy’.

The Health Protection Agency reports that the prevalence of H. Pylori antibiotic resistance varies within the UK depending on location, from 20-63% for metronidazole and 4.4-11% for clarithromycin. [11]

This is one factor explaining why as many as 20% of affected individuals have a reoccurring infection even after treatment.

Another factor for reinfection is the presence of H. Pylori in the oral cavity [1–3]; therefore, failure to eliminate H. Pylori from the mouth could lead to gastrointestinal reinfection.

Gingivitis and chronic periodontitis may be associated with H. Pylori infection and considered as a potential reservoir for bacteria. [4,5]

The plaque should be removed professionally, and oral hygiene procedures should be performed along with eradication strategies of H. Pylori [6] to increase the probability of success.

One could argue that an alternative approach yields much less risk to the host when compared with the iatrogenic complications and long-term hindrance from antibiotics (especially given that a single course of antibiotics can disturb the microbiome for unto 2-4 years post-treatment [12]).

The following has been found effective when addressing H. Pylori:

• Bismuth subcitrate
• Mastic gum
• Goldenseal/Berberine
• DGL Licorice wafers
• Matula tea

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The following foods have also been found beneficial:

• Coconut oil
• Manuka honey

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All this has to be addressed with the appreciation of humans being a multi-dimensional and bi-directional organism.

Seeking advice from a trusted professional is always recommended when dealing with any health ailments.

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References:

1. Morales-Espinosa R, et al., Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2009
2. Nguyen AM, et al., Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1995
3. Miyabayashi H, et al., Helicobacter. 2000
4. Gebara EC, et al., J Clin Periodontol. 2006
5. Dye BA, et al., Am J Public Health. 2002
6. Eskandari A, et al. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal.
7. Abro AH, et al. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2011
8. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2014
9. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2011
10. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011
11. Surveillance of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in England and Wales; Public Health England, 2008
12. Jernberg, C, et al. 2010

Below are alternative methods which have been studied for their efficacy and effectiveness in combating postpartum depression.

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Saffron

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 60 new mothers diagnosed with PPD. After 8 weeks, results showed that the saffron group experienced a 96% remission rate for postpartum depression from just 15-mg Saffron per day, more than double the remission rate of placebo group ‘Researchers concluded that saffron can have a safe and significant mood-elevating impact for those suffering from postpartum depression who want to safely breast-feed their newborns’ (8)

When compared with antidepressant medications, saffron has been found to have similar efficacy – without the side effects.

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Folate

In placebo-controlled trials, folate has been used as an adjunctive treatment to fluoxetine. Findings indicated significantly greater improvement in the folate group, a difference most pronounced in women (14)

94% of women who received fluoxetine, with the addition of folate 500 mcg per day, were treatment responders, compared with 61% of those who received fluoxetine and placebo

It is recommended that women of reproductive age consume 0.4–1 mg folate daily to reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects.

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Exercise

Exercise is integral to optimal health in pregnancy, as well as in the prevention of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, along with other comorbid diseases. Regular physical activity (after selectively auditing through 216 studies) during pregnancy, pregnancy, and puerperium, or in the postnatal period itself as compared to inactivity, was found to reduce the risk of developing depression in pregnant women and after the birth of a child (6)

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Massage

A meta-analysis of 17 RCTs of massage therapy in depressed people concluded that massage therapy is significantly associated with reduced depressive symptoms (11), decreased urinary levels of cortisol (12); and increased urinary levels of serotonin and dopamine (13)

The purpose of this post is to raise awareness and display the vast array of possible paths one could take in supporting their own mental well-being when combatting PPD.

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Infant Massages

Infant massage improves mother-infant interaction for mothers with postnatal depression (7)

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Seafood

In a large Danish prospective cohort study of more than 54,000 women, participants who were in the lowest quartile of self-reported fish intake during pregnancy were at increased risk of being treated for depression with an antidepressant up to 1-year postnatally (9). Rather than extrapolating this solely to benefits Omega-3, it is important to take into account that sociodemographic characteristics not only influence food availability in house-hold diets but also emotional statue

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Bright Light Therapy

In participants who received at least three weeks of bright light therapy each morning for 1-hr had improvements in their depression scores by a mean of 49%; among participants who completed at least 5 weeks, scores improved by 59% (10)

Caveats in this field of research are that the study pools are low most likely due to the ‘cost vs return’ of investing into studies in this sector

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References:

1. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2013 Nov-Dec; 58(6): 643–653.
2. Lindah l V, Pearson J L, Colpe L. Prevalence of suicidality during pregnancy and the postpartum. Arch Womens Ment Health 2005;8:77–87.
3. Phytomedicine. 2017 Dec 1;36:145-152. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.10.005. Epub 2017 Oct 7.
4. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Sep; 52(3):456-68.
5. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2001 Mar; 80(3):251-5.
6. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Sep 2 ;55(9). Epub 2019 Sep 2. PMID: 31480778
7. J Affect Disord. 2001 Mar;63(1-3):201-7. PMID: 11246096
8. J Integr Med. 2013 Nov;11(6):377-83. doi: 10.3736/jintegrmed2013056.
9. Strom M, Mortensen EL, Halldorsson TI, et al. Fish and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intakes during pregnancy and risk of postpartum depression: a prospective study based on a large national birth cohort. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 90:149–55.
10. Oren DA, Wisner KL, Spinelli M, et al. An open trial of morning light therapy for treatment of antepartum depression. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159:666–9.
11. Hou WH, Chiang PT, Hsu TY, et al. Treatment effects of massage therapy in depressed people: a meta-analysis. J Clin
    Psychiatry 2010;71:894–901.
12. Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, et al. Pregnancy massage reduces prematurity, low birthweight and postpartum depression. Infant Behav Dev 2009;32:454–60.
13. Field T, Diego MA, Hernandez-Reif M, et al. Massage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2004;25:115–22.
14. Coppen A, Bailey J. Enhancement of the antidepressant action of fluoxetine by folic acid: a randomised, placebo controlled trial. J Affect Disord 2000;60:121-30.
15. Mischoulon D, Fava M. Role of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in the treatment of depression: a review of the evidence. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:1158S 61S.
16. Roder C, Schaefer M, Leucht S. Meta analysis of effectiveness and tolerability of treatment of mild to moderate depression with St. John’s Wort [in German]. Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2004;72:330–43.

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Are you currently exposed to phthalates on a regular basis? Were you exposed during early developmental stages—for example, through maternal exposure such as a mother working in a hair salon while pregnant? Have you noticed symptom improvement after reducing phthalate exposure?

Higher phthalate levels have been associated with a two-fold increase in the rate of endometriosis. Phthalates are present in almost anything fragranced and are widely used in soft plastics, vinyl, cleaning products, nail polish, and perfumes. As early as 2002, environmental groups reported that over 70% of personal care products contained phthalates. Today, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 470 million pounds of phthalates are produced each year.

Phthalates are now officially recognised as reproductive toxins throughout both the European Union and the United States. Animal studies show that rats given high doses of certain phthalates stopped ovulating altogether. Phthalates reduce oestrogen production by ovarian follicles—oestrogen being one of the primary drivers of follicle growth and egg development in both animals and humans. Suppression of oestrogen by follicle cells would be expected to impair follicle growth, helping explain why women with endometriosis often exhibit significantly higher phthalate levels than those without the condition.

Potential sources of exposure are extensive. Plastics can leach into food, particularly when food is packaged while hot or stored in plastic for long periods. Personal care products are a major contributor, including cosmetics, hair products, lotions, infant care products, medications, medical devices, nail polish, and perfumes.

Vinyl products are another source, such as shower curtains, flooring, wallpapers, blinds, diaper mats, rain gear, inflatable mattresses, school supplies, car interiors, and yoga mats. Additional exposures may come from air fresheners, electronics, plastic jewellery, sex toys, and children’s toys.

Given their prevalence and biological impact, understanding and minimising phthalate exposure is an important consideration in hormone and reproductive health.