January 2004

The five stages of pregnancy: Postpartum depression

by Dr. Howard Loomis

The nutritional aspects of pregnancy do not end when the baby is born. Postpartum depression is a condition that describes a range of physical and emotional changes that many mothers encounter after having a baby. I will conclude this series of columns on pregnancy with the nutritional aspects of postpartum depression that are suffered by many women. There may be various etiological factors involved, but I will only address the nutritional components of the problem.

Appearance of symptoms

The appearance of symptoms signals exhaustion of the body's ability to maintain homeostasis and represents the normal functions that are no longer occurring appropriately. The functions are now occurring too fast, too slow, or incompletely because they are forced to compensate for stress.

The nutritional component of postpartum depression is serotonin deficiency, which is accompanied by an exhaustion of alkaline minerals. Both are nutritionally related to the inability to properly digest and assimilate fatty acids. In most cases, compensation comes in the form of excessive ingestion of foods high in white sugar and flour.

The symptoms of serotonin deficiency are increased feelings of stress and tension, an exaggerated reaction when startled, decreased ability to concentrate, and loss of appetite. These symptoms are also consistent with sympathetic dominance. The common nutritional component in both clinical syndromes is exhaustion of intracellular alkaline minerals, primarily potassium.

Symptoms related to autonomic nervous system imbalance can be understood on the basis of whether the cell is becoming deficient in K+ and OH‑ (alkaline), or Ca++ and H+ (acid). For example, a deficiency of Ca++ and H+ inside the cell produces symptoms of parasympathetic dominance. However, a deficiency of K+ and OH‑ inside the cell produces symptoms of sympathetic dominance. The most common cause of alkaline mineral deficiency is excessive ingestion of refined white sugars and white flour products.

Nutritional etiology

The body produces three neurotransmitters directly from the food we eat. Two amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan, are used to produce the neurotransmitters that control the mood. Dopamine and norepinephrine are alertness chemicals that use the amino acid tyrosine as a precursor. Serotonin, a calming chemical, uses the amino acid tryptophan as a precursor.

Almost all protein foods contain much larger amounts of tyrosine than tryptophan. There are a limited number of receptor sites for these amino acids. Due to the abundance of tyrosine, these amino acids are not consumed in equal proportions. Eating protein provides plenty of tyrosine for alertness chemical production. However, an insufficient amount of tryptophan is provided for calming chemical production.

Fortunately, after a protein meal, any unused tryptophan is attached to albumin and continues to be carried in the blood. Then, when a high carbohydrate meal is eaten, insulin is released and allows tryptophan to attach to the receptor sites. This increases serotonin production, which exerts a calming effect.

A study in the late 1980s measured reflex times and memory of geriatric patients. The factors were measured before and after the ingestion of separate protein and carbohydrate test meals. The study confirmed that reflex times and alertness can be significantly improved within 30 minutes of digesting only protein. It also confirmed that serenity and memory can be improved within 30 minutes of ingesting only carbohydrates. The study reported that the 30 minute response was canceled by the inclusion of fat in the test meal.

Continual reflex arc

You recall that fatty acid metabolism is closely involved in the ability to conceive, carry the fetus to term, commence labor, and initiate and continue lactation. Adequate ingestion of good quality lipids and proper digestion and absorption of lipids are equally vital to the entire reproduction cycle.

The patients who have difficulty digesting lipids suffer from hydrochloric acid deficiencies and biliary stasis. Invariably they consume excessive amounts of refined simple sugars and function quite well in this state until the symptoms of alkaline mineral deficiency, sympathetic dominance, and serotonin deficiency become evident. This results in the various symptoms of postpartum depression including, stress, tension, an exaggerated reaction when startled, decreased ability to concentrate, and loss of appetite.

Digestion begins in the mouth with the chewing of food and the addition of saliva that contains water, enzymes, and the alkaline minerals, sodium and potassium. However, these salivary secretions are reduced during periods of emotional stress and psychic conditions, such as fear and anger. Thus, the body is a continual reflex arc and its nutritional components must be addressed.

It was never my intention to write a definitive text on the nutritional aspects of pregnancy but only to touch on the basics. A single request was made prior to one of my seminars that prompted me to explore this topic further. This series turned out to be quite a learning adventure for me and I hope that it has been helpful for you as well.

(Dr. Loomis welcomes input on the subjects covered in this column. To make a comment or ask a question, or to receive a free copy of his video titled, "Using Enzymes in Clinical Practice: The Loomis System," call 800/662‑2630 or write to him at 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719. Visit www.loomisenzymes.com online for information on upcoming Loomis Institute seminars.)