Dr. Allison Smith, ND: Depression & The DUTCH Test: A Holistic Assessment

Dr. Allison Smith, ND: Depression & The DUTCH Test: A Holistic Assessment

Depression impacts more than 100 million people globally and remains one of the most challenging conditions to treat. As a multifactorial condition, no single approach works for everyone – treatment needs to be tailored to each individual.

Watch to learn more about:
– How chronic stress, sex hormone imbalances, and prolonged HPA axis activation affect neurotransmitter systems and influence mood and cognition
– Using the DUTCH Plus test to help uncover seven contributing factors in depression, offering a clearer picture of what may be driving symptoms
– How to interpret and use results from a DUTCH report to help guide personalized lifestyle plans through a real-life case study
– Details in the DUTCH OATs panel which point to other potential contributors in depression such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and key deficiencies such as B12 and B6  
– Practical insights you can apply right away in your practice

Key Moments:
00:00 Introduction to Depression and the Dutch Test
03:08 Understanding Depression: A Multifactorial Approach
05:57 The Role of HPA Axis and Cortisol in Depression
08:58 Cortisol Patterns and Their Implications for Treatment
11:48 Cortisol Clearance Rate and Its Impact on Depression
14:55 COMT Activity and Its Connection to Depression
17:57 The Influence of Sex Hormones on Depression
21:01 Estrogen Metabolism and Its Role in Mood Regulation
30:30 Understanding Hormonal Influences on Depression
33:16 The Role of Androgens in Mood Regulation
36:57 Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Depression
42:53 Nutritional Deficiencies and Their Impact on Mental Health
45:26 The Gut Microbiome’s Connection to Depression
47:49 Case Study: Integrative Management of Depression
56:55 Conclusion and Future Directions