Treating Depression with Food
Depression affects millions of men and women across the nation. It can be triggered by childbirth, hormonal changes, trauma, seasonal changes, stress, and nutritional deficiencies. Men and women with depression respond differently to the feelings of sadness, guilt, and hopelessness associated with depression. Women tend to withdraw into themselves and may spend long hours sleeping or crying, feeling as though they are unable to cope. Men, on the other hand, often express aggression and anger when they struggle with depression.
Depending on the cause and severity of depression, the chemical imbalance associated with the disorder can be treated and alleviated with food.
The Connection between Diet and Depression
Oftentimes, when someone is suffering from depression, they will visit their family physician or psychiatrist who will then prescribe anti-depressant medication. The trouble with this approach is that while it may stop the symptoms for a short while, it does nothing to address the underlying cause.
A diet high in processed foods such as soda, donuts, microwave meals, canned food, and fast food can cause nutritional deficiencies that can lead to the development of depression. In order to function well, your brain needs a rich supply of vitamins and essential minerals. If your diet is extremely poor, your brain will be deprived of nutrients and your mental health will suffer.
Another reason diet and depression are so closely linked is many people have undiagnosed food intolerance. The most common dietary cause of depression, anxiety, and psychosis is gluten intolerance. Gluten is a sticky protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and some oats. If you are intolerant to gluten and eat foods containing it, the cilli in your gut will become flattened due to chronic inflammation. This prevents nutrients from being absorbed into your system, which can cause the symptoms of mental illness.
Food for Depression – Top Foods to Beat the Blues
When it comes to finding food for depression, whole food is always your best choice. Your body and brain need foods that are rich in healing nutrients.
Natural mood-boosting foods include:
- Wild-Caught Salmon – Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids to help support brain health and cognitive function.
- Brown Rice – Brown rice helps support healthy blood sugar levels and prevents the glucose spikes that can trigger depressed mood. It also contains B vitamins to help your body better cope with everyday stressors.
- Walnuts – Walnuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids to feed the brain and treat depression.
- Leafy Green Vegetables – Another good food for depression is dark, leafy greens. They are loaded with magnesium to help support your neurological health.
- Flax Seed – Yet another good source of omega-3 fatty acids, milled flax seed can be added to organic yogurt or salad to reduce inflammation and fight depression.
The best rule to follow when looking for foods for depression is to eat healthy. This means cutting the junk from your diet and replacing it with whole foods such as lean meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Also, don’t forget about healthy fats. Even if you’re on a diet, your body absolutely needs good fat to avoid mood swings, irritability, and depression. So eat plenty of extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, and nut butters.
Depression can sometimes be a sign that something more serious is going on. However, eliminating junk foods that contain food dyes and other preservatives and replacing it with whole food may be all you need to get back to feeling like yourself again. If your depression worsens or you have thoughts of suicide, speak with a crisis counselor immediately.
For mild depression, there’s no more natural way to beat the blues than through a healthy, whole-food diet!
Join the Mailing List
« previous post
5 Alternative Treatments for E...
As the body ages, its way of handling various kinds of medicines and surgery is markedly d...
next post »
What Your Poop and Pee are Try....
++ Click to Enlarge Image ++
Source:What Your Poop and Pee Mean
Leave a Reply
No trackbacks yet.
Posts with similar tags
- Physical Effects of Depression and Anxiety
Tens of millions of people have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Many people when they think about the effects that depression and anxiety will often cause on people suffering with these disorders relate most often to the emotional anguish that people with these diagnoses often experience. Aside from the emotional suffering which can be...
Posts in similar categories
- No Panic – Cure Panic Attacks with the Linden Method
Do you remember when you could do anything, go anywhere without experiencing debilitating anxiety attacks? Panic attacks are one of the most horrible things anyone can go through. I should know. I had my first panic attack when I was 15 years old. I literally thought I was going to die. I felt weak, shaky,... - The Shocking Truth About Child Behavioral Problems
Are you struggling with your child’s bad behavior? You’re not alone. Millions of frustrated parents just like you are practically tearing their hair out trying to figure out what’s causing their child’s behavioral problems. Before you take him to the nearest psychiatrist, let me share a secret with you. Behavior disorders don’t just happen. They’re... - Why Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Mood Swings
Do you have mood swings, depression or anxiety you can’t quite explain? Oftentimes, mood swings can indicate undiagnosed vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Why Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Mood Swings
Vitamin deficiencies and mood swings go hand in hand. It’s very common for both men and women to be diagnosed with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and... - Top 10 Uses for Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is amazing. I can’t say enough about this stuff. I’ve been using coconut oil for everything lately. I started out using it medicinally for some ongoing gynecological issues. Then, I started using it as a skin cream and a hair conditioner. A friend of the family recently revealed he uses coconut oil for... - Kill Your Cold with This Easy Honey Remedy!
I don’t know about you but I suffer from a lot of sinus problems due to an over-reactive immune system. Immune system problems run on both sides of my family so I was kind of doomed to be an infection magnet. Whether it’s food, chemicals, pollen, dust, mold or pet dander, you better believe my... - Beyond Natural Health: Author Varun Gupta Discusses the Miracle of Homeopathy
What is homeopathy? Some natural health practitioners use the term “natural” and “homeopathic” interchangeably but homeopathy, while in the realm of natural healing, is in a class by itself. It can be difficult to define homeopathy since it is a method of energy healing that involves the taking of a physical substance. In this interview,... - How to Detoxify Your Body When You Have an Autoimmune Disease
If you live with an autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s, celiac, lupus, fibromyalgia or similar condition, your body is much more sensitive to toxic load from stress, the environment and your diet. Chances are your body also has a harder time eliminating these toxins, leaving you tired, drained and irritable. This article will explain how to... - Preserving your Calm: Panic Attacks and Food Preservatives
While panic attacks are physically harmless for the most part, they
are unpleasant, frightening and, left untreated, can have a devastating effect on everyday life. Anyone who has visited the
doctor with symptoms of sweating, shortness of breath, heart hammering, dizziness and dread, will have discovered these attacks can be alleviated by a variety of treatments. However, the question
remains of... - Does Gluten Intolerance Cause Aggression in Children?
Is your child acting strangely? Does he become enraged or hysterical at the slightest provocation? Is she having difficulty learning in school? All children act up once in the while but if your child seems almost constantly upset and aggressive, the problem may be something you’ve never thought of. Find out more about how gluten... - How to Crap Your Way to Good Mental Health
I love talking about bowel movements. No, really. I’m not trying to be gross
here but if more people would openly discuss their bowel habits, we might be a healthier society. Not only can constipation make you physically sick, it can also contribute to poor mental health. Read on.
What is Constipation?
Constipation is medically characterized by...
Recent Post
-
End Sleepless Nights – Treat Anxiety and Insomnia Naturally
by admin with No Comments
For some people, sleep comes easily. They climb into bed, get under the covers and are out like a light within ten or twenty minutes. They sleep s... -
Why are People Crazy – The Hidden Plot to Drive Americans Insane
by admin with No Comments
It seems like every week you hear a horrific story about some “maniac” picking up a weapon and murdering a group of unsuspecting people. It’... -
Don’t Quit Junk Food Cold Turkey
by admin with 2 Comments
If you’ve been eating the Standard American Diet of fast food, boxed food, canned food, convenience meals, and instant anything for most of your... -
Top 21 Healthy Quotes
by admin with No Comments
Looking for some healthy inspiration? Here are my top 21 healthy quotes.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." - Benjamin F... -
Ease Skin Sensitivity Naturally
by admin with No Comments
When your skin is sensitive to everything, daily living can be a challenge. I get a kiss on the cheek and I break out. It’s terrible. Can you re...