Use of Relora in Depression

According the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, major depressive disorder affects about 14.8 million American age 18 and older annually. The alliance also notes that depression may contribute to or coincide with other illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart attacks and cancer. The number of life stressors in our modern society contribute to the heavy stress many Americans feel, and studies show a strong correlation between high levels of stress and depression. Countering this depression epidemic starts with countering stress.

What Does Relora Do?

• In his book "Relora: The Natural Breakthrough to Losing Stress-Related Fat and Wrinkles," Dr. James B. Lavalle writes: "Relora tackles the effects of stress head-on, enhancing mental, emotional and physical vitality." According to Lavalle's book, Relora is a supplement that contains ingredients from two plants that have been used in Chinese medicine for more than 1,500 years. These ingredients are Phellodendron amurense and Magnolia officinalis. Relora works with your body's natural hormones. It helps reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase levels of DHEA, which regulates the body's stress response. A study conducted by Next Pharmaceuticals Inc. in which 40 overweight women ages 25 to 50 with anxiety were given either a placebo or 750 milligrams of Relora. The results of the six-week study showed that the group who received the Relora supplement fell asleep faster and reported reduced stress and anxiety. Relora also has been shown to help people lose weight because it soothes stress that may lead to increased appetite, or "stress eating."

Relora and You

• Lavalle provides a list in his book of warning signs of stress. These include depression, insomnia, learning difficulties, irritability, forgetfulness, back pain, nervousness and anxiety.

  Supplementing with Relora for depression and associate disorders instead of using a psychiatric drug can be beneficial because many prescribed psychiatric drugs carry the risk of negative side effects drugs and/or dependency. Lavalle notes in his book that Relora's formula is non-sedating.

  It is important to talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescribed medication or before beginning a new supplement regimen. As reported in the study by Next Pharmaceuticals, supplementing with up to 750 mg can yield the benefits of reduced stress, anxiety and depression.

  There are many brands of Relora on the market, all of which contain the similar active ingredients; Relora can be found online, at most organic supermarkets or in health stores.