Ask Dr. Mike: Does Higher Elevation Make Depression Worse?

Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.

Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:

I have a history of depression and my family is moving to Montana. I've read that depression happens more in higher elevations (we're currently living in Houston). If this is the case, what can I do?

There was a study published in March 2015 in High Altitude Medicine and Biology that said there is an increase of depression at higher elevations. In the study, rats were exposed to high altitude conditions (both simulated and real), and they increased depression-like behavior.

Dr. Mike suggests doing a few things to help prevent depression like symptoms, such as taking tryptophan, lysine, and saffron supplements.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.