A new study posted for review by a major North eastern university discovered that in a time span of ten years [in this case, 1996 – 2005], antidepressant use increased twofold. In that time the number of mood stabilizer users in the U.S. increased from 13.3 million to 27 million. What makes this number stand out is this means a total of ten percent of the total American population is clinically depressed and under a physician’s care.
Quite likely there are copious reasons behind this wave of depression throughout society, which can be left for someone else to determine the cause. Clued in dieticians will tell you that many patients they see undertaking diet and lifestyle modifications were rewarded not only in weight loss and better fitness but there was an increase in their well being and mental state.
Given there is no proof that diet will alter mood and there is no particular diet that acts to boost a person a person out of the doldrums, something is working. Medical experts appear to agree that when a person undergoes a lifestyle change accompanied by certain dietary guidelines, there is an opportunity to make a difference in their outlook and treating clinical depression.
When specific nutrients remain present in the system, like vitamins, minerals, water, carbohydrates protein and fat, these are vital to sustaining a healthy body with all the utilities in good working order – that includes the brain. When a person eats a healthy and stable diet, these nutrients abound in adequate quantities.
On the same token, if certain nutrients are not available to the body, unhelpful consequences will begin to become apparent, and that goes for the brain as well. In a nutshell, both the body and mind require a healthy diet in order to remain at peak function otherwise the person will become ill.
When a person becomes stressed out or depressed the first thing to suffer is their energy level. When energy is depleted there is little left to sustain the rest of their health requirements. Many will lose the desire to eat and begin to lose interest in how they appear to others. They might smoke more and drink too much alcohol and the result is a descent leading to despair. Some may cope by eating too much junk food laden with sugar and carbs so many simply add weight gain to the list of symptoms.
The good news is carbs also have a capability to raise a person’s spirits, boosting their mood as it were with pastries, bread etc. which increases serotonin levels within the brain, the result being a calming influence overall. When it comes to reducing the symptoms of depression, carbohydrates are actually a good thing. One needs to remember that not all carbohydrates are created equal. There are fruits, veggies, and legumes, which contain carbs along with whole grain bread rather than white flour choices. These are certainly wiser options for carbs rather than the standard food made with refined carbohydrates.
Another fine revitalize is protein. When ingesting foods that are deep with protein you are also consuming an amino acid called tyrosine that will increase amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These are necessary for our alert response and the ability to concentrate. We find protein not just in meat and poultry but also in dairy goods, soy, beans and fish. Protein is especially important as a food staple to start your day, so enjoy it at breakfast.
Research is really just at the beginning stages for omega 3 fatty acids that are found in fish, particularly salmon, flax seed and nuts. There have been clinical findings that lead experts to believe that a shortfall in omega 3 fatty acids is connected to depression.
The safeguarding effect of antioxidants on our health proves the importance of eating whole grains, vegetables and fruits. The brain is particularly susceptible to the damage caused by free radicals, the dangerous molecules created innately in our bodies during digestion. However, they are also in our environment in the form of pollution, which everyone is hurt by to some extent.
These destructive free radicals run rampant within us doing harm to our cellular base and causing diseases such as cancer and are responsible for rapid aging. Therefore, antioxidants like vitamin C and E, plus beta-carotene have displayed their effectiveness at fighting these free radicals. The antioxidants strengthen the inner defenses of the body at the cellular level thwarting the devastating effects of the free radicals. They are paramount in the battle to protect us from disease and some evidence shows they can slow the aging process as well.
A shortfall in vitamin D can be another latent reason leading to depression. A lack of exposure to sunshine is a common problem with the working population and the senior citizens. Fortunately, a scarcity of vitamin D can be overcome with supplements and a healthy diet. A person should be getting tested for a lack of vitamin D often.
There is so much more to learn about depression. There is ample cause to accept the fact that the quest for healthful living and a well balanced diet can weigh positively in the fight against depression when it is beyond our own ability to cope with it.
Thu, Oct 1, 2009
Health And Aging, Lifestyle