How to Avoid Weight Gain While Taking Antidepressants

Many people who take antidepressants for various reasons experience a negative by product of antidepressants: weight gain.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is unclear why antidepressants cause weight gain, but weight gain is a commonly reported side effect of almost all antidepressant medications that are currently on the market.

While antidepressants may help one problem, the weight gain caused by them can cause a whole host of other health problems. Because of this, it's important to consider how to eliminate or at the very least reduce weight gain caused by antidepressants.

Here are some suggestions on how to reduce weight gain caused by antidepressants:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. BE AWARE THAT ANTIDEPRESSANTS CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN
   
   The first step to avoiding gaining massive amounts of weight while taking antidepressants is to be aware of the link between weight gain and antidepressants. Those who are unaware may pack on many pounds before they realize it. If you're aware of the fact that antidepressants cause weight gain, and you monitor your weight carefully while taking antidepressants, you'll be less likely to pack on as many pounds while taking antidepressants.

2. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT POTENTIAL WEIGHT GAIN CAUSED BY ANTIDEPRESSANTS
   
   Be sure to keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctor regarding your concerns about gaining weight while taking antidepressants. Your doctor can advise you about the best way to avoid gaining weight while taking antidepressants, and can help you monitor your weight as part of your overall health plan.

3. TAKE AS LOW OF A DOSE OF ANTIDEPRSSANTS AS POSSIBLE, TO AVOID OR REDUCE WEIGHT GAIN
   
   Generally speaking, higher doses of antidepressants cause more weight gain than lower doses. If you are already experiencing weight gain as a result of taking antidepressants, talk to your doctor about lowering the dosage of the antidepressant you are taking. If you are just beginning to take antidepressants, discuss the option of starting with a very low dose with your doctor. Either way, do not decide on your own to reduce the dosage of your antidepressants; the change in medication should be made with your doctor's input.

4. CONSIDER CHANGING THE TYPE OF ANTIDEPRESSANT YOU ARE TAKING TO REDUCE WEIGHT GAIN
   
   According to Dr. Magdalena R. Naylor, MD, PhD, director, MindBody Medicine Clinic, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Prozac and Welbutrin are believed to cause less weight gain and can often be substituted for **** or Zoloft, antidepressants known to cause a lot of weight gain. Again, discuss the possibilities with your doctor.

5. CONSIDER DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
   
   Debbie Mandel, author of Turn on Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind, and Soul recommends consumption of foods rich in Omega threes such as fatty fish, walnuts, etc. Omega three supplements can also be taken. Omega three can work as a natural antidepressant and can also help to stablize blood sugar levels.

6. REDUCE CALORIC INTAKE AND INCREASE EXERCISE
   
   Regardless of the cause of weight gain, the tried and true method of weight loss remains the same - - burn more calories than you take in. Eat sensibly, with a good balance of foods, focusing in on a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates such as brown rice. In addition to eating healthy foods, get your body moving with some form of exercise. Ideally, exercise should include both aerobic and anaerobic (e.g. weight lifting) exercise, but if you're going to do only one or the other, aerobic exercise is a great place to start. Aerobic exercise can be as simple as taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood.

7. SET REALISTIC GOALS
   
   When following the above suggestions, it is important to set realistic weight loss goals. Jeff Rutstein, author of Strengthening the Body to Heal the Mind, encourages those who have gained weight as a side effect of antidepressants, to set attainable goals and not to expect quick results. As is often true, slow and steady wins the race when attempting to lose weight that was gained for any reason, including weight gained as a side effect of taking antidepressants.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid the unpleasant side effects of drugs, consider using natural medicine to treat yourself as much as possible.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic
• I Village
• Natural Medicine Advice

[reysmommy1123]

on 10/10/2009 Wow!!! Another great read!!! Great tips and wonderful information!!! 5*****