Powerful Spice Fights Depression as Well as Prozac

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Remember Prozac?

You know, Big Pharma’s wildly popular and overprescribed antidepressant darling of the ’90s?

Well, if you’re one of the millions who took it, then you may not remember much.

Personally, I spent a year in a Prozac-induced fog. And to this day, I still have trouble recalling certain events that happened — important ones, too, like the birth of my godchild.

I honestly don’t know what was worse, the deep depression I was experiencing or the drowsiness, confusion, lack of concentration and exhaustion that came along with taking Prozac.

After about a year of walking around in a zombie-like state, I finally weaned myself off it and regained my emotions, memory and alertness.

Don’t get me wrong. Depression is a serious condition and should be treated like one. You can’t just stop taking antidepressants because you feel better without them. Most of these medications require medical supervision to taper off of.

But you should know that there’s a powerful natural solution that research shows could help Prozac work better. And even more amazing — it’s just as effective as Prozac when taken alone. (Just without the brain-numbing side effects.)

--Beat the Blues Naturally

It’s called curcumin.

It’s the active ingredient in the spice turmeric and has been a key player in natural health for thousands of years.

More recently, it’s been touted by health researchers for its anti-inflammatory and brain-protective properties in many studies.

And now it’s proving to be a potent antidepressant.

A study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research involved 60 people diagnosed with major depressive disorder by a commonly used scale randomly split into three groups of 20.

The first group took 20 mg of Prozac with 1 g of curcumin. The second group took only 20 mg of Prozac. The final group took 1 g of curcumin alone.

At the end of the six-week trial, the patients were then given the assessment again.

The folks who took the Prozac and curcumin saw the most significant improvement in their depressive symptoms. However, it wasn’t statistically significant when compared with the results of the other groups.

But what the researchers found next was astounding…

You see, once all the data were gathered, the scientists found that curcumin can fight depression just as well as Prozac!

The scientists went on to explain, “This study provides first clinical evidence that curcumin may be used as an effective and safe modality for treatment in patients with major depressive disorder.”

It’s important to note, though, that curcumin is not suggested for folks who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and other psychotic symptoms along with their depression.

--Strong Evidence, No Side Effects

Curcumin is considered to be very safe in doses up to 12 g a day. The participants in the study were getting only 1 g — a tiny fraction of the possible daily dose of curcumin.

Just imagine how amazing the results might have been if they were given a larger dose!

Not to mention, curcumin has brain-protective powers, which may help improve your brain functions and ward off the age-related memory issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s.

But here’s the best part — unlike Prozac and other antidepressants, curcumin was well tolerated by all participants, which means they experienced little or no side effects. This is great news for folks who have suffered from the draining side effects of standard antidepressants.

While more research is needed, this study has shown that curcumin could one day be the all-natural breakthrough the antidepressant market needs. I sure wish this research was available when I battled depression.

These days, I skip the Prozac. Instead, I add turmeric to at least one meal a day and supplement with curcumin capsules. But I can’t stress enough — depression is a serious condition. You need to check with you doctor before starting, stopping or changing any antidepressant or supplement regimen.

If you’re going to take curcumin supplements, be sure that the brand you select uses “optimized” or “free” curcumin. This type is easiest for your body to absorb and has the greatest impact on your health.

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.


Sources

[1] Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

[2] Prozac Side Effects

[3] Hooked on Pharmaceuticals: Prescription Drug Abuse in America

[4] Curcumin

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

How to Get Your Spouse to Go to the Doctor

The other day, a friend asked me if I thought her husband was trying to hide something because he wouldn’t go to the doctor. It’s a common scenario, I told her—research shows that many men avoid preventative care and doctor’s visits. (Some women are guilty of it, too.) But what if your spouse is clearly...

Read This

Glucose Guardians Discovered at the GROCERY Store!

A new meta-analysis suggests that the spices in your kitchen aren’t just bursting with flavor. They could also deliver hidden health benefits. That’s especially true if you’re concerned about keeping your blood sugar in check. Which, honestly, everyone should be—regardless of whether you’re diabetic or not. The recent study confirmed that several popular spices (some...

Read This

Mailbag: The TRUE Cause of Your Tingly Scalp

“Why do I feel a tingling sensation in my scalp when I’m stressed?” – Anonymous Hi Anonymous, About twenty years ago, I was running on a trail in the early morning light when a fox bolted from the cover. It ran beside me for a few yards before ditching into the woods. I’m guessing the...

Read This

The Hidden (and DEADLY) Cost of Convenience

In our fast-paced, modern world, we’re always on the go, juggling work, family, and social obligations. The frantic pace leaves little time for home-cooked meals. As a result, convenience has become king. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) swoop in to save the day. They beckon us with their bright packaging and promise of ready-to-eat, instant gratification. And...

Read This

Exercise Leaving You in Pain? Try THIS Natural Fix

One of the biggest barriers to building a regular exercise routine is that many folks feel fantastic right after a session, but then they pay for it the following day. Those post-exercise aches and pains alone are enough to prevent most people from even thinking about working out again. But what if I told you...

Read This

Caffeine’s Benefits Go BEYOND the Buzz

Over 60 percent of American adults drink coffee daily—enjoying the caffeine-induced energy boost to jumpstart their day. However, caffeine’s benefits don’t end with that temporary jolt of alertness. It has other potential payoffs, including reducing diabetes risk and body fat. Now, new research reveals those benefits can vary from person to person… and the surprising...

Read This

Live LONGER and HEALTHIER with the “Grocery Cart Challenge”

Nobody on the planet who grabs something from a vending machine, thinking, “This is a healthy choice.” So, if we KNOW it isn’t good for us, why do we do it? Well, often it’s for convenience. We’re hungry and in a hurry, so grab-and-go foods fit the bill. But that’s not the only reason we...

Read This

BEWARE of the “Coffee Trap” [UNDOES Benefits]

Longtime Living Well Daily readers know I love my coffee. Powerful antioxidants and other healthy compounds in coffee deliver various health benefits. In fact, studies confirm a regular coffee habit may reduce the risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, and liver disease. It also provides a temporary boost in energy and focus that many people rely on...

Read This

Frailty Leads to a Shorter Painful Life? [Surprising FIX]

Aging sure isn’t for sissies. You have to be tough as nails to manage it gracefully. Everything gets a bit more challenging. Whether it’s diet, exercise, or reducing specific risk factors, you often have to work harder to get the same results. Eventually, all the so-called “diseases of aging” start nipping at your heels, from...

Read This

Mailbag: Taste Buds in Turmoil? The Cause of Metallic Mouth

“Should I be concerned about a metallic taste in my mouth? It happens on occasion but isn’t every day.” – Mark Hi Mark, Many people experience a metallic taste that will not go away, and it can be caused by several different things. The most common cause of “metallic mouth” is poor oral health. Gum...

Read This