Fight Depression With a Healthy Diet

More than 18 million people in the US suffer from clinical depression, with 28 million taking anti-depressant or anxiety treatments. According to psychotherapist Julia Ross, she considers this a “bad mood epidemic,” suggesting that such moods and emotions are caused by poor nutrition. In her book, The Mood Cure, she stated that the four emotion engines (also known as neurotransmitters) in the brain, which have a particular effect on a person’s mood, each require a varied amino acid fuel.

These four are:
• The Blahs. You feel upbeat and energized when you are high in catecholamines. If your catecholamines are low, you will crash into a bad mood.
• The Dark Cloud of Depression. You will know when you are high in serotonin when you are confident, relaxed and positive. You tend to be irritable and obsessive without it.
• Oversensitive Feelings. A feeling of comfort and euphoria arises when you are high in endorphins; you will be excessively sensitive to harm with the absence of it.
• Anxiety and Stress. Your GABA is high when you feel calm and laid back; without it, you will be stressed and weighed down.

Some research results also say that easing depression symptoms through a change in diet works. With that, it is suggested that you avoid processed foods and consume more fresh and cooked food. Limiting the intake of coffee is also recommended; instead, drink green tea instead antioxidants boost your mood and are good for the body.

Furthermore, instead of eating three heavy meals every day, six to seven small meals can supply your body with more energy, which helps keep you from feeling dejected.