[humanfromearth9]

The first thing I would do in case of depression is to make sure that the patient's energy levels are good and that mitochondria and other energy-related biochem phenomena work as expected.

I know first-hand that low energy-levels and lacking energy production mechanically lead to depression.

Also, look at how people (children also) experience the world and their relationships and their stresses when they are tired (or even just hungry) compared to when they are fit...

Fix those, and the depression might be gone.

This is not bashing against anti-depressants, they play their role to. But in some cases, energy-management is key.

[nikolatt]

Thank you for the comment. This is not in my area of expertise, so I hope you can clarify - how does one test that "mitochondria and other energy-related biochem phenomena work as expected"?

[ibeckermayer]

There are tests out there like https://www.chrismasterjohn-phd.com/mitome

(No affiliation, just have been subscribed to the founder’s substack for a while)

[Aerbil313]

Just as an example, here is a small part of it: MTFHR mutation causes megaloblastic anemia: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45085439

[StiviGee]

Second the question

[francisofascii]

It's interesting that one way to improve mitochondrial dysfunction is getting sunlight, the same way you get Vitamin D.