Posted by aeon on November 17, 2006, at 18:46:03
In reply to Re: A new experience - happiness! » aeon, posted by blueberry on November 17, 2006, at 17:33:54
Hi Blueberry
Prostaglandins are compounds that are derived from fatty acids. They are essentially hormones. The study of prostaglandins is nowhere near as advanced as other compounds though that is changing.
I won't get all scientific and technical, but essentially they modulate your state of "wellness". They are the link between the immune system - which has no specific signalling molecule, and the rest of the body, particularly the brain.
When the body is in a state of inflammation, or perceives itself to be, prostaglandins of the series 2 are released. These have wide and varied effects, but basically they are what signals your brain that "Something is wrong". They amplify pain messages, make you feel unwell, make you cry if that is how your brain responds, and generally make you feel like sh*t. It is prostaglandins that give people miserable feelings when they have a flu, prostaglandins that make women with PMS feel like sh*t, prostaglandins that intitate baby blues, and prostaglandins that are making you depressed right now (not serotonin, NE, or DA - sorry that is your brains RESPONSE to the chronically high levels of prostaglandin series 2 in your body.
There are three types of Prostaglandins (PGE's) 1,2, 3.
Series 1 and 3 are good guys and are beneficial. The more of these floating around the more well you will feel, because the brain and body respond to them with positive get aup and go, happy chemicals. PGE 2's on the other hand signal your body and brain that you are unwell and initiate sickness behaviours.
When you take prozac you are trying to trick the brain to make you feel well even though it knows you are not because of the low levels of PGE1,3 and out of control PGE2's.
All prostaglandins are made from fatty acids,. Series 1 from GLA, series 2 from Arachidonic Acid, and Series 3 from EPA (The fraction of fish oil we are concerned about)
EPA also interrupts the conversion of GLA to Arachidonic Acid.
Quercetin is an antioxidant but that is not what I use it for. It inhibits POTENTLY the enzyme COX 2 (Cyclo-oxegenase 2) which is what tells your cells to produce more PGE 2's in the first place. It is the inflammation enzyme.DHA will not do the job. It is an end product of the Omega 6 series of fatty acids. It is heathful, but does not create prostaglandins. Look for the highest EPA Pharmaceutical grade fish oil you can find.
Basically my theory is that depression is an illnes of inflammation, and that this is happening to us because our natural oil balance has been disrupted, and we are genetically sucpetible to that. Others might get arthritis, heart disease, whatever.
With supplements people tend to take them because they heard that this or that is good for this or that problem. I am not suggesting that. The three prongs here are 1. Stop inflammation
2. Suplly the body with what it needs to create good feelings.
3. Limit the amount of bad fats that get converted to Arachidonic Acid and then PGE2's.Try this: Go and lie down for ten minutes and FEEL your body. You will feel what I am talking about. It is in distress, it feels unwell. Depression goes right down to your toes, it is not in the mind. Every cell in your body is pumping out these prostaglandins so you will stay in your "cave" and get well.
Cheers
Aeon
poster:aeon
thread:704435
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20061013/msgs/704656.html