(13-02-11) Be aware of the link between food and depression

by Cindy Jones-Shoeman, citizen journalist


(NaturalNews) It seems that these days more and more people in America suffer
from depression, whether it is considered mild or severe. In fact, according to
the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, over 18 million people in America
suffer from either Major Depressive Disorder or Dysthymic Disorder (mild but
chronic depression) every year. Some people might simply attribute these
numbers to the hectic lifestyle of many Americans and the daily stress they
face, while others might believe that medical professionals are better at
diagnosing the symptoms. However, considering the effects of the "Standard
American Diet" (referred to as "SAD" for a reason), it's best not to dismiss
diet's effect on one's mental state.

For one thing, a diet that consists of highly processed foods has been linked
to depression. Some research has shown that an unhealthy diet lacking in fresh
foods can increase one's risk for depression. A study conducted by the
University College London suggested that a diet high in fruit, vegetables, and
fish decreases a person's risk of depression.

However, there's more. Alcohol, while not strictly a food, is considered a
depressant. Why? It slows the brain, and it can cause depression. More than
that, Radford University says that alcohol can "cause feelings of anxiety,
depression, and often aggression." People who experience depressive tendencies
should avoid alcohol entirely.

Foods that contain sugar and caffeine may also lead to depression. According
to Kansas State University, both sugar and caffeine are often used to increase
alertness; the problem, though, is that a person will eventually "crash"
because caffeine and sugar will raise blood sugar levels initially, but when
those levels drop, depression can set in.

Other sources also cite the following foods as possibly contributing to or
leading to depression:

Too much or too little fat in one's diet

Food allergies

Serotonin-lowering foods (such as eggs)

Low-carb foods


Foods thought to improve the symptoms of depression include foods rich in
Omega-3 fatty acids (such as flaxseed) and foods rich in B vitamins. While
other treatments (such as therapy) help depression as well, what a person eats
should also be considered when treating depressive disorders. Eating unhealthy,
processed, overly-refined foods has been shown to decrease one's sense of well
being, so it's best for people to consider what's on their plate and how it
affects their mental state in addition to their other forms of treatment.

Sources:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8334353.stm
http://www.runet.edu/kcastleb/affec...
http://www.k-state.edu/counseling/t...
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article....
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lou...
http://www.foodforthebrain.org/cont...

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In evidenza

"L'informazione presente nel sito serve a migliorare, e non a sostituire, il rapporto medico-paziente."

Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.