Are You Sabotaging Your Recovery From Depression?
Do you suffer from chronic depression? Are you being treated with anti depressant medication and talk therapy? Are these treatments working for you? These treatments seem to work for many people. I have been on Zoloft for over two years and am feeling probably the best that I ever have been in my entire life. Medication has come a long way.
Unfortunately there are others who cannot seem to get the same effects. Is this you? No matter which meds they try and regardless of who they talk to they can’t seem to find relief. What’s so disturbing is that this is not uncommon. Depression is a complex disease that affects as many as 20 million people and we are all different.
It’s not easy for a therapist or doctor when it comes to figuring out just the right combination of medication and talk therapy considering just how different we all are and how differently we respond to treatment. Wouldn’t it be helpful if we could put ourselves in a position where we had a much better chance of getting these treatments to work?
Studies have shown that there is a definite link between an individual’s diet and the devastating symptoms that depression causes.
The Diet to Prevent Depression
There is scientific evidence that proves that certain foods can help to eliminate the symptoms associated with depression. Furthermore, conclusive research has even shown that by ingesting certain types of ingredients within foods, you can actually even prevent depression from occurring in the first place. Here is a look at some of the essential foods and ingredients that can prove to be absolutely vital to your mental health.
1. Omega 3 fatty acids that are contained in fish oils are essential to relieve and prevent depression. Research, the most recent study was conducted by Ohio State University has shown that depressed people often lack the correct balance of fatty acids The current recommendations allow up to two servings each week of cold-water fish — the best source of omega-3 — such as salmon or trout.
2. B complex vitamins especially B12 has been very successful when it comes to treating depression and elevating mood. What’s not clear is whether depression is the cause or the result of low levels of B complex vitamins. You can get these vitamins from items like spinach, salads, avocados, and similar items.
3. Minerals are vital when it comes to relieving depression. There are several minerals including magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese and potassium that have been shown deficient in people suffering from depression. Iron deficiency, also known as Anemia for example has been found to be a major offender when it comes to depression. These minerals can be found in a wide array of foods including many vegetables and meats.
Foods to Avoid
Just as there are certain foods that actually work to reduce the possibility of developing and enduring symptoms that are associated with the “blues”, there are certain foods, beverages, and ingredients that should be avoided or if you are experiencing depression or even if you are prone to depression.
1. Decreasing carbohydrates has been found to be extremely beneficial when it comes to combating depression. Carbohydrates actually increase serotonin and relieve depression in the short term. The problem is that after the high is complete the depressed mood returns - usually worse than before.
2. Caffeine should be avoided when you are prone to depression. Caffeine is a stimulant that can get you feeling “up”. However, it too can bring you “down” really quickly.
3. Alcohol should be avoided as it is a natural depressant.
3. Foods that contain a large amount of sugar should also be avoided as they can cause serious fluctuations with the metabolism in the body.
4. Salts should also be avoided in excess when one is prone to depression.
Conclusion
We have all heard the saying “you are what you eat” and this is especially true if you suffer from depression. The symptoms of depression are not easy to treat being different people respond differently to different treatment options.
One thing that is certain is that by maintaining a healthy diet you can relieve or even prevent depression altogether. I would suggest that you begin with a combination of a liquid multi-vitamin such as Body Balance ( click on the link in the right sidebar for more information ) and Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules. ( you can get more information by clicking on the link above )
This entry was posted
on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 3:18 am and is filed under Depression, Nutrition, Vitamins |
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