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Changes in Your Diet May be Your Depression Cure

According to Mental Health America (formerly Mental health Association of America), 21 million adults and children experience depression each year. The WHO (World Health Organization) says it is the leading cause of disability in 15-44 year old people. Another source predicts that by 2030, depression will be the second largest illness in America. Depression often co-occurs with a chronic medical condition.

The American diet in general is associated with obesity and depression. Fast food has certain types of sugars and carbohydrates that can contribute to depression. Diet is just one factor that can contribute to depression. There are other factors include a genetic predisposition and environmental influence.

Fad dieting should be abolished, but it is still popular with new diets popping up all the time. Fad diets why they are bad is because they lack the essential nutrients needed for general health, and could cause some dangerous side effects. Fad diets why they are bad is because they can contribute to the development of depression.

There are many vitamins and minerals our body needs to function well. If you do not eat a healthy balanced diet you may become deficient in one or more of these nutrients. This can lead to the development of depression. Deficiencies can be created by medical conditions as well.

Depression is the result of the malfunction or insufficient use, or insufficient amounts of the neuro transmitters in the brain that affect our mood and emotion. The three most common neurotransmitters involved with depression are serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

There are many dietary deficiencies that are linked to depression. One of the most recent we hear about is
Omega 3 fatty acids. In some depression trials, large amounts of these fatty acids were given to treat depression successfully.

The B Vitamins affect your mood and B Vitamin deficiencies have been linked to depression. Folate has been used to treat depression with successful results. As we age we are more likely to be deficient in B12. Vitamin B -6 interacts with proteins and increases serotonin levels.

There are many mineral deficiencies that can be linked to depression. Just a few of these include: magnesium, zinc, and iron (hemoglobin). Supplementation of deficient vitamins may be your depression cure.

You need to be careful with dietary supplements. You can overdose on vitamins. Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs are some mixtures might not be safe. You can not skip meals and take a vitamin instead. If you take the recommended doses, toxicity is rare. Vitamin overdose symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a rash.

Everybody should take a multivitamin that contain all the essential and non-essential nutrients your body needs every day. There are multivitamin formulas for men, women and children. Taking a multivitamin is easier and cheaper than taking several vitamin pills. If you are already taking a multivitamin and are deficient in something, you will only have to take one more supplement.

If you are going to take vitamin supplements you need to learn about them. Speak with your physician about what you may need regarding supplements. You do not want to be an eccentric vitamin taker and risk having adverse affect from them.

Some experts believe that antidepressants are over prescribed and that people are often quick to find a pill to heal their ailment. Antidepressants come with their own safety warnings and side effects. Perhaps they have been prescribed more than necessary in recent years, but for clinical depression they are necessary.

A well balanced healthy diet with regular exercise may be the best depression cure. See a nurtionist if you need help learning what to eat and how to balance the food groups. A balanced diet must include dairy products, protein, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, and fats. You should also eat three snacks a day to keep your energy up related to your blood sugar. This is the opposite of what we have been taught to 'Never eat between meals'.

Do not go out and try to find your depression cure on your own. Get help with your dietary needs. See a nutritionist and talk to your doctor. Learn good eating habits and regular exercise and continue them for the rest of your life. If you are still depressed after making some changes you should see a psychiatrist.

About the Author

John Hubert is the author of The Depression Cure ebook and is a researcher of Fad Diets Why Are They Bad

Author Profile: bizzero3

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